For more than 10 days, the Lebanese basketball team at the Nouhad Nawfal complex in Zouk Mikael prepared for the match between Jordan, which became known as the “Classico” of West Asia as a result of intense competition between the two teams. The Lebanese national team prepared hard for the match expected from Lebanese and Jordanian fans, especially since the maps were finalized a few days before the conference date. Lebanon manager Jad Al-Haj reaffirmed the players ’readiness for today’s match more than once before facing Saudi Arabia-in an easier match on paper-next Monday at once. Al-Hajj will rely on a team of experienced and young players. Captain Ali Haidar will be ready, especially after his level in the local league championship has risen sharply, in addition to Sergio Al Darwish, Ali Mezher, Karim Zainun and Gerard Hadidian, as well as naturalized player Jonathan Arledge and up-and-coming star. Youssef. Hyatt, who has finally caught the attention of several Basketball League clubs in American universities, and has reports of his move to the University of Michigan.

Although they received two injuries in the final series of the Lebanese Championship, both Vael Arakdzhi and Hayek Geokdzhyan played in the team camp, without clarifying the picture about the possibility of their participation in the two matches in the long run.
The composition of the team and the names present give a clear impression that the style of play will be very fast by “little ball”, especially in the case of the transition from defense to attack and to on the contrary, which could confuse Jordan’s defense and provide more. freedom to some Lebanese players, especially in position (2) or flanks to get under the basket or even comfortably shoot from the three-point line. For now, it will be based on Al-Darwish, Eli Shamoun and Karim Zainun along with Youssef Khayat, who is capable of playing more than one role.
Among the Lebanese strengths are the ability of Haider, Hadidian and Arledge to take positions in the middle (4) and (5) under Jordan’s basket, providing more space for coach Jad Hajj and confusing the Jordan’s accounts. It is noteworthy that newly naturalized Jonathan Arledge is participating in the Lebanese national team for the first time, and therefore it will not be easy for the Jordanian defense to read him and learn how to play.

The winner of today’s match is guaranteed first place in the group before moving on to the next qualifying stage.

On the other hand, the strength of the Jordan national team can be seen in the presence of giant Ahmed Al-Douri, former star of Turkish club Fenerbahce and current Torsaspor, in addition to the naturalized Daru Takeru and Ahmed Al. -Hamarsheh. The Jordanians will try to impose slowplay on the Lebanese team from the start to play against the way they want, but it won’t be easy.
The match will now be played and whoever makes the smallest mistake will emerge the winner and ensure the lead before moving on to the next stage scheduled for next August. Ultimately, Lebanon will face New Zealand, the Philippines and India (round trip) as they play the Fifth Window (November 2022) and the Sixth Window and Last (February 2023) to determine the teams. which will enable the Asian and Oceania Cup finals to be reached, ”said the scientist.
It is noteworthy that the meeting between Lebanon and Jordan will be the third between them this year, as the two teams met in February at the Arab Championships held in Dubai, and Lebanon won by a score (64-52) towards won the title. A few days later, the two teams met in Jordan’s capital Amman and Jordan won (74-63). This was Lebanon’s only defeat (54th in the world and 9th on the continent) in qualifying.