Sports Reporter/Doha

Action from one of the games in the Qatar Basketball League this week
League leaders Al Rayyan troop back to action today with a fighting Al Arabi squad trying to get in the way of the defending champions’ bid to snare a rare four-peat achievement in the Qatar Men’s Basketball League being held at the Al Gharafa Sports Club.
Bannered by National Team stalwarts Targuy Alban Ngombo, Erfan Ali Saeed, Mohamed Hassan Mohamed and the ever-dependable veteran Yaseen Ismail Musa, coach Brian Rowsom’s charges will test the mettle of a relentless Al Arabi five led by their lone counterpart in ace-point guard Mansour Elhadary in the main game of today’s double header.
In the curtain-raiser, second-running Al Sadd at 9-2, is riding high on a 4-game winning streak and attempts to keep their title hopes alive as they go up against El Jaish, 6-5, which fought tooth and nail before succumbing to powerhouse Al Rayyan on Tuesday. Al Saad will continue to bank on the daunting presence of import Michael Benjamin Southall and wingman Khalid Suliman Abdi in the shaded area, and the prolific backcourt tandem of National Team mainstays Saad Abdulrahman Ali and Daoud Mousa Daoud.
Earlier this week, Al Sadd fortified its hold of second spot in the standings after a 72-57 demolition of Al Wakrah.
Benjamin Southall led his team’s first period domination of their foes contributing 15 points, as Jibril Abdoulaye chipped in 14 to keep Al Sadd ahead 40-28 at halftime.
Daoud Mousa Daoud and Abdulrahman Ali, took the cudgels from the foul-troubled import and pounded further on Wakrah at the start of the third to push Al Sadd to a commanding 70-49 lead midway into the final period.
Abdoulaye led all scorers with 27 with Southhall contributing 17 despite sitting-it out the whole third period. Sou Abdou finished with 19 for the losing team.
Results
25-02-2012
1700: El Jaish Vs Sadd
1845: Rayyan Vs Arabi
26-02-2012
1700:Gharafa Vs Ahli
1845: Wakrah Vs Qatar
28-02-2012
1700: Arabi Vs Gharafa
1845: Sadd Vs Rayyan
29-02-2012
1700: Qatar Vs El Jaish
1845: Wakrah Vs Ahli