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Lebanon continued its flawless run in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. By defeating Bahrain 84-78 on Friday night in Manama, the Cedars secured their fifth consecutive victory, confirming their status as a continental powerhouse with a perfect 5-0 record. Already qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, Miodrag Perisic’s men dominated a Bahraini opponent who had everything to play for.
Lebanon confirmed its supremacy by defeating Bahrain 84-78 in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 qualifiers, extending its record to a spotless 5-0. This victory, achieved in Manama in front of a crowd that included many Lebanese supporters, solidifies Lebanon’s position at the top of Group F with 10 points.
Mission accomplished, then, for Miodrag Perisic’s men, who won a game without any real stakes… at least on paper. Already qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, they had little to fear in this qualification window. But with pride and the FIBA rankings in mind, the Cedars played their part to the end, dominating a determined Bahraini team eager to secure its ticket.
A Controlled First Half
From the start of the game, the Cedars set the pace. The first quarter ended with Lebanon leading 22-15, thanks to a solid defense and an efficient offense. In the second quarter, Miodrag Perisic’s men extended their lead, reaching halftime with a score of 49-33.
A Bahraini Comeback in the Second Half
However, the second half saw a dip in intensity from the Lebanese side. Taking advantage of this, Bahrain gradually closed the gap, coming within just six points in the final minutes. Despite the pressure, Lebanon managed to maintain its lead and ultimately secured an 84-78 victory.
Standout Individual Performances
Among the key players, Wael Arakji led the offense with 17 points, followed by Ater Majok with 14 points and Amir Saoud with 13 points. Once again, the Lebanese squad demonstrated its cohesion and bench depth.
On the Road to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025
Already qualified for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, Lebanon now aims to improve its FIBA ranking. Currently ranked 29th in the world and 5th in Asia, just behind Iran, the team seeks to climb higher in the rankings to avoid a tough group-stage draw.
Next Stop: Home Game
The Cedars will host the United Arab Emirates on February 24 at the Nohad Nawfal Complex in Zouk Mikael. A match that will mark the national team’s grand return in front of its home crowd after a year-long absence.
Enough to give chills to Lebanese supporters, always present to back their team… and incidentally to their opponents as well.
A win in this match would allow Lebanon to complete the qualifiers with a perfect record and send a strong message to its future Asian opponents.
With a streak of convincing victories, Lebanon asserts its position as a leader on the Asian basketball scene and prepares to take on upcoming challenges with determination.
Asia has been warned: the Cedars are not here just to participate, but to win!
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