Pressure more on Al Riyadi than Gorgan, Arsalan believes

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Arsalan Kazemi believes that the pressure is on Al Riyadi in their upcoming rematch with Shahrdary Gorgan in the FIBA WASL-West Asia Season 2 Final.

The Iranian star offered as much when asked if the recent statements by Al Riyadi head coach Ahmad Farran regarding the Lebanese club's plans to win every competition they are in motivate the team heading into their best-of-3 series that opens Thursday.

"Not really, because we are the undefeated team so it will be more of, like, them trying to spoil our plans," humbly said Kazemi. "But in general, every team is trying to win it all and they are a great team. And I have a lot of respect for their team."

Farran reiterated Al Riyadi's goal to "conquer and win everything" after his wards dispatched Sagesse in their best-of-3 Semi-Final series that went the distance, with his confidence stemming from how deep his roster has become with the arrival of Thon Maker.

"We have a deep roster now, so we look forward to conquer and win everything," he was quoted as saying. "I said it and I will repeat it, this season is exceptional for us."

"We are targeting every single tournament we are playing. We have all the assets, we have all the weapons. This is our ambition," added Farran.

It's been the mantra that the Yellow Castle has been saying since winning the West Asia League crown during the FIBA WASL inaugurals, but Kazemi has made a valid point, too.

Although they're widely perceived as a challenger, Gorgan were actually the first to reach this season's sub-zone finale after sweeping Iraqi side Al Shorta in the Semis

They're heading into the title series with an 8-0 record overall, with their six first wins coming from the Group Phase that saw them beat Sagesse, Al-Ittihad Ahli, and Al Naft.

Plus, it's a different team that Al Riyadi are facing. Kazemi himself is among the new players that joined the reigning, three-time Iranian champions prior to the season, with Salar Monji and Mobin Sheiki the only holdovers from the previous batch that finished as West Asia runners-up.

Thus, the excitement on the part of the 'Persian Prince' about the upcoming championship series, whose first game will be at the Stade Nouhad Nawfal in Zouk Mikael, Lebanon.

"It will be a great game and I think all the players and fans are looking forward to it," he said. "What makes it an interesting matchup are the national team players that both teams have."

FIBA