Beirut Club Cruise Past Al Sulaibikhat 84-64 in Arab Nations Cup

Beirut Club produced one of the most complete performances of the Arab Nations Cup so far, defeating Al Sulaibikhat 84-64 on 11 October 2026. The Lebanese side controlled the game from the opening minutes, building a double-digit lead before halftime and never allowing their opponents back into the contest.

It was a victory built on defensive pressure and perimeter shooting. Beirut's guards set the tone early, and their depth off the bench ensured the intensity never dropped across all four quarters. For Al Sulaibikhat, it was a difficult night against a side with genuine title ambitions in the regional competition.

Match Overview

Beirut opened with a 22-17 first quarter, establishing an early rhythm behind quick ball movement and accurate three-point shooting. The Kuwaiti side struggled to contain dribble penetration, repeatedly collapsing their defence and leaving shooters open on the wing.

The second quarter was the decisive stretch. Beirut outscored Al Sulaibikhat 23-14, pushing the lead to 45-31 at the break. From there, the game settled into a comfortable pattern, with Beirut managing their rotations and keeping the margin in double digits throughout the second half.

• Quarter 1: Al Sulaibikhat 17-22 Beirut Club
• Quarter 2: Al Sulaibikhat 14-23 Beirut Club
• Quarter 3: Al Sulaibikhat 18-20 Beirut Club
• Quarter 4: Al Sulaibikhat 15-19 Beirut Club
• Final Score: Al Sulaibikhat 64-84 Beirut Club

Key Moments

The defining run came midway through the second quarter. With Beirut leading 30-26, they rattled off eleven straight points over three minutes, combining steals with transition baskets to break the game open. Al Sulaibikhat called timeout, but the momentum had already shifted decisively.

Early in the fourth quarter, Al Sulaibikhat briefly trimmed the deficit to thirteen on a pair of free throws, but Beirut answered with back-to-back three-pointers that ended any lingering doubt and allowed their coach to empty the bench in the closing minutes.

Tactical Story

Beirut's defensive scheme was the story of the night. They pressed aggressively in the backcourt, forced turnovers, and converted those mistakes into easy points at the other end. Offensively, their spacing was excellent — shooters stayed wide, screeners rolled hard, and the ball rarely stuck in one player's hands.

Al Sulaibikhat's difficulties were largely offensive. Their half-court sets lacked movement, and too many possessions ended in contested jump shots. When they did get inside, Beirut's length and physicality disrupted their finishing, contributing to a shooting percentage well below their season norm.

Standout Players

• Karim Zein (Beirut Club): A game-high 24 points with five three-pointers, effectively putting the game out of reach in the second quarter.
• Elie Chamoun (Beirut Club): 15 points, eight assists and four steals — the engine of Beirut's pressure defence.
• Jad Haddad (Beirut Club): 12 points and eleven rebounds for a double-double off the bench.
• Yousef Al-Rashidi (Al Sulaibikhat): 19 points and seven rebounds in a battling individual display.
• Fahad Al-Mutairi (Al Sulaibikhat): 11 points, four assists and two steals.

Season Impact

The win puts Beirut Club in a strong position in the Arab Nations Cup group phase, with their point differential now among the best in the competition. Their combination of perimeter shooting and defensive pressure makes them a difficult matchup for any opponent in the knockout rounds. Al Sulaibikhat, meanwhile, will need to address their half-court offence quickly if they are to stay in contention — this defeat leaves them with little margin for error in their remaining group fixtures.