Riyadi qualified for the semifinals of the Asia Champions Club Championship, BCL Asia, after securing their second victory in Group A against the Emirati club Chabab al-Ahli, with a score of 102-88 at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall.
This victory secured the top spot in the group for Al Riyadi, who will face the second place team from Group B, whose identity has not yet been revealed pending the final day of the group stage on Thursday.
A Slow Start
Coach Ahmad Farran started the match with a lineup consisting of Wael Arakji, Karim Zeinoun, Zach Lofton, Hayk Gyokchyan, and Thon Maker, a formation that had performed strongly against the Chinese team in the opening match, but was not as effective at the start of this game amidst a disorganized yellow defense. The first quarter ended in favor of the Emiratis with a score of 22-29.
In the second quarter, Riyadi tried to come back and regain the lead, but their tenacious opponent continued to put pressure on the Yellow club’s stars, who could not impose their usual style of play against the Emiratis, particularly due to their foreign players Travin Thibodeaux (23 points) and Sir Dominic Pointer (20 points). Nevertheless, Riyadi regained the lead before the end of the quarter (51-49).
Riyadi’s Defense Recovered
In the third quarter, Riyadi woke up on defense, allowing the Emiratis to score only 12 points, ending the third quarter with a lead of 74-61.
In the last quarter of the match, Riyadi managed the game their way, successfully imposing their style and controlling the flow of the game, which ended in yellow with a score of 102-88.
With this victory, Riyadi sends a clear message to their next opponent: the team is ready and determined to compete for the title and win the championship, which would crown an already historic season for this great club.
