Al Rayyan’s Asi Al Khalidi (in white) tries to get past Al Shamal’s Hassam Ismail during their Qatar Basketball League match at Al Gharafa Stadium, yesterday. RIGHT: Al Ahli’s Hashem Zaydan Abshar (14) attempts to score a basket during his side’s match against Al Wakra.
By Danotzi Santos
DOHA: Al Wakra needed five more minutes and two crucial steals in the homestretch of the extra period to subdue a fighting Al Ahli 72-69 in the Qatar Basketball League held at the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena, yesterday.
Al Ahli surged ahead in the early quarter as Samer Mohammed and Mohammed Bekaled pushed their team in command at 21-16 after 10 minutes of play.
Ayeni Olatukombo and Temi Soyebo sparked a 10-4 run to place Al Wakra ahead for the first time at 26-25 with 2:30 remaining in the second period.
However, Al Ahli regained consciousness and fought back to wrest the lead back 30-29 at halftime.
The two squads battled it out after the mid-game ceasefire but coach Ihab Galal’s charges burned rubber unleashing an 8-0 run to barge their way up from a 36-37 deficit and hold on to the driver’s seat 49-42, at the end of the third period. The intense Beka anchored an 11-3 onslaught early in the final canto to give Al Ahli a taste of the lead, 53-52, with 4:50 to go.
Soyebo fed Nasser Al Gidea for a slam in the ensuing play and fired a trey later to hand Wakrah a 57-53 lead.
At 59-all, Soyebothen split his charities to give Al Wakra the lead at 60-59 but Hasheem Zaidan pushed Al Ahli ahead at 62-60 with 30 seconds remaining in the game.
Ayeni was fouled on the next play and canned both tries from the charity lane to even the score at 62-all, sending the game into over-time.
Meanwhile, Al Rayyan fortified their defence of the Qatar Basketball League title with an 83-61 demolition of Al Shamal earlier in the first game.
Al Rayyan led throughout the match, at 24-13 in the first period, 56-26 at half-time and established their biggest advantage of 42 points at 74-32 in the third quarter to break the backs of Al Shamal. THE PENINSULA
