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20 November, 2017
26 February, 2019
6 Micheal Madanly (SYR)
13/12/2017
News
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Madanly, Syria would love to "sneak in" a win over Lebanon or Jordan in next Qualifiers

DAMASCUS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Syria picked up a crucial victory over India in their hunt to reach the second stage of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers. But Syrian great Micheal Madanly would love to “sneak in” a game against one of the powers of the Group C in the second group of Qualifiers.

After losing to Jordan 109-72 in their first Group C game, Syria were able to bounce back on the road and beat India - namely with a 74-57 win.

"I think the first game against Jordan was one of the worst games in our basketball history. We were very bad, not focused and not disciplined," said the 36-year-old veteran. "But in the second game against India, we were much better. We tried to correct some of our mistakes. But we still have to do much better."v

Syria had just beaten India 87-78 earlier this summer in the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 - but that came after trailing by 19 points.

"It's true that we beat India at Asia Cup but we almost lost that game. We made a huge comeback," said Madanly, who had 18 points in that game - Syria's only win in the competition, with losses to Jordan, Iran and China.

"We do have confidence in every game we play but we also knew that India will not be an easy trip, especially after the bad performance in our first game."

Micheal Madanly helped Syria to a come-from-behind victory over India at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017.

The 17-point win in November's Qualifiers gives Syria a good buffer over India in the fight for one of the three spots from Group C in the second group stage of the Qualifiers. But there is still a long way to go.

"To be honest, our goal in this qualification is to keep India behind us because we know Lebanon and Jordan are a little bit far away from us. But we will try to sneak a game from them. So that win in India was very important - it was a do-or-die game," said Madanly, who has been playing for the Syrian national team since 2001.

Syria's next two Qualifiers in February will be against Lebanon and at Jordan.

Syria's Micheal Madanly was held to seven points against Jordan in the first Asian Qualifier.

"We have learned from the first games that we either win together or lose together," said Madanly, who averaged 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals in the first two Qualifiers. "So no matter what's going on on the court, we all must stay together, support each other and sacrifice for each other."

Madanly, who plays his club basketball with TNT Ka Tropa in the Philippines, said he really enjoys the new Competition System.

"I really like the new system. I think it's a good idea, and it's going to help the game go to the next level," he said.

Syria fans in Lebanon for Syria's first Asian Qualifier against Jordan.

Madanly and his teammates might not be able to play in front of their family, friends and compatriots, but they are trying to give the people a little break of joy and happiness from the struggles in the country.

"The Syrian people have been through a lot of tough times during the past seven years. So, making it to the FIBA Basketball World Cup for the first time in Syrian history would give our people a lot of joy and happiness," Madanly said.

Through it all, the basketball veteran said it remains a honor to play for the Syrian national team. And the struggles in the country give him an extra motivation.

"The current political situation motivates me to do all I can to prove that Syria are still able to challenge and compete," Madanly concluded.

FIBA