FIBA WASL Season 2: Week 6 preview

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The holidays are upon us, but these teams are surely not in the mood of giving yet as they compete in Week 6 of the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) Season 2.

Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai versus Manama

December 18, 2023
Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall, Dubai City, UAE
20:00 local time (GMT+4)

Manama will look to keep their perfect run going as they lock horns with Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai on the road on Monday at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall.

It should be a sentimental trip for the Bahraini side. It will be their first trip to the Emirati city since winning the inaugural FIBA WASL championship at Kuwait Club's expense.

But Coach Linos Gavriel and Co. would want to stay as focused as they can be, since they will be playing their first away game this season against a team that's also unbeaten thus far.

While eyes may have been on Manama and their 2-0 start, including that 108-71 mauling of Al Shamal the last time out, Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai are quietly working. They've won both of their matches thus far, the most recent of which an 85-80 character win over Kazma.

So, that makes the game between two Season 1 teams a battle for the Group B lead in the Gulf league, which they'd definitely want to secure heading into the second half of pool play.

Al Shamal versus Kazma

December 19, 2023
Al-Rayyan Indoor Hall, Doha, Qatar
20:00 local time (GMT+3)

Either Al Shamal or Kazma could start turning their fortunes around as two of the Gulf League's winless teams face one another on Tuesday night in Doha, Qatar.

 

Both squads are toting 0-2 records, and one of them could finally barge into the win column as they take on one another at 20:00 local time at the Al-Rayyan Indoor Hall.

Kazma have been on the losing end of tight encounters, first an 84-76 result versus Manama and then an 85-80 decision to Shabab Al Ahli-Dubai. Thus, their thirst to finally break through as they face a team that's been losing by an average margin of 35.0 points.

Group B (FIBA WASL-GULF)

4/12 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Manama	2	2	0	100		192	147	45	96	73.5	4
2	Shabab Al Ahli - Dubai	2	2	0	100		181	143	38	90.5	71.5	4
3	Kazma	2	0	2	0		156	169	-13	78	84.5	2
4	Al Shamal	2	0	2	0		134	204	-70	67	102	2

Al Shorta versus Al Riyadi

December 21, 2023
Al Shaeb Hall, Baghdad, Iraq
18:45 local time (GMT+3)

Over at the West Asia League, Al Riyadi will look to ace another test on the road as they face Al Shorta  on Thursday night at the Al Shaeb Hall in Baghdad, Iraq.

Game time is at 18:45 local time, with momentum on the reigning sub-zone champions' side after that dominant start to their title defense bid last December 7, where they beat Al Wahda, 96-67, in front of 11,000-plus fans at the Al Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus, Syria.

They surely want to keep it going against the Iraqi ball club, who's aiming to get its first win in FIBA WASL after dropping a close one against Al Wahda in its debut.

Group B (FIBA WASL-WEST ASIA)

2/6 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Al Wahda SC	2	1	1	50.0		141	166	-25	70.5	83	3
2	Al Riyadi	1	1	0	100		96	67	29	96	67	2
3	Al Shorta SC	1	0	1	0		70	74	-4	70	74	1
4	B4	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0

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