JOR - 'War dogs' ready for giant fight

MANILA (FIBA Asia Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - When asked about his team's fighting qualities, Jordan coach Vangelis Aleksandris had a simple message.

"From the country we come from and the country we represent we have the nickname 'Al-Nashama', it means war dogs," he said.

And from the moment Wesam Al-Sous' perfect pass found Ahmad Al Dwairi for a dunk on the first play of their must-win game against Japan, there was little doubt Jordan would be out-fought on this crucial day.

"We came in charged up for this game. We told ourselves do or die," Al-Sous said.

Jordan's respected playmaker was a man on a mission to deliver his team to the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA Asia Championship, running the offense with poise and purpose.

He wasn't alone though. Jordan, the 2011 silver medallists, put a string of close losses against good opposition behind them to execute Aleksandris' game plan to near perfection en route to a 65-56 triumph.

"We played with our minds, we played with concentration most of the game," said Aleksandris.

"Our defense was excellent and we also had great concentration on offence. We are a young group but we have enthusiasm."

Their inability to finish off games earlier in the tournament mirrored the early rounds two years ago, just as Wedneday's resurgent effort was reminiscent of their final game defeat of the United Arab Emirates to secure passage to the final eight in Wuhan, China.

And in a case of delicious irony they again face the undefeated Iran in the first knockout round, just as they did in 2011.

Jordan's 88-84 defeat of the 2007 and 2009 champions will stand for a long time as one of Asian basketball's great upsets.

As always, Iranian giant Hamed Hadadi presents an enormous challenge, but Jordanian centre Mohammad Hussein was a mountain in the middle himself against Japan, his 19 rebounds no doubt fuelling Aleksandris' belief that a repeat upset is possible.

"About the next stage, we are optimistic," he said.

"Iran is a familiar team to us because we have played many games with them, we played them recently in the William Jones Cup. We know this team - very tough, very strong and a good coach.

"We will prepare the team psychologically and we will prepare tactically. We will be ready."

FIBA