Al Rayan's Yassen Ismael (centre) watches in dismay his drive to the basket being foiled by Salem Mubarak (right) and Dawood Moosa. ©Gulf News |
While Al Rayan snubbed hosts Sharjah Club 75-69, Ohod kept their record to two wins after as many games with a hard-fought 88-85 win against Al Qadsiya of Kuwait.
The tournament, though being played at the Al Ahli Club's indoor hall, is organised by Sharjah Club.
Al Rayan had opened their campaign in this tournament with an 84-78 victory against Al Qadsiya on Friday.
Yesterday, they showed no slowing down in their focus to fight in the final as they defeated hosts Sharjah Club 75-69 after trailing them by a mere point 36-37 at half-time.
However, the second match of the evening proved to be a thriller as hot favourites Ohod found themselves being challenged by some gutsy display from Al Qadsiya before scampering home by just three points 88-85.
"We always knew this game was going to be tough," admitted a relieved Ohod coach John Newman, who in fact, is on loan from Al Hilal for this competition.
"I've had these boys with me for just nine days and they have been improving with every match. I think we are going all the way for the title," he added.
The coach's intentions for the title were clear, but standing in their way was a set of gutsy youngsters from Kuwait.
The Saudi lads led 23-18 at the first quarter and then held a six-point cushion at 47-41 going into the half-time. They were streets ahead with their shooting - with their foreign players, Ayoub Abbas from Al Wasl and Al Wahda's Ali Al Madhabi - serving them well with their expertise from outside the circle.
This allowed the Saudis to go clear 67-54 at the end of the third quarter.
But not for long as Qadsiya turned the pressure on Ohod in the final moments of the last quarter. A crucial foul in the final minute saw Qadsiya's Abdullah Al Sharaf help himself to three charities and bring the Kuwaitis off just one point (84-83).
But Muneer Hawsawi's two free throws again gave the Saudis a two-point cushion. Needing a score from outside the circle in the dying seconds, Qadsiya's Bakher Ahmed preferred a two-pointer and earned a free throw.
But he failed to score the charity shot committing a foul on Waleed Al Madani to allow the game slip away.
"What nearly cost us the game were the seven free throws we missed early in the first half," Newman stated.
"We needed a tough game like this one to keep our focus for the remainder of the competition. They played hard and I am pleased with the way the boys rose to the occasion and literally earned this win. This will help us in the battles we have ahead of us."
Schedule
Today's games:
5pm: Al Manama, Bahrain vs Al Seeb, Oman.
7pm: Al Qadsiya, Kuwait vs Sharjah.
9pm: Al Rayan, Qatar vs Ohod, Saudi Arabia.
