Bahrain eyes FIBA Asia Cup berth, climbs ranks
TDT | Manama
Bahrain's national basketball team continues to push forward despite falling just short of securing a direct berth in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025. In the latest FIBA rankings, Bahrain climbed to 66th place globally and 11th in Asia—their highest-ever standing. This progress speaks to the team's steady rise on the international stage and their drive to compete among Asia's best.
Bahrain's rise in the rankings and continued fight for a place in the FIBA Asia Cup are testaments to the support from His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, whose leadership has pushed the national program forward.
Key players like power forward Devon Chism and point guard Ahmed Haji have been instrumental in Bahrain's campaign, with Chism averaging 12 points and 14 rebounds per game. Haji told TDT during the qualifiers, 'Every game we play, we're proving we belong here.'
Proving Their Mettle
Bahrain's journey to the FIBA Asia Cup took an unexpected turn following a heartbreaking 87-89 loss to Syria in Doha. The defeat marked the conclusion of the continental qualifying competition, where Bahrain managed just two wins in six games. Head coach Jad El Hajj reflected on the narrow loss, calling it a '50-50 game' that could have gone either way. Despite the setback, Bahrain still has one final opportunity to book their place in the tournament.
One Last Chance
With the main qualifiers complete, Bahrain will now compete in a secondary qualification event alongside Iraq and India this month. The three teams will battle in a round-robin West Asian competition, with the top two securing a ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup, set to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from August 5-17.
A total of 16 teams will compete in the final tournament, with 12 nations—including host Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, and Lebanon—already securing their places. Bahrain now faces a crucial test in March as they seek to claim one of the remaining four spots in the continental showcase.
A Nation's Basketball Dream
Bahrain's basketball ambitions extend beyond rankings and qualification battles. As they prepare for their decisive matchups against Iraq and India, the team carries the hopes of a nation eager to see them compete on Asia's biggest stage. Head coach El Hajj remains optimistic, stressing, 'We're building something special, and these next games are our chance to show it.'
For a country of Bahrain's size, their journey is nothing short of inspiring. As they chase a 10th appearance in the FIBA Asia Cup, one thing is clear: Bahrain is no longer just an underdog—they are a team that demands respect on the court. Their next games will define their path, but their rise is already a story worth following.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
5 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Brazil, Ecuador qualify for 2026 World Cup finals
TDT | Manama Brazil confirmed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday with a narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay in São Paulo, sealing qualification with two games to spare. A first-half goal from Vinicius Jr. ensured a successful home debut for new head coach Carlo Ancelotti and continued Brazil's unbroken streak of appearances at every edition of the tournament. It wasn't a vintage performance, but the result delivered what mattered. "Today wasn't one of our best games," admitted Vinicius, "but the important thing in qualifying is to win and prepare well for the World Cup." The Real Madrid star's goal was his third of the campaign and capped a tidy display that grew in influence as the match wore on. Brazil now sit on 25 points, mathematically out of reach for seventh-placed Venezuela and thus assured of one of CONMEBOL's six automatic berths. Ecuador Clinch With Ten Men Ecuador joined Brazil and previously qualified Argentina in the 2026 finals after a gritty 0-0 draw in Lima against Peru. A second-half red card for Alan Franco forced them to defend deep for the final 20 minutes, but Gustavo Alfaro's side held firm to claim the point they needed. Qualification marks Ecuador's second consecutive World Cup appearance and their fifth overall. The result also spelled the end of the road for Peru, whose slim chances of a late surge were effectively ended. Sitting on 12 points with two matches left, they now trail Venezuela by six. Tight Race for Final Spots With three qualification spots still open, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia are in pole position heading into September's final international window. Uruguay moved up to fourth on 24 points after a convincing 2-0 win over Venezuela in Montevideo, with goals from Rodrigo Aguirre and Giorgian De Arrascaeta breaking a four-match winless streak. Marcelo Bielsa's side need just one more point from matches against Peru and Chile to seal their spot. Colombia, meanwhile, remain fifth with 22 points after a late equaliser from Thiago Almada rescued a 1-1 draw for Argentina in Barranquilla. Luis Diaz had given Colombia the lead early in the second half, and the result extends their unbeaten run to seven matches. Paraguay, who sit level with Uruguay on 24 points, were left frustrated by their narrow loss to Brazil but remain on track. The pressure now shifts to Venezuela, still in the playoff position but with Colombia and Paraguay in their sights. End of the Line for Chile One team whose World Cup hopes were officially extinguished on Tuesday was Chile. A 2-0 defeat to Bolivia in La Paz left them with no mathematical path to qualification, leading to the immediate resignation of coach Ricardo Gareca. It ends another turbulent campaign for La Roja, who miss out on a second straight World Cup following their golden era of the 2010s. South American Standings Snapshot (Top 7)
