Shabab Al-Ahly basket needs time to appear better

The new coach of the basketball team at Shabab Al-Ahly Club, Serbian coach Miodrag Perisic, confirmed that the “Knights of Basketball” are capable of providing the best performance in their journey in the “West Asian Super Championship”, despite the difficult victory that the team achieved over its guest, Al-Ahly of Bahrain, with a score of (91-88). ), the day before yesterday, in Dubai, within the pre-final round of the group stage for the Gulf region.

In his first test with the Knights in the West Asian Super League, Perisic said, “The team needs more time in training and to present ourselves better.”

The Serbian coach explained, in press statements, that “the team can do much more than that, and we need time to understand what we want, and I hope over the coming period to achieve this, and to be better as we continue our journey in the (West Asian Super League).”

Shabab Al-Ahly finally decided to sign Serbian Perisic, coming from Al-Wasl Club, in a mission during which he succeeded, and in his first appearance with the team in the “West Asia Super,” in leading the “Knights” to renew their victory over Bahraini Al-Ahly in the group league, following Shabab’s victory. Al-Ahly last November, under the leadership of its former coach, Tunisian Walid Zoraida, in the first leg in Manama with a score of (76-73).

Shabab Al-Ahly suffered in the return match to achieve a difficult victory over Al-Ahly of Bahrain, after a first quarter in which the visitors prevailed by (21-16), before the “Knights of the Basketball” were able to reduce the difference at the end of the first half to a point, giving them the advantage with the result of the second quarter (22). -18).

The turning point in the match came with the start of the second half, when Shabab Al-Ahly, by relying on a pressing defense and limiting the threat of the Bahrainis in three-pointers, was able to return the result of the match and decide the third period with a clear advantage with a score of (31-23), in a difference that allowed the “Knights” » By emerging as winners of the match, despite the result of the fourth period going to Al-Ahly of Bahrain (26-22).

Shabab Al-Ahly maintained its position as runner-up to the first group teams with nine points, one point behind Al-Kuwait, the leader of Kuwait, and the loss of Al-Ahly of Bahrain led to it remaining in third place with six points, two points behind Al-Bashaer of Oman, who is in fourth and last place.

On January 20, Shabab Al-Ahly will head to the Kuwaiti capital, for the return match against host Al-Kuwaiti, in a summit meeting requested by the “Knights of the Basketball” with the slogan of compensation, after their loss in the first leg in Dubai last December with a score of (71-75), especially since the success of Shabab Al-Ahly in Winning the second leg by a margin of more than four points will ensure that they seize the top spot in the group and qualify directly for the semi-finals of the “West Asia Super” from the Gulf region.

Washington and Abdul Latif

American professional DeShawndre Washington and young talent Hamed Abdel Latif contributed effectively to Shabab Al-Ahly’s victory over Al-Ahly of Bahrain, after Washington was able to record the highest effectiveness rate in the match, at 34%, by successfully scoring 32 points and nine rebounds (a successful catch of the ball). rebounded from the basket), made four assists to his teammates, and intercepted the ball three times in front of the opposing team’s players.

Abdul Latif continued his brilliance with the team by scoring 25 points, with a success rate on average throws of 56.2%, in addition to his defensive contribution with four successful catches of balls bouncing off the basket.

91% of free throws

The success rate for free throws of 91% was a major factor in Shabab Al-Ahly achieving its victory over Al-Ahly of Bahrain, which was satisfied with a success rate limited to 88%. Despite the clear superiority of the effectiveness of the Bahraini players in terms of success rates under the Shabab Al-Ahly basket, which amounted to 66.67%, compared to 51.92% for the “Knights”, the closing of the defensive outlets, especially in the second half, contributed to Shabab Al-Ahly achieving its victory, with a total of 31 successful shots. For balls bouncing off the basket, compared to 26 for the Bahrainis.

Miodrag Perisic:

. The team can do much more than that.

. I hope we will be better during our journey in the West Asian Super League.