Just days out from the next round of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, the MBO Tall Blacks can look back on a week of hard graft and excellent progress during their camp in Doha – well, that is they could, but they are not a team that spends much time looking over their shoulders.
Hosted superbly by the Qatar Basketball Federation (they are themselves preparing for games in the upcoming window, including a home game v Australia), the Tall Blacks have spent every moment of every day in Doha looking to improve and be ready for when the opening jump ball goes up in Beirut on the 13th (local time) against Syria, and then for a mouth watering clash with Lebanon in Rotorua on the 17th (7pm Energy Events Centre).
Head Coach Paul Henare likes what he sees in the group and believes they are timing their run nicely for the upcoming games.
“Unlike most of the other windows, this is a longer time span and allowed us some preparation for the two games. In November and February, we won’t have that luxury, with players literally coming in from their club teams a couple of days before we play.
“After a shaky start and taking a few days to get our legs back after the travel and adjusting to the heat and humidity, the boys have turned the corner and I believe are in a good place ahead of these two games. They have worked their buts off and will continue to do all they can to be ready physically and mentally for a challenging few days.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Qatar for hosting us, in times when we are scrambling for every dollar and having to pick and choose where and when we spend, Qatar has enabled us to prepare well for these games and looked after us in every way, including the two scrimmages against their team. I have no doubt this is a relationship that will benefit both nations, but we are hugely grateful for this opportunity, the boys have enjoyed their time here.”
The team travels into Beirut tomorrow, and has one further training session on the 12th before taking on Syria on the 13th, a nation that does not play home games in Syria, but ironically at the home stadium of another of New Zealand’s opponents in the final qualifying round, Lebanon.
The team will return to the venue of the 2017 Asia Cup at the Nouhad Nawfal Stadium, a venue that brings back great memories and a genuine excitement amongst the group.
Reuben Te Rangi led a young New Zealand team to the semifinals at that tournament, famously defeating Lebanon in the noisiest and most intimidating atmospheres that the players and coaches could recall being in, the noise making any verbal communication more or less impossible.
“That was such a highlight – sure we were disappointed not to get a medal (the team lost to Korea without an injured Ili in the bronze medal match), but the venue was crazy, the loudest I have ever played in for sure,” said Te Rangi.
“There are a few of us from that team and we know what to expect, we are looking forward to something similar against Syria. And for those that weren’t there, they want to experience it for themselves and can’t wait for the game.”
Once that game is negotiated – and that is clearly the focus for the players and coaches, the team will board a plane that same night bound for Singapore (via Doha), where the team will bunker down for the night before stepping aboard the Air New Zealand flight bound for Auckland, where a bus awaits to take them on the final leg to Rotorua.
You can understand then with the time spent away, the hostile away environments (only in the sense of passionate home fans) and the travel factor, that the team can’t wait to walk out at the Energy Events Centre on the 17th.
“We are lucky to be playing in these days when we are in Asia, and we now get to play regularly at home in World Cup qualifying games against quality teams. Players in the generations before us did not have that luxury, with many playing all of their international basketball away from home,” said Te Rangi.
“That just makes it all the more special for us. Home wins are vital, and the fans play their part in leveling the playing field and giving us that advantage on our own floor in our own country. Hong Kong was fun, and a full house enjoyed the action, but Lebanon will be another level, they are a quality team. Our fans need to know they can make the difference, we can’t wait and hope to play in front of another full stadium in Rotorua on the 17th.”
