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The “Yellows” left no chance for Amman United in their opening game of the FIBA West Asia Super League. A dominant offensive display set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
The reigning champions showed no signs of weakness in their first game of the FIBA West Asia Super League (WASL). Al Riyadi, true to its reputation, cruised past Amman United Club with a commanding 108-88 victory on Wednesday night at Nouhad Nawfal Stadium.
From the start, the Lebanese side took control, applying early pressure and securing a one-sided first quarter (30-18).
Gyokchyan in Sniper Mode
Hayk Gyokchyan set the tone with incredible shooting accuracy, finishing the game with 25 points on 9/13 shooting, including four three-pointers and an insane buzzer-beater from half-court. He also grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 2 assists, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor.
Zeinoun & Arakji: The Game Changers
Alongside him, Karim Zeinoun played the role of a game-changer, scoring 19 points, including 11 in the first quarter, suffocating Amman right from the start. He added 3 rebounds and 6 assists, bringing his creativity to the Lebanese squad.
As always, Wael Arakji put on a show. Not only did he distribute 8 assists, but he also scored 18 points, including a devastating poster dunk on Yousef Abuwazaneh, which will surely be replayed in highlights for a long time.
A Well-Oiled Machine
The foreign reinforcements also contributed: George King and Ily Diop each added 13 points, in a game where Al Riyadi’s team chemistry shined. They posted an impressive 53.4% shooting percentage and 32 assists as a team.
A Weakened but Unstoppable Riyadi
This victory is even more impressive considering Al Riyadi was missing a foreign player and had several key players struggling with injuries. Karim Zeinoun and Amir Saoud, both injured during the FIBA break, played without any training, while Ismail Ahmad was returning from a long absence.
“I want to give all the credit to my players. It wasn’t easy, but they stepped up. I’m very proud of them,” said head coach Ahmad Farran.
A perfect start for the Jaunes, who will now face Tabiat on Friday night in a highly anticipated Lebanon-Iran showdown.
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