BASKETBALL SET FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFYING

Jordan’s Basketball team is preparing for a World Cup qualifying double header that will play a huge bearing on whether they reach the FIBA World Cup 2019 in China.

On Thursday, the team heads to Lebanon where they will open their campaign against Syria before hosting Lebanon in the Prince Hamzeh Hall, Amman, on November 24.

Veteran Zeid Abbas, who has experience playing professionally in China, has joined up with the squad which is training under the supervision of head coach Sam Daghlas.

“The team has come together well following our training camp in Turkey which allowed me to take a closer look at the players,” said Daghlas.

“I am satisfied with the squad’s level of fitness and we are becoming stronger as a team as the games approach.”

Daghlas knows that beating Syria is important to set the team up nicely for the big match with Lebanon just a few days later when he hopes a big crowd will come out in support.

The final piece of the Jordan jigsaw is star player Dar Tucker who was recently named MVP in the Argentine League where he plays for San Lorenzo. He is expected to join the team on Tuesday.

“He is an excellent player,” said Daghlas.

“He led the scoring in the Argentine League and has a strong reputation so we are looking forward to him joining us on Tuesday.”

India are the fourth team in Group C with the top three going through to the next phase of qualifications.