BAGHDAD (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Iraq veteran Ali Hameed believes his team will be better prepared for the up-coming window of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers after the highs and lows of the first games in November.

Iraq started the first Qualifiers in heroic fashion by knocking off Iran 74-66 in Group D. And then Hameed and co. lost their second game in overtime to Kazakhstan.

But the 33-year-old Hameed thinks the defeat in Astana will help Iraq going into the February window, when play Qatar on February 22 and then face Iran on February 25 - with both games being played in Tehran.

"Losing against Kazakhstan helped us to discover our flaws, so we can be stronger in the up-coming games," said Hameed, who averaged 2.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 3.0 blocks in the first two Qualifiers. "The first win against Iran was a motive to win over Kazakhstan, but we weren't lucky enough."

The 6ft 10in (2.09m) center said while the Iraqis learned some valuable lessons against Kazakhstan, they also had the high of beating Iran.

"Winning against Iran was very important because they are one of the toughest teams in Asia," said Hameed.

And the Salahuddin native said a steady level will be key in the up-coming games.

"We will try to continue playing at a good level as we did during the first window," Hameed said.

"Losing against Kazakhstan helped us to discover our flaws, so we can be stronger in the up-coming games."Ali HameedAli Hameed

With the first Qualifiers window complete, Hameed knows February's games could give some clarity as to which three teams from the group can look forward to moving into the second round of Qualifiers.

"Decision time will start in the up-coming matches, and we will respect all of the teams. And we will play with a very high spirit against both Qatar and Iran," Hameed said.

And the Iraqis will be that much better having lost to Kazakhstan, he added.

FIBA