- 26
- July
- 2025
Still undefeated, Lebanon continues to put on a show in its own Beirut Cup. This time, Syria fell victim to Perisic’s men, soundly beaten, despite what the final score might suggest.
Three out of three for Lebanon! Gearing up for the Asia Cup in Jeddah, Miodrag Perisic’s squad keeps sending strong signals. After beating Jordan and then Iran, it was Syria’s turn to face Lebanon’s depth and efficiency. A clear victory, calmly secured in a packed Nouhad Nawfal Arena: 79–69 at the final buzzer, with an overall impression of full control.
A Game Never Really in Danger
Lebanon led from start to finish—almost literally. After a calm first quarter (17–12), the men in red stepped it up before halftime, helped by Ali Mezher’s accuracy and Youssef Khayat’s activity (43–36 at halftime). Even when Syria tried to hang on, Lebanon always had an immediate answer. Defensive intensity, offensive variety, and—most of all—a solid team chemistry already in place.
Khayat Takes Charge
Once again, Youssef Khayat showed why he’s at the heart of the project. Clean, powerful, and consistent, the Michigan-trained forward finished as top scorer with 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, standing out as the athletic leader of this new-look team.
Special mentions go to Sergio El Darwich (11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists), Ali Mezher (11 points, 5 assists), and the naturalized Dedric Lawson (10 points, 6 rebounds), who continues to shine in the finer details.
Syria Gritty but Overmatched
On Syria’s end, the effort was there—often wholehearted, but rarely precise. Anthony Bakar (14 points) and American guard Kerron DeShields (13 points, 7 assists) tried to inject rhythm into the game, with limited success. The interior suffered against Lebanon’s size and depth, despite solid efforts from Mohammad Aatli (10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks).
Perisic Rotates, the Machine Delivers
Serbian coach Miodrag Perisic is taking full advantage of the Beirut Cup to experiment with different lineups. Without Ali Haidar, Omar Jamaleddine, or Hayk Gyokchyan, he’s giving minutes to everyone—and they’re stepping up.
Lebanon is impressing with its discipline and defensive rigor (45 rebounds, 20 assists, 7 steals), despite a lackluster three-point percentage (7 for 29).
One Step Away from the Final
With this third straight win, Lebanon advances to Sunday’s final against the tournament’s other undefeated team: Egypt. A real test to close this preparation phase in style.
In the meantime, the fans can enjoy the moment: their team is peaking—just when it matters most.
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