Action during the match between Qatar and Sri Lanka.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar secured their first win in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup yesterday as they beat Sri Lanka 90-43 in their final Group C match in Ahmedabad, India.
The win capped Qatar’s group stage campaign with a much-needed triumph that saw them advance into the knock-out stage.
Qatar opened with sharp offensive focus, then raised the tempo in the third and fourth quarters.
The opening quarter ended 20–17 in Qatar’s favour, followed by a stronger second quarter that closed 18–9, giving the team a 12‑point half time lead. The third quarter proved decisive, as Qatar tightened defensive pressure and excelled offensively, outscoring Sri Lanka 29–10.
The final quarter sealed the victory with a 23–7 run, bringing the total to 90 points against Sri Lanka’s 43 — a commanding 47‑point margin.
Team captain Abdullah Yassin Mousa stood out, leading all scorers with 37 points and spearheading Qatar’s attack in a match that demanded resilience after earlier defeats to Iran and China.
Sri Lanka’s Sudam Liyanage was his side’s top scorer with 10 points.
The result lifted Qatar to third place in Group C with 4 points (one win, two losses), behind China (6 points) and Iran (5 points). Sri Lanka finished fourth with 3 points from three defeats.
China advanced directly into the quarter-finals, while Qatar will contest a playoff against the second‑placed team from Group D for a spot in the last eight.
Iran, meanwhile, will face the third‑placed team from Group D in another playoff.
Qatar’s improved showing against Sri Lanka reflected adjustments made by head coach Mounir Ben Zeghala and his staff, who worked to address defensive lapses, reduce turnovers, and refine offensive execution after the opening two losses. The victory provided a crucial morale boost ahead of the playoff stage, which will test Qatar’s ability to handle knockout competition.
Group winners qualify directly for the quarter-finals, while second and third‑placed teams contest playoffs to complete the lineup.
Playoff matches are scheduled for August 20, followed by quarter-finals on August 21, semifinals on August 22, and the final on August 23.
Reaching the semi-finals carries added significance, as four teams that advance will earn qualification to the 2027 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup to be held Czech Republic (June 26 – July 4, 2027).
