Qatar continued their impressive run in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup Gulf Qualifiers with a commanding 81-53 victory over Kuwait at the Al Gharafa Indoor Hall yesterday, strengthening their bid for a place at the continental finals in Ahmedabad, India, this August.
The hosts produced another dominant display to register their second successive win and move to the top of the standings with four points, level with Bahrain but ahead on points difference. The victory further underlined Qatar’s credentials as one of the leading contenders for the two qualifying berths on offer.
Fresh from an exciting 80-76 opening-round win over Saudi Arabia, Qatar once again showcased their growing confidence, tactical discipline and defensive intensity. The team controlled the contest from the outset, combining organized defense with swift transition play and clinical finishing to overpower Kuwait.
Qatar seized the initiative by taking the opening quarter 20-14 before extending their advantage with a 26-13 second-quarter performance to establish a comfortable halftime lead. The hosts maintained their momentum after the break, dominating the third quarter 25-14 to put the result beyond doubt. Kuwait managed to edge the final period 12-10, but the outcome was never in doubt as Qatar cruised to a convincing 28-point victory.
Abdullah Yassin starred for Qatar with a game-high 21 points, while Kuwait’s Ali al-Hindal led his side with 11 points.
In the other second-round match, Bahrain also remained unbeaten after routing Oman 94-49. Bahrain dominated throughout, taking the first three quarters 22-12, 30-10 and 25-9 before Oman narrowly won the fourth 18-17. The emphatic victory followed Bahrain’s opening 62-54 success over Saudi Arabia.
After two rounds, Qatar and Bahrain lead the standings with four points each, while Oman and Kuwait are third and fourth on three points apiece. Saudi Arabia are fifth with two points, leaving the race for the two qualification spots wide open heading into the remaining matches of the round-robin competition.
