WASL Final 8 2023: Group A Preview
BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Expect a heated three-team race to take place in Group A of the West Asia Super League (WASL) Final 8 beginning this week in Dubai.
Following the Chennai Heat's non-participation to the June 9-17 meet, eyes are now on the remaining teams in Al Riyadi, Manama, and Beirut Club, with many eager to see which among the troika would seal two tickets to the Semi-Finals.
It has actually become easy for these clubs, as they only need to sweep both of their groupmates on the way to securing the pool's top seed.
But of course, it's easier said than done, given that all participating teams want to get a crack at becoming the first-ever WASL champions.
10 June 2023
18:45 (GMT+4)
Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall
12 June 2023
21:45 (GMT+4)
Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall
14 June 2023
19:00 (GMT+4)
Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall
Group A action starts on Saturday, with Al Riyadi facing Manama at 18:45 local time in one of the more awaited games of the tournament as it pits the WASL-West Asia champions against the runners-up of WASL-Gulf.
Al Riyadi, for starters, are coming into the tilt in higher spirits after reclaiming the Lebanese league title recently, and will be playing their first game against a team that's gotten closer to ruling the Bahraini Premier League again.
Two days later, Wael Arakji and Co. will be rekindling their rivalry against Beirut Club in a rematch of the WASL-West Asia Semis at 21:45 local time.
It's one game that Beirut Club are surely approaching with extra motivation after seeing Al Riyadi rise back to the top of their domestic league while they finished just fourth after being swept by eventual runners-up Dynamo in the Semi-Finals.
The WASL-West Asia third-placers will also be concluding Group A play as they take on Manama on 14 June at 19:00 local time.
The top two teams of each group will qualify for the knockout crossover Semis, as the third and fourth-place teams by the end of the Group Phase will be eliminated.
FIBA
