Record attendance of 13K fuels more hope to Al-Ittihad Ahli in FIBA WASL

ALEPPO (Syria) - Al-Ittihad Ahli suffered another loss in the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) after bowing to Sagesse on their very own home floor on Thursday night.

Their 81-72 defeat at the hands of the Lebanese powerhouse was already their second in a row. The Syrian side's previous loss was a crushing 121-70 beatdown from last season's West Asia League runners-up Shahrdary Gorgan on November 30 in Tehran.

It sure is a tough stretch that the squad is into right now, given that they started their Season 2 campaign promisingly after taking down fellow returnees Al Naft, 79-72, in Aleppo as well.

But as deflating as it may seem, Al-Ittihad Ahli really has no excuse to lose hope. Aside from the fact that it's only halfway through the Group Phase and anything could happen with the playoff race, the way that their ever-supportive fans have been backing them up is enough reason for them.

Their game against Sagesse saw around 13,000-plus fans fill up—and, of course, electrify—the Al Hamadaniyeh Stadium, easily shattering the FIBA WASL attendance record.

The previous mark, you wonder, was 11,000 plus, which was set last December 7 in Syria as well when Al Wahda hosted Al Riyadi at the Al Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus. The reigning sub-zone league champions won 96-67 for a strong start to their title defense bid.

It's not the first time that Al-Ittihad Ahli drew a five-figure attendance number. A quick check revealed that their home game against Al Naft had 10,000-plus fans in the stands.

That turnout definitely gave the team a big boost, and that was evident in the fourth quarter, when what was once a 23-point Sagesse lead became just eight entering the final minute.

It was too late for a comeback, but nevertheless, head coach Safouane Ferjani was satisfied with the fight his wards showed, believing that they could've won had it not been for some lapses.

"I'm happy. The spirit was good," the veteran mentor said. "We could've won this game had we committed fewer mistakes, fewer turnovers, and gotten more defensive rebounds."

Even Sagesse's chief bench tactician, Jad El Hajj sang his praises for the partisan crowd for buoying the home team, especially during that furious late-game rally.

"Thanks to the amazing fans that came here. They created an amazing atmosphere," said the Lebanese men's national team coach. "They helped their team fight until the end."

The phrase 'ball is life' has quite become ubiquitous in basketball for years now, but there should be no question that Syria and the fans have very well been epitomizing as much.

Maybe sooner or later, all of them will be leaving the Al Hamadaniyeh Stadium—or even the Al Fayhaa Stadium—all smiles and with plenty of reasons to celebrate.

FIBA