Lebanese challenge in India's quest for Asia's top eight spot

Nagpur: With an aim to secure a position among the top eight teams in the continent, Indian cagers will confront the formidable Lebanon in their first knockout game of the FIBA U-18 Asia Cup on Friday.

Following their spirited comeback 62-51 victory against Kuwait, India concluded their Group B campaign in the third position among the 16 participating nations. The boys in blue will now encounter the second-placed team from Group A, a position that the world No. 39 Lebanon attained by triumphing in two of their league stage matches.

Lebanon commenced their Asia Cup journey with a resounding 97-75 victory over the 37th-ranked Chinese Taipei and effortlessly overcame Mongolia 66-45 before succumbing to a 46-78 defeat against the Asian powerhouse Australia in their second league game, ultimately securing the second spot in Group B.

In contrast, India endured a disheartening start, suffering a staggering 72-point loss against Korea. However, they exhibited valiant efforts against Iran before staging an impressive comeback to overcome Kuwait, thereby securing the third position in Group B and earned their right to fight for a spot in the quarterfinals.

If Indian cagers are able to break the Lebanese code they will reclaim their status among the top eight teams in Asia and subsequently face the formidable China in the quarterfinal stage.

Historically, India and Lebanon have each emerged victorious in one of their two previous encounters in the U-18 category. Way back in 1998, during the Asian Championship for Junior Men, the 41st-ranked Indian team overwhelmed Lebanon with a commanding 90-58 scoreline. However, their most recent meeting in the FIBA Asia U-18 Championship in 2016 witnessed Lebanon's emphatic 98-67 triumph over India in the quarterfinal stage.

The Indian basketball contingent will now strive to exact revenge for their 2016 quarterfinal defeat when they face Lebanon on Friday.

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