Wu Qian (R) of China vies with Amir Saoud of Lebanon during the FIBA 2019 World Cup Asian Qualifiers 2nd round Group E match between Lebanon and China in Beirut, Lebanon, on Sept.13, 2018. China lost 88-92. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
BEIRUT, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's basketball team lost 88-92 to Lebanon on Thursday in a 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifier.
The Chinese ended the first quarter leading their hosts 20-17. The first half ended 36-36 after great offensive play by the Lebanese team.
In the third quarter, the Chinese led 61-54, before a huge comeback by Lebanon in the fourth quarter to tie the game 77-77.
During overtime, the Lebanese players astonished all the supporters who filled the stadium by coming up with the win. Ahmad Ibrahim, Lebanon's forward expressed his joy after winning the game.
"The game was a good one, up and down for long periods for both teams. We managed to survive till the last moment and we managed to win in extra time," he said.
"It was a tough game, as we expected. We just had to play in four full quarters and we did our best and ended up winning. We were more mature and more experienced so that goes a long way," Lebanon's center Ater James Majoc said.
During the press conference after the game, the Chinese head coach Du Feng said he has very young players that are playing in a tough competition for the first time.
"I have seven players who are playing in this competition for the first time. Before the third quarter my team played very good offense and defense. But as we switched players, the defense was no good for China," the coach said.
