AMMAN (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Jordan played some of their best basketball during the Asian Qualifiers, and head coach Sam Daghles believes that's exactly what the team needed.

There was no surprise when the Jordanians cruised to a 109-72 win against Syria on 23 November, but it's in the second game where Al Nashama really turned some heads. Jordan hosted West Asia rivals Lebanon at the Prince Hamza Stadium on 26 November and in front of 6,000 fans, they rattled off a memorable win, 87-83.

For Daghles that result was excellent, but even more amazing was the fact they did it at home.

"Seeing our Prince Hamza stadium packed was exactly what Jordan basketball needed," he said. "It gave us a game on our home court against one of the top National Teams."

The last time Jordan defeated Lebanon at the FIBA Asia level was way back in the FIBA Asia Cup 2009 and to do so again at the dawn of a new age in international basketball was not only a famous victory but more so a landmark achievement. It's the kind of result that Jordan's fans will remember for a long time and that will spark the imagination of youngsters who wish to don the mantle of Al Nashama in the future.

"We have been struggling to get our fans excited for our games and to give them something to cheer for, and the new World Cup qualifiers system gave us exactly what we needed," Daghles declared.

The former national team superstar believes this new home-and-away system represents a very positive step in the right direction in terms of giving fans the opportunity for greater involvement in their respective national teams, and the first window of the Asian Qualifiers definitely proved that.

"What I loved most about the first window was the hype that goes into playing on the road and at home," Daghles said. "There is something special about the buzz and excitement you feel from playing at home and having the whole country backing you up."

FIBA