Bahrain Fall Short in Asia Cup Qualifying Clash

Daily Tribune

24-03-2025

Late Fightback Not Enough as Iraq Seal Spot in Jeddah
Bahrain's hopes of reaching the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 came to an end on Sunday, following an 85-72 defeat to Iraq in Manama. Despite a late surge, Bahrain struggled to contain Iraq's physical dominance and will now have to look ahead to future opportunities after missing out on qualification.
Early Setback Proves Costly
Playing at the Bahrain Sports City Arena, the hosts found themselves trailing early, conceding a 30-22 first-quarter deficit. Iraq's relentless energy on the boards and efficient perimeter shooting saw them pull away, with Hassan Abdullah's buzzer-beating three-pointer stretching their lead to 53-35 at halftime.
Jad El Hajj's side attempted to shift momentum in the third quarter, but Iraq continued to dictate play. By the time Bahrain began mounting a response, the gap had widened to 71-60 entering the final period. A brief rally saw the deficit cut to single digits, but Murad Zewki's six unanswered points halted Bahrain's hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Juma'a Impresses, But Bahrain Outmuscled
Ahmed Alderazi led Bahrain's scoring with 19 points, while Mustafa Hussain added 17. Mohammed Juma'a produced a standout performance, recording 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals, underlining his growing influence on the team. However, Iraq's size and rebounding advantage proved decisive, winning the battle on the glass 48-26.
For Iraq, Demario Mayfield orchestrated play with a triple-double (16 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists), while Abdullah and Ali Ismael both chipped in with 16 points. Ahmed Al-Hamdani's 15-point, six-rebound display added to Bahrain's struggles inside.
Coach's Verdict
Bahrain head coach Jad El Hajj remained defiant despite the disappointment:
"We showed fight, but we need to be sharper in crucial moments. The job isn't finished—we'll regroup and come back stronger."
The defeat highlighted Bahrain's struggles in rebounding and perimeter defense, areas that Iraq ruthlessly exploited.
What's Next for Bahrain?
Iraq's win, coupled with India's qualification, secured the two remaining Asia Cup spots from the West Asia tournament. They now join the likes of Australia, Lebanon, and hosts Saudi Arabia in Jeddah from August 5-17.
For Bahrain, missing out on qualification is a setback, but with promising performances from players like Juma'a, there are positives to build on. The focus now shifts to future competitions, where lessons learned from this campaign could shape a stronger return.