'Railways' the path to 'Kuwait's' West Asia Basketball semi-finals
Al-Kuwait Club plays a decisive match against Indian Railways team to determine the group winner and secure a spot in the West Asia Basketball League semi-finals.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Under the slogan “Victory for Qualification to the Semi-Finals,” Kuwait enters its match against India’s Indian Railways at 5:45 p.m. tomorrow Wednesday, in the third and final round of Group A in the West Asia Basketball League Final Eight, hosted by Lebanon’s Al-Hakam Club and running until October 4 next year.
The matchup gains added significance after the Lebanese club Al-Riyadi, the defending champion for the past two seasons, secured top spot in the group and clinched a semi-final berth, leaving the second qualifying spot to be decided between Kuwait and Indian Railways, as each team had recorded one win and one loss in the first two rounds.
The “El-Adem” (Kuwait) need to regain their composure following their thrilling one-point defeat to Al-Riyadi, 82-83, in a match that slipped away in the final seconds after they were close to securing a victory that would have given them a significant advantage in the race for qualification.
Kuwait was just seconds away from upsetting Al-Riyadi and securing a second consecutive win, following their earlier 105-97 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad, before American player Donovan Williams sealed the match for the Lebanese side with a free throw in the dying moments.
Despite the loss, Kuwait demonstrated its ability to compete with one of the tournament’s top teams, providing building blocks ahead of the decisive clash with Indian Railways, which will determine the group’s second qualifier.
On the other side, Indian Railways enter the match with the same ambition, having lost their opening game to Al-Riyadi 81-104, before recording a historic 93-85 win over Al-Ittihad in the second round. They arrive at this decisive encounter with three points, tied for third place with runner-up Kuwait, who also have three points.
In another match, Al-Riyadi face Al-Ittihad at 8:45 p.m.
Al-Riyadi were the first team to qualify for the semi-finals, topping the group with four points from two wins, while Al-Ittihad enter the final round with two points and no wins.
