LIB / KUW - Qadsia win hearts, Riyadi the game
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup) - Hosts Al Qadsia bowed out of the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup, but only after entertaining the largest crowd this tournament has witnessed thus far. Qadsia lost their quarterfinal 80-91 to the formidability of Al Riyadi Beirut, but their fans would certainly have enjoyed the manner in which their side kept the more fancied rivals under pressure for most of the game.
KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup) - Hosts Al Qadsia bowed out of the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup, but only after entertaining the largest crowd this tournament has witnessed thus far. Qadsia lost their quarterfinal 80-91 to the formidability of Al Riyadi Beirut, but their fans would certainly have enjoyed the manner in which their side kept the more fancied rivals under pressure for most of the game.
Qadsia even managed to 'win' the last quarter 26-25, but against the advantages the 22-19, 20-19 and 24-16 advantages Riyadi had notched in the first three quarters, that effort of the hosts proved too little coming too late.
"Any game against the hosts brings that extra pressure," Riyadi coach Fuad Abou Chakra said.
"These are the games when the team is tested for its temperament. How it can hold its own against the crowd pressure. Having an equal number of fans in the crowd only adds to the pressure."
"I'm glad my team handled these pressures well," Fuad said.
The experience of Fadi El Khatib and Ismael Ahmed stood Riyadi in good stead as the two not only controlled the forward movement of the ball, but also fell back - Ismael more often than not - to help the defense. Fadi top scored the game with 28 points, and collected four rebounds. And Ismael collected a staggering 12 rebounds to support his 24 points.
Riyadi, having been held almost close till the cross-over raced ahead in the opening moments of the third quarter with Omar Turk and Al Mahmoud adding speed to the moves by Fadi and Ismael. As a result, Riyadi built their first big lead of the game (66-54).
Qadsia, who had hitherto fought on even keel, suddenly felt their challenge fall apart as the inexperience of the side showed.
Alpha Bangura was as usual his solid self - scoring 24 points besides collecting nine rebounds. And with his colleagues struggling to cope with the pressure, the Sierra Leonean fought a losing battle.
Scores
Al Riyadi Beirut, Lebanon 91 (Fadi El Khatib 28, Ismael Ahmed 24, Omar Turk 17) bt Al Qadsia, Kuwait 80 (Alpha Bangura 24, Abdul Aziz Mohammad 15).
Quarter Scores: 22-19, 20-19, 24-16, 25-26.
S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia