Qatar look to bounce back against China after opening defeat

AHMEDABAD: Qatar’s under-18 basketball team will look to recover from an opening defeat when they face China in their second Group C match at the FIBA U-18 Asian Championship on Sunday.

Qatar lost 94-69 to Iran in their opening game in Ahmedabad, struggling to keep pace after Iran established a 19-9 lead in the first quarter and extended it to 30-17 at halftime.

The Maroons responded after the break, winning the third quarter 26-21 as their attacking play improved, but Iran regained control in the final period, outscoring Qatar 24-17 to secure the win.

Qatar captain Abdullah Yassin Mousa led all scorers with 26 points, while Iran’s Mohammad Shamsi Anbouhi contributed 19.

Qatar will face China at 8 a.m. Doha time on Sunday, with China having opened their campaign with a 103-55 win over Sri Lanka.

Iran and China sit at the top of Group C, while Qatar and Sri Lanka are both on one point.

Qatar will complete the group stage against Sri Lanka on Aug. 18. Group winners advance directly to the quarter-finals, while teams finishing second and third will enter the playoff qualifiers.

Qatar secured their place in the tournament after finishing second in the Gulf U-18 qualifiers in Doha. The championship also serves as a pathway to the 2027 FIBA U-19 World Cup in the Czech Republic, with the four semi-finalists qualifying.