Daily Tribune
10 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Senegal become first African team to beat England
TDT | Manama Senegal made history on Tuesday night by becoming the first African nation to defeat England, claiming a confident 3-1 win in an international friendly at Nottingham's City Ground. Goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra, and Cheikh Sabaly secured a landmark result that stretched Senegal's unbeaten run to 24 matches — and left England facing uncomfortable questions in the early stages of the Thomas Tuchel era. It was a performance that combined tactical discipline with clinical finishing, underscoring Senegal's continued rise as a force beyond African football. Fast Start, Fragile Foundation England looked sharp early on, opening the scoring in the seventh minute through Harry Kane, who pounced after Edouard Mendy spilled a close-range effort from Anthony Gordon. But the early momentum masked deeper structural issues in Tuchel's heavily rotated side, which featured 10 changes from the lacklustre 1-0 win over Andorra. The defensive shape never fully settled, and Senegal began to find gaps, particularly down the flanks where Sarr and Jackson found joy against an unusually disjointed English backline. Senegal Flip the Script Senegal's equaliser came five minutes before the break, when Kyle Walker was caught flat-footed and Sarr reacted quickest to turn in a low cross from Nicolas Jackson. The goal was no more than the visitors deserved after a half in which they had repeatedly tested goalkeeper Dean Henderson. After the break, England looked lethargic and struggled to manage Senegal's pace and movement in transition. In the 62nd minute, Diarra latched onto a lofted ball behind the defence and finished with composure through Henderson's legs. Sabaly's stoppage-time strike — a confident low finish after a sweeping move — confirmed a famous win. It might have been worse for England, were it not for Henderson's earlier saves and a late offside flag that ruled out a Jude Bellingham equaliser for a handball in the build-up. Tuchel Faces Early Reality Check While the result won't carry competitive consequences, it does sharpen the focus on England's early adaptation under Tuchel. The German coach admitted post-match that his side looked 'frozen' for long periods, and lacked the tempo and sharpness expected at this level. 'Not active enough for long stretches,' Tuchel observed. 'We conceded very easy goals, ones we have to do better with. After that, the reaction was good — more energy, more aggression — but we need to start like that.' For captain Kane, the themes were familiar: inconsistency in both phases, and a lack of cohesion. 'We're not going to panic,' he said, 'but we know we need to be better. There are new ideas, new players coming in, but no excuses. Every camp matters now — the World Cup is coming fast.' Senegal Shine on Global Stage For Senegal, this was more than just a friendly win — it was validation. Under head coach Pape Thiaw, the Teranga Lions have become a model of structure and belief, and their ability to control long spells against England reflects a side with ambitions that stretch well beyond continental titles. Sarr, Jackson, and Diarra were all standouts, while Mendy's late save to deny Bukayo Saka preserved a lead that was well-earned. The African champions continue to grow in stature — and on nights like these, demand to be taken seriously among football's global elite. Senegal next face Algeria in September, while England's preparations for the 2026 World Cup resume with qualifiers against Iceland and Hungary. For both, the road ahead looks increasingly shaped by lessons from nights like this.
Daily Tribune
11 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Represented, Asia Expanded
TDT | Manama The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Tuesday that Bahrain will receive two direct slots in the newly structured AFC Champions League 2 for the 2025–26 season, which brings a great opportunity for domestic clubs to make their presence felt on the continental stage. Muharraq and Khalidiya Set for Asia Reigning Bahraini league champions Muharraq SC and Khalidiya SC, winners of the King's Cup and league runners-up, will represent the Kingdom in this competition. The two sides earned automatic qualification based on their domestic success during the 2024–25 season. This marks a continuation of Bahrain's growing stature in AFC competitions, with the allocation reflecting the Kingdom's rising performance in regional football and the AFC's broader restructuring of its club tournaments. New Chapter in Asian Football The AFC Champions League 2 is part of the revamped AFC men's club competition framework, which now includes three tiers: the elite AFC Champions League Elite, the AFC Champions League 2, and the AFC Challenge League. Of the three, the second tier features the largest pool of participating clubs. The upcoming edition of AFC Champions League 2 will comprise 29 teams—14 from the West Zone and 15 from the East Zone, including clubs that fall out of qualification for the top-tier tournament. A further six teams will compete in preliminary rounds for the remaining group-stage spots. Group Stage Set for September The group stage of the competition is scheduled to kick off on 16 September 2025, with the official draw taking place on 18 August. The competition structure ensures that clubs from smaller footballing nations like Bahrain have an expanded platform to compete against comparable sides across the continent. This development could prove vital for the growth of Bahraini clubs, offering them a consistent stage to test themselves regionally and attract higher-calibre talent, both on and off the pitch.
