Preview: Blue bloods galore as WASL West Asia tips off
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The West Asia League finally takes center stage as the FIBA WASL inaugurals continue on Thursday.
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - It is now the turn to shine for the teams in West Asia.
The FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) inaugurals continue on Thursday and taking center stage will be the clubs from West Asia League, all of which are definitely raring to begin their respective campaigns on the right foot.
Fireworks are expected in the zone's first gamedays, with some of the region's finest set to see action -- from Wael Arakji, to Mohammad Jamshidi and Behnam Yakhchali, and Freddy Ibrahim, just to name some.
Group A
0/12 games played
| Team |
|---|
| Beirut Club |
| Al-Ittihad Ahli |
| Orthodox Amman |
| ZobAhan |
Group B
0/12 games played
| Team |
|---|
| Gorgan |
| Al Naft |
| Alkaramah |
| Al Riyadi |
21 December 2022
Alkaramah vs Al Naft - 18:00 GMT+3 - Damascus, Al Fayhaa Stadium
Al Riyadi vs Gorgan - 21:30 GMT+2 - Beirut, Saeb Salam
22 December 2022
Beirut Club vs ZobAhan - 17:40 GMT+2 - Zouk Mikael, Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex
Al-Ittihad Ahli vs Orthodox Amman - 18:00 GMT+2 - Aleppo, Al Hamadaniyeh Stadium
Just like in the Gulf League, all participating West Asia League squads will play in the last two days of Week 1, with Alkaramah hosting Al Naft at the Al Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus for the curtain-raiser.
Serving as the main event of the December 22 double-header will be the Al Riyadi-Gorgan clash in Beirut in a battle of loaded teams, with the former being led by Arakji and the latter featuring the Yakhchali-Jamshidi tandem.
The following gameday will see defending Lebanese Basketball League champs Beirut Club start their tournament versus ZobAhan at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Zouk Mikael -- a venue expected to be raucous once more.
Capping off the WASL's first week will be the battle between Al-Ittihad Ahli and Orthodox Amman at the Al Hamadaniyeh Stadium in Aleppo.
STAR TO WATCH
Wael Arakji - Al Riyadi
Guard
Height: 1.91M /6'3"
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Of course, eyes are on the reigning Asia Cup MVP now that he's back with the very same ball club he began his pro career with about a decade ago.
For the uninitiated, Arakji won majority of his domestic league titles with Al Riyadi, but once proved bane to the winningest team in Lebanese hoops when he steered Beirut Club to the 2022 championship at their expense.
Now he's back following a homecoming of sorts, and it would be interesting to see if he can win a chip with Al Riyadi again -- this time in the WASL.
KEY PROSPECT
Omar Jamaleddine - Beirut Club
Guard
Height: 1.90 M/6'3"
Omar Jamaleddine is just in his second season as a pro but is definitely looking to bring the experiences he's gained so far with the Lebanese men's team.
Formerly of Champville, the 22-year-old is now suiting up for Beirut Club, and their upcoming versus ZobAhan should serve as a good test for the youngster.
FIBA