- 09:30
Missing several key players and trailing from the start, Lebanon could not pull off the upset against defending champions Australia (80–93). But Perisic’s men, carried by a record-setting Youssef Khayat, left the court with their heads held high.
You couldn’t afford to arrive late. From the very first possessions, Australia struck hard: 20–4 in just a few minutes, 31–14 at the end of the first quarter, five converted three-pointers, and suffocating defense.
A Poor Start, Immediate Punishment
Lebanon watched the storm roll by, groggy but still standing.
Up against an over-armed Boomers squad, the Lebanese tried to hang on, but the gap quickly grew to +20 (58–38 at halftime). And in a King Abdullah Sports City arena entirely devoted to the show, Miodrag Perisic’s men seemed destined for a heavy defeat.
“They surprised us from the start. We took too long to wake up,” admitted a member of the Lebanese staff. “But this group has heart.”
Khayat on Fire, Darwich Down
The spark came from Youssef Khayat, who scored 22 points — his personal best in the Asian Cup. Combative, sharp, and precise in his decisions, the Lebanese forward carried the team on his shoulders, adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals to his stat line.
Around him, Ali Mansour (12 pts, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) balanced the backcourt, well supported by Karim Zeinoun and Ali Haidar (11 points each). But the night was marred by Sergio El Darwich’s injury, as he suffered a nasal trauma after only a few seconds of play.
Already missing their leader Wael Arakji, rested due to a sore shoulder, and uncertain about Amir Saoud’s availability, the Lebanese played short-handed — but never lowered their flag.
A Final Quarter for Pride
Despite the score, Lebanon finished strong, hitting the two-time Asian champions with a 20–9 run in the last quarter. A final show of pride that didn’t change the game’s outcome, but spoke volumes about this team’s spirit — battered by injuries, but never by resignation.
Facing a clinical Australia (93 points, 12 different scorers, 8 three-pointers in the first half), Jaylin Galloway (18 pts, 5 rebounds, 4 steals) and Reyne Smith (18 pts) showcased their talent. But it was Lebanon’s resilience that left the lasting impression.
The Real Final Is on Sunday
Lebanon (1–1) will play for a spot in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 6:00 PM against South Korea (1–1). A do-or-die game — maybe with Arakji’s return, maybe not.
Against the Australian giants, Lebanon lost… but never surrendered. The fight goes on. They know nothing will be given to them, but everything is still possible.
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