Latest news with #JadElHajj
Daily Tribune
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Fall Short in Asia Cup Qualifying Clash
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.
Daily Tribune
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Gears Up for FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers
TDT | Manama With just days to go until their FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, Bahrain's senior men's basketball team has locked in its final 12-player roster for the decisive Group F matchups against Lebanon and Syria. Led by head coach Jad El Hajj, the squad includes Mohammed Hussain, Mohammed Kowayed, Subah Hussain, Ahmed Salman, Ali Jaber, Ahmed Bin Daina, Mustafa Hussain, Ali Shukrallah, Ali Hussain, Ali Aqeel, Mohammed Ameer, and American-born center Wayne Chism. Crunch Time in Group F Bahrain will first face Lebanon on home soil this Friday, followed by a crucial away clash against Syria on February 24. With two wins and two losses, Bahrain sits second in the group standings, while Lebanon leads the pack with a flawless record. Meanwhile, Syria and the UAE trail behind with one win each. With only the top two teams securing automatic qualification to the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain's final games will determine whether they punch their ticket or enter a last-chance qualifying tournament. Building Momentum with Jordan Friendlies As part of their preparations, Bahrain faced Jordan in a friendly match last night at Khalifa Sports City Arena in Isa Town. The two sides will meet again for a second warm-up game tomorrow, giving Bahrain a vital test ahead of their high-stakes qualifiers. With the home crowd behind them, Bahrain will look to bring their A-game against Lebanon before heading to Syria for what could be a tournament-defining match. The road to Jeddah is set, and Bahrain is ready to go again.
Daily Tribune
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain gears up for FIBA Asian Cup qualifiers
Bahrain's national basketball team has officially begun preparations for the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, set to take place later this year in Saudi Arabia. With their sights set on securing a spot in the next stage, the squad is ramping up its training schedule under the guidance of Lebanese head coach Jad El Hajj. The team assembled for its first practice session on Tuesday at the Bahrain Basketball As- sociation Hall in Umm Al Has- sam, marking the beginning of an intensive preparation phase. Training sessions will continue twice daily, leading up to an inhouse training camp at Hilton Hotel, set to begin this Friday. Several board members from the Bahrain Basketball Association attended the first session, highlighting their support for the team's campaign. As part of their build-up, Bahrain will host two friendly games against Jordan at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town on February 15 and 17. These encounters will provide a crucial test for the squad ahead of their upcoming qualifiers. Crunch Time The national team faces a challenging schedule, starting with a home clash against Lebanon on February 21 in Bahrain, followed by an away fixture in Doha against Syria on February 24, as part of the fourth qualification window. Bahrain currently sits second in Group C with six points, trailing Lebanon (8 points), while Syria and the UAE share third place with five points each.
