Asian hopes hinge on Syria clash

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain will look to secure their place in the next stage of the Fiba U18 Asia Cup when they face Syria in their final Group B game today in Ahmedabad, India.

The kingdom’s youth men’s basketball team enter the 5pm contest third in the group with a 1-1 record, level on three points with second-placed Syria, setting up a crucial encounter at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium.

New Zealand lead the standings with two wins from two and four points, while Lebanon sit bottom after losing both of their opening games.

Bahrain began their campaign with an impressive 74-68 victory over Lebanon before suffering a heavy 86-42 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday.

Salman Ramadhan’s side struggled from the outset against the Junior Tall Blacks, falling behind 25-9 after the opening quarter and 43-15 by half-time.

Somto Patrick Onoduenyi provided Bahrain’s main bright spot in the defeat, recording 16 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks, while Hassan Abdulkadir added nine points and eight boards.

The pair had also been influential in the opening win over Lebanon, with Abdulkadir producing 19 points and 14 rebounds and Onoduenyi contributing 14 points and 18 boards.

Syria, meanwhile, will enter the contest buoyed by a 72-64 upset of Lebanon, which ended their 14-year wait for a victory at the continental championship.

The Syrians had opened their campaign with a 67-58 defeat to New Zealand before responding in impressive fashion, racing to the first nine points and holding off a late comeback to secure the win.

Yusuf Takriti led Syria’s offence with 15 points, while Yehia Kassas added 14 points and seven rebounds. Antwan Antwan scored 12, with Majak Majak contributing a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Bahrain will need a much-improved performance as they seek to extend their campaign beyond the group stage.

Group winners advance directly to the quarter-finals, while the second and third-placed teams must contest a qualification play-off on Thursday for the remaining four places in the last eight.

Quarter-final action follows on Friday, with the four winners also securing qualification for the Fiba U19 Basketball World Cup 2027.