Doha : The Qatar U-18 national basketball team will play a decisive match against Japan at 2:00 p.m. Doha time on Thursday, August 20, as part of the playoff round for qualification to the quarterfinals of the Asian U-18 Championship, currently taking place in Ahmedabad, India. The Qatari team enters the clash determined to secure victory in order to continue its continental journey and move closer to the dream of qualifying for the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup.
Qatar finished the group stage in third place in Group C with 4 points, recording one win and two losses. The team lost to Iran (69–94) in the opening round, then to China (66–118) in the second, before bouncing back with a commanding 90–43 win over Sri Lanka in the third round to keep its hopes alive and secure a place in the playoff.
If Qatar defeats Japan, it will advance to face New Zealand in the quarterfinals on August 21. Other playoff matches feature Syria vs. the Philippines, Bahrain vs. Chinese Taipei, and Iran vs. India, with winners joining the quarterfinal lineup.
Qatar delivered its best performance of the tournament against Sri Lanka, gradually taking control of the game. The team won the first quarter 20–17, extended the lead in the second (18–9), dominated the third (29–10), and sealed the fourth (23–7), earning a resounding 47-point victory.
Abdullah Yassin Mousa was the standout performer, scoring 37 points with 7 rebounds. Azam Mohammed Yaken contributed an all-around display, nearly achieving a triple-double with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, along with 4 steals from Qatar’s total of 14.
Japan enters the match after finishing second in Group D with 5 points, winning two games and losing one. They defeated India (91–56) and Kazakhstan (81–45), but narrowly lost to South Korea (64–67). Japan’s results highlight its offensive strength and ability to impose its style, especially when given space, which requires Qatar to maintain high focus from the start.
Unlike the group stage, this knockout match will determine advancement: the winner secures a quarterfinal berth, while the loser exits the tournament.
Qatar relies on a group of young talents who gained valuable experience in the first round, including Abdullah Yassin Mousa, Azam Mohammed Yaken, Tamim Ashraf Abu Issa, Ziad Al-Bitar, Moaz Omar Mousa, Ziad Tamer Al-Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Mousa, Owen Ikina, Youssef Walid Abdelqader, and Shahi Mohammed.
Head coach Mounir Ben Zqala of Algeria is working to capitalize on the team’s morale boost from the win over Sri Lanka, with emphasis on defensive focus, reducing turnovers, and improving offensive choices—key factors against a strong attacking side like Japan.
Historically, Qatar and Japan have shared mixed results in Asian competitions. Their last meeting was at the 2024 U-18 Asian Championship, where Japan won 73–55. However, Qatar holds a positive memory from the 1998 U-18 Asian Championship semifinals, when it defeated Japan 78–66, proving that encounters between the two sides have produced victories for both.
The significance of this match extends beyond quarterfinal qualification. Reaching the semifinals is a strategic goal for Qatar, as the four semifinalists will qualify for the FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup 2027, scheduled in Pardubice, Czech Republic, from June 26 to July 4, 2027.
Quarterfinal matches will be played on August 21, semifinals on August 22, and the final on August 23.
The Qatari delegation is headed by Mr. Saadoun Sabah Al-Kuwari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Director of National Teams. The technical staff is led by Algerian coach Mounir Ben Zqala, assisted by Hashem Zaidan, with Kenan overseeing physical preparation and Saif Al-Din Al-Hamandi supervising medical and rehabilitation duties.
