Kuwait U-18 Faces Tough Test Against Algeria
Cairo – Kuwait’s U-18 national basketball team will face a formidable challenge this evening as they go head-to-head with Algeria at 7:00 p.m. in the fifth and final preliminary round of the 22nd Arab U-18 Basketball Championship, held at the Cairo International Stadium sports complex.
The game is a critical one for Kuwait, whose chance of advancing to the finals hinges on a strong showing against one of the tournament’s top-ranked teams. Earlier in the day, Qatar takes on Tunisia at 5:00 p.m., followed by host nation Egypt clashing with group leaders Bahrain at 9:00 p.m.
The tournament features six teams competing in a single round-robin format, with only the top two teams earning a spot in Sunday’s final. The third-place playoff will precede the championship match and will include the teams finishing third and fourth in the group standings.
So far, Kuwait has managed just one win, a narrow 61-59 victory over Qatar. However, the team has tasted defeat against Tunisia (41-78) and Bahrain (57-81), placing extra pressure on today’s game. Their opponent, Algeria, has proven themselves a strong contender in the competition, notably defeating Egypt 76-74 in a dramatic double overtime encounter. Despite a subsequent 54-80 loss to Bahrain, Algeria remains one of the most balanced and physically capable teams in the championship.
Kuwait’s head coach Talal Al-Kallaf is expected to rely heavily on core players such as team Captain Abdulaziz Al-Mutawa, strong forward Freij Al-Freij, and guard Abdullah Al-Juraid to navigate Algeria’s solid defense. Meanwhile, Ali Al-Hindal, the team’s towering center, is anticipated to be a critical figure in defensive rebounds and interior coverage.
With both pride and progression on the line, tonight’s fixture is set to be a true test of Kuwait’s resilience and growth on the regional stage.
Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
