FIBA WASL Season 2: Week 7 preview

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The playoff race is about to intensify as the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Season 2 enters the second half of its Group Phase on Monday.

All member teams are set to figure in rematches with familiar foes in their respective groups, but the stakes will be higher as they now jockey for spots in the Final Phase.

Kuwait Club versus Muharraq

January 8, 2023
Shaikh Saad Alabdullah Sport Hall Complex, Kuwait City, Kuwait
20:00 local time (GMT+3)

Kuwait Club are halfway through the goal they've set entering season, and the crew has no intention of slowing down when it takes on Muharraq anew on Monday.

The reigning Gulf League champions intend to sweep the Group Phase to clinch the Group A top seed, which merits an automatic trip to the Semi-Finals.

They have already won their first three assignments, and owning the next three is the priority. Win No. 4 will be the target heading into their rematch against a team they've already beaten back in the season opener last November 13 at the BBA Arena in Manama.

Now it's Kuwait Club with the home-court edge, as they're hosting their Bahraini counterparts at the Shaikh Saad Alabdullah Sport Hall Complex. Tip-off is at 20:00 local time.

Coach Peter Schomers and Co. look to keep their mastery of Muharraq, but it will surely be easier said than done. The latter is in the midst of a two-game winning streak following big victories over fellow FIBA WASL newcomers Al Ahli Jeddah and Al Rayyan.

However, it would be intriguing, to say the least, to see how Bader Malabes and Co. would perform as the team is adjusting following the exit of Coach Ahmed Jan.

Al Rayyan versus Al Ahli Jeddah

January 9, 2023
Lusail Multipurpose Hall, Doha, Qatar
20:00 local time (GMT+3)

Al Rayyan will look to repeat against Al Ahli Jeddah as the struggling sides lock horns on Tuesday night at the Lusail Multipurpose Hall in the Qatari capital.

The game is at 20:00 local time, with the home team aiming to get another win against the very same team they beat on their way to a successful league debut last November 14.

The youth-laden Al Rayyan will definitely be banking on that familiarity they have with the visitors from Saudi Arabia in an attempt to snap out of a two-game losing skid.

But Al Ahli surely does not want to suffer another loss. Carrying a 0-3 slate, the crew is bent on leaving Qatar with the W in the bag to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Group A (FIBA WASL-GULF)

6/12 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Kuwait Club	3	3	0	100		303	246	57	101	82	6
2	Muharraq Club	3	2	1	66.7		265	253	12	88.3	84.3	5
3	Al Rayyan	3	1	2	33.3		225	252	-27	75	84	4
4	Al Ahli	3	0	3	0		260	302	-42	86.7	100.7	3

Al Naft versus Al-Ittihad Ahli

January 10, 2023
Al Shaeb Hall, Baghdad, Iraq
20:00 local time (GMT+3)

Al Naft will look to maximize home-court advantage in an attempt to score their first win of the season versus Al-Ittihad Ahli on Wednesday night at the Al Shaeb Hall in Baghdad.

The Iraqi crew is dead last in Group A of the West Asia League at 0-3, making their next three assignments must-win ones if they are to compete for a spot in the Final Phase.

They have a chance to begin turning their fortunes around in the 20:00 affair, but it's definitely easier said than done as they go up against a side raring to get back in the win column.

Al-Ittihad Ahli are bent on laying their two-game skid to rest, and there's no better opportunity for them to do so against a team they've already beaten back in their season opener.

Shahrdary Gorgan versus Sagesse

January 11, 2023
Azadi Basketball Hall, Tehran, Iran
19:15 local time (GMT+3:30)

Two of the league's fan favorites will cap off Week 7 action as Shahrdary Gorgan and Sagesse duke it out on Thursday night at the Azadi Basketball Hall in Iran.

Game time is at 19:15 local time, with the Iranian side looking to keep their mastery of the Lebanese club as they aim to stretch their unbeaten streak to four.

But it may no longer be as easy in their upcoming rematch. Since that loss, Sagesse are now in the midst of a two-game winning streak, thanks to the arrival of Pierre Jackson.

The veteran guard has been providing the stability the team needed in the point guard position, and it would be interesting to see how he and the squad would respond against a Gorgan side that's looking to sweep the group for a direct flight to the semi-finals.

Group A (FIBA WASL-WEST ASIA)

6/12 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Shahrdary Gorgan	3	3	0	100		307	203	104	102.3	67.7	6
2	C.S. Sagesse	3	2	1	66.7		245	236	9	81.7	78.7	5
3	Al-Ittihad Ahli	3	1	2	33.3		221	274	-53	73.7	91.3	4
4	Al Naft	3	0	3	0		209	269	-60	69.7	89.7	3

FIBA