BEIRUT (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Fadi El Khatib likes what he has seen so far from Lebanon at the Asian Qualifiers, but he urges his countrymen to show even stronger support.

"I think the Asian Qualifiers are going well so far, and the games will get even more tense soon," he said. "But for the fans, my message is to come in numbers, cheer for Lebanon, support the team and don't miss any game because you are our motivation."

Lebanon have done pretty well in their bid to qualify to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019. They have compiled three wins after two windows, with their lone defeat coming at the hands of fabled West Asia rivals Jordan back in November. The Cedars played much more strongly in the second window this past February, routing Syria, 87-63, before dominating India, 90-50. Those twin wins secured for the Lebanese a place in the second round, where they are most certainly colliding with China, New Zealand and Korea.

"I'm happy with the national team so far except for the game against Jordan," El Khatib bared. "But I think we will bounce back in the revenge game." 

"FOR THE FANS, MY MESSAGE IS TO COME IN NUMBERS, CHEER FOR LEBANON, SUPPORT THE TEAM AND DON'T MISS ANY GAME BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR MOTIVATION." Fadi El KhatibFadi El Khatib

Lebanon faces Jordan again to open their third window, and this time the Lebanese will be playing at home in the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex. Without a doubt, the Cedars are looking at exacting vengeance on Jordan and, more importantly, will hope to carry an additional win to the next round. It'll be easier said than done, of course, especially with two of Lebanon's top guards currently out of commission with injuries. Still, El Khatib remains upbeat on their chances to continue their winning ways, and he expects 21-year-old Jad Khalil to emerge as a an effective playmaker.

"We have 2 key point guards injured - Ali Mezher and Wael Arakji - and that hurts, but I have full faith that Jad Khalil will step up and lead the team," El Khatib said. "But we still need to find the right chemistry and work on it. The key for winning and qualifying is defense."

As good as the team is, though, El Khatib knows that the x-factor will be the support from their legions of fans. The Lebanese Tiger wants to see the Cedars faithful to go out in droves and fill the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex to the brim as the national team tries to close out the first round in style.

Lebanon square off with Jordan on 28 June and then take on Syria 1 July with both contests being held at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex.

FIBA