During the most recent window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers, the Cedars may have had the impression that they were being hunted down by their opponents.
We’ve been playing together for two years, so we’re a unit and have great chemistry.
Ali Haidar
Since the beginning of February, they have only been defeated by Australia in the final of the FIBA Asia Cup 2022, making them one of the hottest teams in the area. They were coming off of a great performance in Window 4, in which they had defeated a Philippines national squad captained by Jordan Clarkson in an exciting way.
Then, as they were about to enter Window 5, Lebanon found themselves unexpectedly missing a number of their stars as they got ready to compete against a challenger from New Zealand.
They were able to feel part of that weight on their shoulders, but Ali Haidar was having none of that nonsense.
In response to the question of the pressure, Haidar stated, “We do not feel the pressure.” “We have faith in ourselves, in our head coach, and in each and every other member of our squad. Due to the fact that we have been making preparations, we do not feel any pressure. Because we know going into each game that the outcome will either be a victory or a loss, we aren’t under as much pressure. The boys are doing an outstanding job, and they have faith in me. I delivered sometimes, sometimes I didn’t deliver.”
We don’t put unnecessary strain on ourselves in an effort to sabotage our performance. We laugh, we joke, and we have a good time.”
After victories over New Zealand and India in Window 5, Lebanon increased their winning record in the Asian Qualifiers to seven straight matches, much to the delight of their fans. That’s 12 wins out of 13 games in the last eight months, and that includes winning the Asia Cup.
Lebanon have been able to get into this groove because of the culture they have developed, which is a brotherhood, which has enabled the players to be themselves within the system. This has helped the team to be successful. Obviously, the presence of a “big brother figure” like Ali Haidar has also been an important component in the puzzle pieces for this squad fitting together correctly.
“When you are picked in this scenario, you have to stand up and you have to be a role model,” said Haidar, who was the most senior player on the club during this window.
Haidar is 32 years old and was the most experienced player during this window
“It was a stroke of good luck that my teammates put their faith in me and pay attention to what I have to say. We have developed wonderful chemistry because to the faith shown to us by the coaches and the federation. Because of this, we function as a unified entity. That is what contributes to our success; it is a wonderful circumstance that we are now in, and I am hoping that when the boys go back, we will be able to just keep rolling.
The players in issue were the ones who were absent from the action throughout the window, whether they were Wael Arakji, the MVP of the 2022 Asia Cup, Sergio El Dawich, Amir Saoud, Elie Chamoun, or Yousef Khayat. Even with Lebanon’s wealth of skill, managing that many substitutions throughout a team’s cycle is never simple.
Whether it was Omar Jamaleddine, Gabriel Salibi, or Marc Khoueiry, this might have put pressure on the younger players who were making their debuts for their national teams. Once more, big brother Ali was there to assist in easing the adjustment.
Haidar added of the children, “I constantly advise them to have big hearts to take in whatever they can. “I advised them to take action. They must adjust to it since it is a significant task. They were receptive and listened. The key point is that.”
Haidar is eager for this in-form side to be fully healthy and available so that it can play to its full potential.
Hairdar added, “I warned the boys, the shoes they left are enormous shoes. We are eager to have Wael, Sergio, Amir, Elie, and Yousef back to help us with our work. They all assisted us much.
“We’ve been playing together for two years, so we’re a team and have great synergy. With the young boys, you can’t find this over night, so we can only hope that they return soon and make our tasks easier.”
Following a further round of Asian Qualifiers in February 2023, that assignment will undoubtedly be the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Lebanon qualified for the main competition, which would take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia the following year, marking their first participation in the competition since 2006.
If there is anything else that Haidar is looking forward to, it is playing with a complete squad at the World Cup the following year.
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