Riyadh-based Al-Nassr club edged past Shabab Ahli Dubai of the United Arab Emirates 114-111 in the extra time in Dubai on Friday; qualifying for the finals of the 40th edition of the Gulf Clubs Basketball Championship.
The nail-biting match, which ended at 97-97 each in the original time, needed the extra time to decide the winners.
Al-Nassr will now meet the Kuwaiti Al-Kuwait team; also qualified for the Asian Champions Cup, in the finals on Saturday.
With a berth at the finals of the Gulf Clubs Basketball Championship, the Al-Nassr club becomes the first side to qualify for the 2021 FIBA Asia Champions Cup in 10 years.
Jeddah-based Ittihad was the last Saudi side that participated in the Asian championship in the Philippines in 2011.
Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al-Faisal also congratulated the Saudi team on Twitter; for qualifying for the finals of the Gulf Clubs Basketball Championship and securing a berth for the Asian championship.
