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Kazakhstan beat Qatar 96-63 in World Cup qualifiers

Astana, Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan beat Qatar won 96-63 in the fourth round of the Asian Group qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup in China.

Qatar fought well in the first two quarters and were locked at 33-33, but the hosts held on to their nerves to outscore their opponents 32-19 and 31-11 for their third win in four matches. 

Guard Abdulrahman Saad had the best tally for Qatar with 15 and forward Khalid Suleiman Abdi chipped in with 13. 

For Kazakhstan, Rustam Yargali scord 22, including six three-pointers. Alexandr Zhigufin added 19, while Vadim Chsherbak netted 14 and Anton Bykov posted 13. 

Kazakhstan excelled in beyond the arc shooting, sinking 17 out of 37 shots. 

Qatar had lost the opening match of the first round to Kazakhstan at home as well. 

Kazakhstan became one of the four teams along with Australia, Iran and the Philippines to be assured of a place in the second stage of the qualifiers.

Australia have clean-swept all the four games while Iran and the Philippines have an identical 3-1 record. 

Three top teams from each of the four groups will advance to the next stage of the continental qualifying event. Qatar will need to win one of the remaining two matches to ensure their qualification from the Pool D. 

Qatar will host Iran in Doha in the fifth round on June 29, and will conclude their matches by playing another home game against Iraq on July 2.

Apart from Asia, eight teams from across Americas and Europe have secured their passage through to the second round.

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