What to expect in opening week of FIBA WASL Season 2

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - Season 2 of the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL) is finally raising its curtains this week, featuring action that should set the tone for an exciting tilt ahead,

 

Muharraq versus Kuwait Club

November 13
Khalifa Sport City, Manama, Bahrain
19:30 local time (GMT+3)

The 2023-24 competitions will commence on November 13 starting with FIBA WASL-Gulf League Group A action, with Kuwait Club opening their sub-zone title defense bid on the road.

Coach Peter Schomers' crew will be taking on league debutants Muharraq at the Khalifa Sport City in Bahrain, in the same place where they won the inaugural Gulf title.

They're one of the favorites in Season 2 but their Bahraini counterparts have something to prove as well, looking to become the team that will end Kuwait Club's 10-0 streak in the sub-zone league.

Al-Ahli Jeddah versus Al Rayyan

November 14
Green Basketball Court, Jeddah, KSA
20:00 local time (GMT+3)

Gulf League newcomers will be taking center stage on November 14 as Al-Ahli Jeddah host Al Rayyan in a clash of reigning domestic titlists at the Green Basketball Court in Jeddah.

It should be a thrilling encounter as the home team - who won their maiden Saudi Basketball Premier League title in the 2022-23 season - will be going up against the 18-time winners of the Qatar Basketball League, which are also looking to win another FIBA club competition title.

 

For starters, Al Rayyan have won the FIBA Asia Champions Cup twice, and the FIBA WASL crown is one thing that they would surely love to add in their stacked collection.

Tuesday's game would be the start of their journey towards the big prize but they will have to get through Al-Ahli, which will be led by former NBA players Devin Ebanks and DeAndre Liggins.

Group A (FIBA WASL-GULF LEAGUE)

0/12 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Kuwait Club	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Al Ahli	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Al Rayyan	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Al Muharraq Sport Club	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0

 

Sagesse versus Shahrdary Gorgan

November 15
Ghazir Club Stadium, Ghazir, Lebanon
21:45 local time (GMT+2)

FIBA WASL-West Asia League action tips off on November 15, with last year's runners-up Shahrdary Gorgan flying to Lebanon to take on the debuting Sagesse at the Ghazir Club Stadium.

 

The defending Iran champions are locked in on winning the gold this time after settling for a runner-up finish in Season 1. They aim to do so with an all-new lineup bannered by national team veterans Arsalan Kazemi and Sina Vahedi, with reinforcements led by Darrin Dorsey.

Dorsey previously suited up for Orthodox Amman in Season 1 but he's not the only one returning to FIBA WASL. Sagesse will parade pieces that have been quite familiar with the league such as Rodrigue Akl and Omar Jamaleddine, which both played for Beirut Club.

 

There's also former Al Sadd center Waverly Austin, who's now leading the Lebanese powerhouse's cast of reinforcements that also feature Elijah Thomas and George Williams.

Al-Ittihad Ahli versus Al Naft

November 16
Al Hamadaniyeh Stadium, Aleppo, Syria
20:00 local time (GMT+3)

Season 1 returnees will cap off Week 1 action as Al-Ittihad Ahli host Al Naft at the Al Hamadaniyeh Stadium in Aleppo, Syria, which should be jam-packed once again.

Anthouny Bakar and Nadim Issa will lead the Syrian side once more together with Andree Michelsson, all of them looking to put on a memorable - and longer- FIBA WASL campaign this time.

They'd definitely want to start off on the right foot on Thursday but that's the same goal as well of Al Naft, a team looking to better its showing from last season after bowing out of the West Asia League Qualification to Semi-Finals to ZobAhan Isfahan.

Group A (FIBA WASL-WEST ASIA LEAGUE)

0/12 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Shahrdary Gorgan	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
2	Al Naft	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Al-Ittihad Ahli	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0
4	C.S. Sagesse	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0

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