BAGHDAD (Iraq) - Sina Vahedi does not want any other foe for Shahrdary Gorgan to face after the club secured a flight back to the FIBA WASL-West Asia League Final.

The young guard is hoping to meet Al Riyadi in the best-of-three title series, keen on helping the Iranian champions get its payback after what happened in the inaugurals.

"Personally, I'd really like to play versus Al Riyadi," he said when asked about his preferred opponent for the sub-zone finale following their series-clinching 88-83 victory over Al Shorta in Game 2 of the Semi-Finals, Thursday night at the Al Shaeb Hall.

"Because last season, they beat Gorgan and they won the title," continued Vahedi, who finished with a game-high 28 points on six three-pointers in the triumph.

Vahedi wasn't part of the Gorgan squad that served as one of FIBA WASL's pioneering members as he was still with Mahram at that time. But clearly, he's aware of the heartbreak his present team suffered at the hands of the Yellow Castle last season.

Gorgan got swept by the Lebanese powerhouse, 2-0, with Game 2 a lopsided 114-100 result as Al Riyadi put on a masterclass at Zouk Mikael to clinch the championship.

So now that they have earned another crack at the West Asia League title, Vahedi believes that there's no better way to try and win it against the same team that foiled their bid last season.

"I hope that this season, we're gonna compete with Al Riyadi," said the 23-year-old playmaker, whose team is entering the Final amid an unbeaten eight-game winning streak.

But it isn't lost on Vahedi what kind of team he wants to face. Al Riyadi were unbeaten from the Group Phase (4-0) until Game 1 of the Semis, until they fell at the hands of long-time domestic rivals Sagesse, 109-106, which pushed their series to a deciding Game 3.

The young yet seasoned internationalist was able to watch that match, which saw both squads engage in a game of runs, and his respect for them only grew further.

"We really respect them," said Vahedi. "I watched the last game between Al Riyadi and Sagesse, and that was a really close game."

FIBA