Qatar Basketball

Al Sadd retain GCC basketball crown

Al Sadd retain GCC basketball crown

The Qatari club holds off Al Wasl; coach Khalaf makes it four out of four

Al Sadd Club defended the GCC Basketball Championship title, shaking off Al Wasl Club of the United Arab Emirates in a three-minute spell in the final quarter of the final at the Women’s Sports Hall on Monday.

Erfan Saeed Ali triggered a stimulating 12-0 run with a dunk and a trey by Khalid Suliman Abdi ended it. With this quick turn-around, the Qatar team raced away and went on to post a 70-70 victory.

This was the fourth title of the season for Koussay al Khalaf, the Gharafa Club coach who was called on a special assignment by Al Sadd. Earlier, he guided Al Gharafa to three domestic titles. His man management and tactics once again were under spotlight as as he took Al Sadd to the successful defence of the regional crown.

“It was just God’s grace, which helped me make it possible. Al Sadd asked me to take over as a coach for this championship. I like challenges and I took up this responsibility.

“I would like to appreciate all the players of the team as after a long season, they must be tired and jaded. But they were willing to fight and this was the reason why we won the title again. I want to extend my deepest gratitude.

“Not only for Al Sadd, this victory is an honour for the Qatari basketball as well. I’m just delighted with this trophy,” added Khalaf.

Al Sadd Club General Secretary Jassim al Rumaihi said his club extended the spirit of winning. “Yesterday, we won the Emir Cup football and today, we became the champions in the GCC basketball. I’d like to congratulate the players on this victory. We are continuing the spirit of winning and hope this will continue before the end of the season.”

Al Sadd, a bit slow off the starting blocks, as they were up by the narrowest possible margin after five minutes (6-5). The lead changed hands three times but Al Sadd soon hit higher gears, gained their rhythm, pace and scoring flair to open a healthy-looking 21-11 lead in the first 10 minutes.

Emmanuel Adako, who had a dunk, was the engine and scored six points. Daoud Mousa Daoud had five, while Khalid Suliman Abdi chipped in four each. Croatian 216-cm tall centre Mario Kasun led Al Wasl's fight with eight points.

In the second quarter, the UAE team, with closer and faster marking, put some pressure on Al Sadd and gained some ground through Kasun, who was supported well by Rashed Naser Alzaabi.

Kasun added nine and Alzaabi scored eight. But Al Sadd's Adako responded strongly to net nine more points to take his tally to 15.

Al Wasl continued to be aggressive in marking and were 37-41 at midway and progressed to be only two points away from Al Sadd at one stage in the third quarter (37-39), with Ibrahim Abdulla Ahmad getting a three-pointer. But Al Sadd were quick to stretch the lead to eight points.

Al Wasl again did not allow more space to Al Sadd and reached within two points of pulling level with the local team. But at this stage, Al Sadd also muscled their way up and Saeed launched the decisive double-digit sequence to enable his team to seal the victory.

Saeed said, “The domestic season had not been good for us this year. This was the championship we wanted really to defend successfully. They were coming to us aggressively. I found some gaps and used them. I also pushed my teammates to higher levels, which worked. .”

“Last year, I had missed the championship due to injury. But I’m proud to be the part of the winning combination and now I have at least one cup to show,” added Saeed, who had 19 points.

Abdi, who had two three-pointers in 16 points, attributed the success to the team’s ability to remain united in the crucial stages. “This tournament is much harder than what we played at home. Only two professionals are allowed. But I liked it as it was quite competitive. We changed the team as well. We had Manny (Emmanuel Adako) this time. We all stayed together in the fourth quarter.

“It was not easy for us. The players are sometimes tired. This is how the game is. Ilhumdullah, we stuck together and pull it off. I want to thank the whole team, the coach and manager for this success,” added Al Sadd captain Abdi.

Saad Abdulrahman Ali, who missed most of the season due to knee injury, said, “I am very lucky. I have got a great group of guys. I badly wanted contribute to the team’s success. But I had to sit out of the team most of the season because of my leg problem. We did not have a good season in the domestic basketball. But we regrouped and we won’t have been the champions without their support.”

Al Kuwait third

Al Kuwait defended strongly and outplayed depleted Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates 97-66 after a close first quarter (17-16).

Al Ahli took to the court without Cheikh Samb and Sean Marshall who were suspended by the GCC body for dissents and arguments with referees during the semi-final loss to holders Al Sadd Club.

The Kuwaiti champions added 30 points in the next quarter to 16 by the rivals to gain a good grip on the match, finishing 47-32 in the lead at halftime. They continued to cement their advantage and cruised to the 31-point victory after going 74-49 up at the end of the third quarter. Hamad Hasan was the principal scorer for them with 17. Jasmin Perkovic, who grabbed 12 rebounds, and Fahed Aldhofairi netted 14 each.

Al Kuwait dominated the paint scoring 66-28 and had the 56-36edge in the rebound gathering. Towards the close they stretched lead to 32 points.

Last year's runners up Al Ahli's best efforts came from Mohamed Albraiki and Mohammad Aljamani, who got 20 each. Saeed Mohammad Ashoor posted 10 points and as many rebounds to get the double double.

Results

Final

Al Sadd Cluc (Qatar) beat Al Wasl Club (UAE) 79-70 (halftime 37-28)

Main performers – Al Sadd: Emmanuel Adako 21 pts & 9 rebounds, Saeed Erfan Ali 19 pts, Khalid Suliman Abdi 17pts, Chauncy Leslie 15 pts

Al Wasl: Mario Kasun 29 pts & 16 rebounds, Radhouane Slimane 16 pts & 10 rebounds, Rashed Naser Alzaabi 13 pts

Third place playoff

Al Kuwait (Kuwait) beat Al Ahli (UAE) 97-66 (halftime 47-32)

Main performers - Al Kuwait: Hamad Hasan 17 pts, Jasmin Perkovic 14 pts & 12 rebounds, Fahed Aldhofairi 14 pts, Abdullah Alshammari 10 pts , 12 rebounds & 7 assists

Al Ahli: Mohamed Albraiki 20 pts, Mohammad Aljamani 20 pts, Saeed Mohammad Ashoor 10 pts& 10 rebounds

Fifth place playoff

Al Manama (Bahrain) beat Al Rayyan (Qatar) 87-79

Seventh place playoff

Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) beat Nazwa (Oman) 85-68