Bahrain’s Brave Fight Falls Short Against UAE

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Yesterday, the UAE secured an important win over Bahrain in a matchup at the 2025 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Despite Bahrain’s valiant early efforts, UAE’s tactical brilliance and powerful finish in the fourth quarter sealed the win.

Bahrain’s Early Fight, UAE’s Resilient Finish

Bahrain came out strong in the first half, with standout performances from Mustafa Rashed and Hamid Albreiki. Rashed’s clutch free throws and Albreiki’s sharp three-pointers fueled a remarkable 22-0 run, briefly giving Bahrain the lead. However, turnovers and missed opportunities gradually disrupted Bahrain’s rhythm, allowing the UAE to mount a comeback. UAE’s strong tactical execution in the final quarters, led by Mamadou Ndiaye and Qais Omar Alshabebi, took full control of the game. Ndiaye’s pivotal rebounds and free throws, combined with Alshabebi’s defensive resilience, swung the momentum in UAE’s favor. Bahrain fought back in the final quarter, but an 11-0 run by UAE proved too much to overcome.

The Lead Up

Leading up to this game, Bahrain had been in fine form, buoyed by Ahmed Haji’s record-breaking performance in the Continental Cup Qualifiers. Haji’s 35-point effort, including 33 points from beyond the arc, helped Bahrain secure a 76-71 victory over Syria. His outstanding shooting performance boosted Bahrain’s confidence going into their Gulf Basketball Championship clash with UAE. This came after a tough loss to Lebanon, while UAE, eager for a win after their own 99-77 defeat, entered the game with a determined mindset.

Game Breakdown

UAE dominated the shooting battle with a field goal percentage of 45.7% compared to Bahrain’s 37.9%. UAE also excelled in two-point shooting, converting 53.66% of their attempts, while Bahrain managed 51.43%. In three-point shooting, UAE outpaced Bahrain 34.48% to 22.58%. Despite Bahrain’s superior free-throw shooting at 86.96%, compared to UAE’s 69.57%, the latter had the edge in rebounding, pulling down 47 boards (13 offensive, 34 defensive) compared to Bahrain’s 32 (7 offensive, 25 defensive). Both teams were evenly matched in assists, with UAE recording 19 and Bahrain 18. UAE also had the advantage in bench points, contributing 46 points to Bahrain’s 15.

Key Performers

DeMarco Dickerson and Devon Chism played crucial roles for UAE. Dickerson was a key offensive threat, contributing with scoring and rebounds, while Chism’s defensive presence was vital in limiting Bahrain’s offensive chances. Match Details

• Venue: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai

• Date: November 25, 2024

• Referees: Issam Al Siyabi (Oman), Taha Al-Hashedi (Yemen), Aryan Jamshidi (Iran)

• Attendance: 150 fans

• Event: Gulf Basketball Championship

Despite Bahrain’s early surge, UAE’s composure and tactical execution in the latter stages of the game led them to victory. Bahrainis will be optimistic that their team will bounce back stronger in their upcoming matches.