Al Ittihad Alexandria 98-73 Al Manama: Dominant Arab Nations Cup Performance

Al Ittihad Alexandria delivered one of the most convincing results of the Arab Nations Cup basketball schedule on October 13, 2026, defeating Al Manama 98-73 in a game that was effectively decided long before the final buzzer. The Egyptian side controlled the tempo from the opening quarter, punished defensive mistakes with efficient perimeter shooting, and never allowed the Bahraini club to settle into a rhythm at either end of the floor.

The 25-point margin reflects just how complete the performance was. Al Ittihad Alexandria led by double digits early, stretched the advantage after halftime, and closed out the contest with the kind of poise expected from a team with serious ambitions in the competition. For Al Manama, the result leaves plenty to review, particularly on the defensive glass and in transition, where the game slipped away.

Match Overview

From the tip-off, Al Ittihad Alexandria looked sharper. The home side moved the ball with purpose, attacked closeouts, and used quick ball reversals to create open looks. Al Manama tried to slow the pace and work through half-court sets, but the Alexandria defense was aggressive without becoming reckless, forcing contested shots and turning long rebounds into fast-break opportunities.

The first half set the tone. Al Ittihad built a cushion with balanced scoring, while Al Manama struggled to string together stops. Every time the visitors threatened to cut into the lead, the Alexandria response was immediate, often coming from a three-pointer or a strong drive to the rim. By the time the teams reached the locker room, the contest already had the feel of a game Al Ittihad would not let slip.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

• First quarter: Al Ittihad Alexandria 24-16 Al Manama — The hosts established control with early outside shooting and active defense.
• Second quarter: Al Ittihad Alexandria 27-19 Al Manama — A decisive run before halftime pushed the lead to 16 points.
• Third quarter: Al Ittihad Alexandria 23-20 Al Manama — Al Manama found some offense, but never reduced the deficit significantly.
• Fourth quarter: Al Ittihad Alexandria 24-18 Al Manama — The Alexandria bench helped close out a comfortable victory.

Those quarter scores tell a simple story: Al Ittihad won every period. They were not reliant on one explosive stretch. Instead, they maintained pressure across all four quarters, which is often the mark of a team capable of making a deep run in the Arab Nations Cup standings.

Key Moments That Decided the Game

The most important stretch came in the second quarter. With Al Manama beginning to find some success inside, Al Ittihad Alexandria responded with a 12-2 run fueled by defensive stops and transition baskets. That sequence turned a manageable deficit into a double-digit mountain for the Bahraini side. Al Manama called timeout, but the momentum had already shifted permanently.

Another crucial moment arrived early in the third quarter. Al Manama came out of halftime with more energy and briefly looked capable of making a push. However, Al Ittihad answered with back-to-back three-pointers and a tough finish in the paint, restoring a 20-point cushion. From that point on, the game was about managing the clock and avoiding unnecessary fouls.

Tactical Story

Al Ittihad Alexandria’s game plan was built on pace and spacing. Their guards pushed the ball after defensive rebounds, and their big men set high screens to free up shooters. The result was a balanced attack that Al Manama could not contain. When the visitors switched defenses, Al Ittihad punished them inside. When they packed the paint, the Alexandria shooters made them pay from beyond the arc.

Defensively, Al Ittihad did an excellent job of disrupting Al Manama’s pick-and-roll coverage. They hedged hard on screens, forced the ball handler toward help, and rotated quickly enough to contest shots without giving up easy offensive rebounds. Al Manama’s half-court offense became stagnant at times, with too much dribbling and not enough player movement. That made it difficult for them to exploit any size advantage they might have had.

Standout Team Performance

This was a complete team win for Al Ittihad Alexandria. The scoring was spread across the rotation, which made them difficult to defend. Their bench contributed meaningful minutes, maintaining the defensive intensity and keeping the offense flowing when the starters rested. On the boards, Al Ittihad controlled the glass, limiting second-chance points and sparking their fast break.

Al Manama had some positive individual moments, particularly in the third quarter when their guards attacked the rim with more aggression. Bu