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The Lebanese basketball team beat its Syrian counterpart (87-78) when the two teams met in Damascus on Friday as part of the 2025 Asian Cup qualifiers.
There was no suspense (except in the last quarter) at Damascus’ al-Fayhaa stadium. Lebanon’s impressive team easily beat Syria 87-78 on Friday in their first qualifier for the 2025 Asian Cup, despite the absence of several regular players due to injury.
Jad el-Hajj opted for a reshuffled starting five featuring Norvel Pelle, Sergio Darwish, Marc Khoueiri, Hayk Gyokchyan, and Ali Mezher. The Lebanese coach opted to leave Wael Arakji on the bench. The Lebanese team got off to a flying start with a hat-trick from Hayk Gyokchyan to dampen the spirits of the home fans. Seconds later, Norvel Pelle added two more points before Javion Blake reduced the deficit for Syria (5-2). In the fifth minute, Ali Mezher, who had suffered a fall, gave way to Wael Arakji. The scoreline then moved back and forth, with a slight advantage for the Cedars. Lebanon closed the first ten minutes 28-20.
The Lebanese Players on Fire
In the second quarter, Lebanon muscled their game even more and the Arakji-Pelle tandem gave their opponents the runaround. The Lebanese played a fast, fluid game which left the Syrians helpless. In the 14th minute, Norvel Pelle scored twice in quick succession before adding a superb basket following a magnificent team move by the Lebanese (40-29). Lebanon crossed the halfway line with a 15-point viatical 51-36.
After the break, Facundo Petracci’s men rushed to attack the Lebanese baskets. But it was all to no avail, as the Cedars easily contained the Syrians’ offensive ambitions.
Although the imposing Syrian playmaker Javion Blake did not fail to disgust the Lebanese, making several baskets (28 points in total), he was unable to stop the haemorrhage. Jad el-Hajj’s protégés were able to capitalize on their lacklustre teamwork, intercepting virtually every ball, to quickly make the scoreboard (76-56 at the 30th).
Empty Period
In the fourth and final quarter, the Lebanese almost spoiled everything. Convinced of their technical superiority and comfortable lead, the Cedars claimed victory too early. They inexplicably lost their concentration and went into a slump that their fans could have done without. The Lebanese then lost their flow and let their opponents come back dangerously close to the score. The Syrians then had five minutes of madness (76-66 at the 35th minute), but Jad el-Hajj hurriedly called two time-outs to give his players new instructions. Following their coach’s instructions to the letter, the Lebanese finally woke up when Amir Saoud scored a crucial hat-trick. The Lebanese were back in the game and ended the match with a 87-78 score.
Mission accomplished for the Lebanese national team, who take home a convincing victory from the Syrian capital. The team will face Bahrain on Monday in Zouk Mikael, in the second match of the qualifiers.
