After beating Jordan in the semi-finals, Lebanon fell to Australia in the final of the 2022 Asian Men’s Basketball Cup on Sunday afternoon, scoring 73 points to Canberra’s 75.
At half-time, Lebanon had recorded 28 points against Australia, who had 38 points to their credit. Player Waël Arakji was ranked “best player” in this cup.
?? Ali Mansour sends and Sergio El Darwich takes care of the rest ?!#FIBAAsiaCup | @LBF_Basketball pic.twitter.com/0vFoY3soT9
— ? FIBA Asia Cup (@FIBAAsiaCup) July 24, 2022
Earlier in the day, the outgoing Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sports, Georges Kallas, called on his Energy counterpart, Walid Fayad, to provide electricity in the country so that the Lebanese can follow the match, while that the country is suffering from severe power rationing.
Congratulations from Aoun
Reacting to the results of the match, President Michel Aoun congratulated the Lebanese team for their efforts. “Despite the defeat, you have achieved what many consider a dream, you have proven that nothing is impossible for those who have the will,” he wrote on Twitter. “You can be proud to have sent a message to the whole world: you come from a country that has never given up and never will,” he added.
Hey guys of Lebanon national team,
Despite losing the first place, you have achieved what many considered a dream and proved that nothing is impossible in front of the human will.
It is enough for you to be proud that you have sent a message to the world that you are from a country that has not and will not surrender.
The hearts of the Lebanese, and all the Arabs, beat for you.
And your pride will remain from the rice that you represent— General Michel Aoun (@General_Aoun) July 24, 2022
On Saturday, the national team had beaten Jordan on the wire, with a score of 86-85. Less than 30 seconds before the final whistle, the captain of the Lebanese selection Waël Arakji had scored a two-point basket, giving the advantage to Lebanon. The Jordanian players failed to score a final basket before the end of the game.
The 2022 Asian Cup is a qualifying tournament for the 2023 World Cup. The last time Lebanon reached the final of this competition was in 2007, when they lost to Iran.
The Cedar country is ranked 9th in Asia and 54th in the world in basketball, not to mention that it was crowned Arab world champion last February for the first time in its history. Its more than honorable run in the Asian Cup and the Arab title will allow Lebanon to climb the continental and international rankings.
After beating Jordan in the semi-finals, Lebanon lost to Australia in the final of the 2022 Asian Men’s Basketball Cup on Sunday afternoon, scoring 73 points to Canberra’s 75. At half-time, Lebanon had recorded 28 points against Australia, who had 38 points to their credit. The player Waël Arakji has been ranked “best player” in…
