The first basketball team of Al-Ittihad Saudi Club continued its strong performances and winning streak, achieving a valuable and exciting victory over its guest Kazma of Kuwait with a score of 86-84, in the match that brought them together on Monday evening at the Ministry of Sports Hall (Green Hall) in Jeddah, as part of the fifth round of the first group of the Asian Basketball League Championship for West Asia - Gulf Region (WASL).
The match was highly competitive, with Al-Ittihad players establishing relative control from the outset, finishing the first half with a 46-42 lead. Despite the Kuwaiti team's desperate attempts to close the gap in the second half, Al-Ittihad's experience and solid defense ultimately secured the victory by just two points, confirming their place at the top of the group.
A well-deserved lead and the group's position
With this important victory, Al-Ittihad Club raised its points tally to 9 points, taking sole possession of the top spot in Group A and strengthening its chances of direct qualification to the final rounds, while the situation of Kuwait’s Kazma Club became more complicated as its tally remained at 6 points, keeping it in last place, which puts pressure on the Kuwaiti team in the remaining rounds to try to rectify the situation.
Wasl Championship: The Gateway to Global Success
This match holds special significance as it is part of the West Asian Basketball League (WASL), a tournament organized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). This tournament serves as the primary gateway for Gulf and Arab clubs to reach the FIBA Asia Champions Cup finals and subsequently compete for a place in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, which explains the intense enthusiasm and high level of competition displayed by both teams during the match.
The fans are the number one player
Al-Ittihad's victory wasn't a fluke or solely due to the players' efforts on the court; the club's loyal fans played a pivotal role in securing the win. The stands of the Green Hall in Jeddah were packed with supporters who created a magnificent spectacle and instilled enthusiasm in the players throughout the match, especially during the crucial final minutes when the visitors nearly turned the tables. This massive turnout reflects the immense popularity of basketball in Saudi Arabia and the strong bond between the club's fans and their team across all sports.
The development of Saudi basketball
This victory reflects the remarkable development that Saudi basketball has witnessed in recent years, with the support of the Ministry of Sports and the Saudi Basketball Federation, as Saudi clubs have become a force to be reckoned with in regional and continental competitions, capable of competing with the top clubs in the Gulf and Asia, which was clearly demonstrated in the high technical and tactical performance presented by Al-Ittihad Tigers against a strong competitor like Kuwait’s Kazma.
