In a stunning upset, the 30th-ranked Cedars fell to the 83rd-ranked side, marking their first home loss in the World Cup Qualifiers since 2019. This victory was particularly significant as it was Qatar's first win over Lebanon in major FIBA competitions since 2015.
The turning point came in the third quarter, 1:18 minutes in, when Abdulrahman Saad's three-pointer put Qatar up by 8 points, a lead they never relinquished. Despite a late chance for Wael Arakji to tie the game, Qatar held on for the upset.
Key to Qatar's success was the impressive performance of point guard Brandon Goodwin, who recorded an efficient statline of 25 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals. Alen Hadzibegovic, the 6'11" center, also had a strong game, finishing with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists by the third quarter.
Lebanon's relatively high number of turnovers (13) proved costly, while Qatar's poor free-throw shooting (14-of-24) was balanced by Lebanon's poor three-point shooting (22.7%). Qatar also dominated in blocks, outscoring Lebanon by 4.
Despite being assured of a spot in the World Cup in two years, Qatar is taking the Qualifiers seriously. As Lebanon Head Coach Ahmad El Farran noted, it's anyone's game, and every team must step up to secure a spot in Qatar 2027.
Post-game comments revealed a resilient Qatar team, with Brandon Goodwin praising their focus and resilience. Qatar Assistant Coach Cengiz Karadag highlighted the team's defensive strength, while Dedric Lawson from Lebanon took responsibility for his performance, aiming to improve in future games.
For more on the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, including top plays, game recaps, and video highlights, visit the official FIBA website. Additionally, test your fantasy basketball skills by creating a team and joining a league.
