By Danotzki Santos/Doha

 

Al Rayyan and Al Sadd head back to the Al Gharafa Indoor Arena tonight, this time battling for the prestigious HH the Emir Cup title in what is expected to be a tight contest between two of the strongest squads in the kingdom. The match begins at 6pm.

The match assumes added significance because it would decide who claims the bragging rights for the season. With Al Sadd winning the Qatar Basketball League and Al Rayyan taking the Heir Apparent Cup, the Emir Cup victory would in a way decide the best team in Qatar.

“The final match will be like Qatar’s NBA final”, Qatar Basketball Federation president Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani said after the pre-match press conference during which team captains and coaches vowed to deliver a final “worth remembering.”

The current Heir Apparent Cup champions Al Rayyan, have figured in all but one of the past thirteen (13) Emir Basketball Cup championships, winning seven (7) of them and getting runners-up honours five times. They have also been in all three league championship duels this season.

Defending champions and reigning League title-holders Al Sadd, on the other hand are two-time Emir Cup titlists, with both crowns won against Al Rayyan whom they bested last year and in 2004. 

At the forefront of Al Rayyan’s quest for their second title this season will be veteran internationalists Yaseen Moosa and Tanguy Ngombo, backstopped by the wily Harold Boney Watson at the point, the explosive Erfan Saeed at the wings, and the agile behemoth Jeremeo Davidson in the shaded area.

Al Sadd would be banking on the awesome duo of internationalists Saad Abdulrahman and Mousa Daoud, and while they enjoy advantage in the paint with behemoths Michael Benjamin Southall and Ibrahim Thomas, should draw heads-up performance from Rashad Anderson and Chris dela Rosa to stop Rayyan.

 “The final is being played between two very, very good teams who match up well,” said Al Rayyan coach Brian Rowsom who is determined to avenge his team’s defeat to Al Sadd in the league.

“We made some mistakes in the league against Al Sadd which cost us the title, but now we are much better prepared,” the former Indiana Pacers and Charlotte Hornets player added.

Rowsom said he had been studying Al Sadd’s matches on video to figure out their strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the big game. “Yes, video analyses were part of our build-up. It’s important these days to be aware of everything the opposition might come up with.”

The American, however, refused to blame his team for the league fiasco.

“The players always do their best and follow their coach’s advice so I can’t blame them. Whenever my team loses I always take the blame.”

Al Rayyan captain Moosa said he was confident of Al Rayyan claiming a double this season.

“The final will be a match worth remembering,” said Moosa, who has also captained Qatar. “Al Sadd are a very good team, they are the defending champions, but we are confident of dethroning them.”

Al Sadd coach Dejan Tomic praised Al Rayyan saying the match would be keenly contested.

“We will try our best to win, but we know it is going to be difficult,” said the Serbian. “Al Rayyan are a well-coached team who don’t give up easily. Also, they are motivated after losing the league and therefore will be coming hard at us.”