DOHA (Qatar) - Chants of "Arakji, Arakji" filled the electric air inside Lusail Arena. This would be considered normal under most circumstances. After all, the 31-year-old point guard is a bona fide star of Lebanese basketball.
The unexpectedness stemmed more from where the stadium is located. Not in Beirut, but in Doha. That, too, in a game against the home team, Qatar.
As Qatar gears up to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, it is gradually becoming the next hub of global hoops.
Besides spanking new arenas, warm hospitality will be a huge 'pull' factor.
Lebanon men's head coach Ahmad El Farran became the first visiting coach to register his thumbs up.
Speaking after the Cedars' thrilling 75-74 victory last night in the opening game of the Asian Qualifiers, Farran acknowledged the role of the favorable atmosphere in ensuring his first win with the national team.
“For sure always in Qatar, we feel at home. The [travelling] Lebanese fans are [amazing]…you cannot lose in such atmosphere."
When we have this kind of fans, thousands of fans, they show up to support their nation. It’s a proud moment.
It wasn't just Cedars fans who showed up. Qatari supporters too were visible and vociferous - a sea of white - egging on their side to pull off an upset win.
By virtue of being the 2027 WC hosts, Qatar is already assured of a berth in the flagship showpiece, which will be a first since 2006. But the hunger to win here and now, and return to the top echelons in continental basketball, is clearly visible.
No other rival team has probably felt it as much as Lebanon, which survived another close encounter with Qatar earlier this year at the Asia Cup 2025.
All in all, yesterday's game was an excellent advertisement of how fast West Asian basketball is evolving.
“Qatar showed up big. They played also very good. Today it was a good night to play basketball, and this is a big rehearsal before World Cup 2027, and hopefully Lebanon and their fans will be present in this occasion,” Coach Farran observed, eyeing positive tidings ahead.
Two nights from now, it will be Lebanon's turn to return the favor in the return leg on November 30.
FIBA