Al Arabi opened their Arab Nations Cup campaign with a commanding 89-61 victory over Hoops on October 10, 2026. The hosts were in control from the opening quarter, combining tight defense with balanced scoring to secure a comfortable win. The 28-point margin sent a clear message to the rest of the competition that Al Arabi will be a force to reckon with.

Match Overview

Al Arabi wasted little time establishing their dominance, racing to a 24-16 lead after the first quarter. They extended the advantage to 47-30 by halftime, thanks to a 23-14 second period that featured sharp three-point shooting and aggressive rebounding. Hoops tried to adjust in the third quarter, but Al Arabi’s defense continued to frustrate them, and the lead grew to 69-47 heading into the final period.

• First quarter: Al Arabi 24, Hoops 16
• Second quarter: Al Arabi 23, Hoops 14
• Third quarter: Al Arabi 22, Hoops 17
• Fourth quarter: Al Arabi 20, Hoops 14
• Final score: Al Arabi 89, Hoops 61

Key Moments

The decisive run came late in the second quarter. Leading 35-26, Al Arabi closed the half on a 12-4 surge, capped by a fast-break dunk and a step-back three-pointer. That pushed the lead to 47-30 and took the wind out of Hoops’ sails. Early in the third quarter, Al Arabi added a 7-0 run to put the game completely out of reach.

Al Arabi shot 52% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, while holding Hoops to just 39% shooting. They also won the rebound battle 41-32 and recorded 22 assists, demonstrating excellent ball movement. Hoops committed 17 turnovers, which Al Arabi converted into 24 points.

Standout Performances

• Mohamed Hassan (Al Arabi): 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists — led all scorers and set the tone early.
• Ahmed Al-Muftah (Al Arabi): 18 points, 9 rebounds — dominated the interior and controlled the glass.
• Khalid Ibrahim (Al Arabi): 14 points, 7 assists — orchestrated the offense with precision.
• Ali Jassim (Hoops): 15 points, 5 rebounds — the visitors’ most consistent threat.
• Omar Farouk (Hoops): 12 points, 4 assists — struggled with turnovers but remained aggressive.

What It Means

The victory gives Al Arabi an early advantage in the Arab Nations Cup group stage and builds momentum for their next fixture. Hoops will need to regroup quickly, particularly on the defensive end, where they allowed too many open looks. The head-to-head result could prove crucial if tiebreakers come into play later in the tournament.