Lebanon’s women’s national team fell by just four points to world number nine Japan at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, delivering a performance that mixed frustration with clear signs of progress.
Going Head-to-Head with a Global Contender
From the opening tip, Lebanon showed they were not in Shenzhen simply to make up the numbers. They matched Japan’s intensity on defence and took confident shots on offence, refusing to be intimidated by their opponent’s ranking or reputation.
Japan’s young core, highlighted by rising talents like Minami Yabu, eventually made the difference in key moments, hitting important baskets and exploiting small lapses in concentration. But Lebanon answered back repeatedly, forcing Japan to stay locked in for the full 40 minutes.
In the end, a few possessions decided the game. Missed opportunities, second chances for Japan, and the fine margins of tournament basketball all combined to leave Lebanon just short of a statement win.
Standout Performances: Akl Leads the Charge
On the Lebanese side, Rebecca Akl delivered a performance worthy of the stage. The guard poured in 27 points, attacking the basket, drawing fouls, and knocking down shots under pressure. Her scoring kept Lebanon within reach whenever Japan threatened to pull away.
Forward Qamar Mansour added 19 points of her own, battling inside and contributing on both ends. On the Japanese side, Minami Yabu matched that 19-point mark, underlining the head-to-head duel that unfolded throughout the night.
Beyond the box score, Lebanon’s rotations showed depth and resilience. Role players chased shooters off the three-point line, crashed the boards, and tried to keep pace with Japan’s fast transitions. Even in defeat, the game film will offer plenty of moments the team can build on.
More Than a Result: A Measure of Progress
For Lebanon, competing at Level “A” of the Asian Championship is itself a significant step. Sharing the floor with teams like Japan and, next, Australia means constant exposure to top-tier basketball—faster decisions, more physical defence, and higher expectations on every possession.
A four-point loss against a top-10 team suggests that Lebanon is narrowing the gap. The challenge now is to convert close contests into wins, which requires better execution in the final minutes—fewer turnovers, smarter fouls, and cleaner looks at the basket when it matters most.
Australia Awaits: Another Big Test
There is little time to dwell on what might have been. Lebanon’s next opponent is Australia, ranked second in the world and known for its combination of size, skill, and depth. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, providing another immediate test of the team’s resilience.
Facing back-to-back games against two of the strongest programmes in the global women’s game is not easy, but it is exactly the kind of experience that can accelerate a national team’s development.
A Narrow Defeat, and a Clear Message
On the scoreboard, Lebanon’s 68–72 loss to Japan is a defeat. On the court, it looked like the start of a new chapter. Playing a world top-10 side to the final possession proves that the Lebanese women’s team can compete at Asia’s highest level when they bring their best.
If they can carry the same intensity and belief into the rest of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, and if performances like Rebecca Akl’s become more common than exceptional, Lebanon could leave Shenzhen with more than just experience—they could leave with a new identity as a team that belongs among the continent’s elite.
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