Qatar Go Down Fighting In Thriller Against New Zealand
Doha, Qatar – In a gripping finale to the fourth stage of the FIBA U23 3×3 Nations League (Asia-Pacific), Qatar’s men’s team showcased immense courage and skill, narrowly falling to New Zealand by a tense 21-20 scoreline at the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) Hall in Al Gharafa on Monday.
Emerging as a formidable force in Pool B, the Qatari squad dispatched Chinese Taipei and Singapore with commanding victories of 21-11 and 21-12 respectively. These wins propelled the home team into the final, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown with unbeaten New Zealand.
Despite the razor-thin defeat, Qatar’s consistency across all stages has kept them in a strong position. With just two more rounds remaining, the hosts have now collected 340 points from four completed stages. Their run includes second-place finishes in stages one and two, and a stage three victory.
However, it is New Zealand who currently top the overall standings with 380 points, having clinched victories in the first, second, and fourth stages. The Philippines occupy the third spot with 280 points, followed by Singapore (215 points), Chinese Taipei (210), and Indonesia (195).
In contrast to the men’s impressive showcase, the Qatar women’s team struggled on the floor. They suffered heavy losses to both The Philippines (9-21) and New Zealand (3-21) in Group A action. The team, comprising Salha Ismail, Mona Abdelmonem, Sama Gasir, and Lamis Gamal Hanafi, has found the competition tough and currently stand at the bottom of the rankings with 180 points.
The Philippines lead the women’s standings with 370 points, closely followed by Chinese Taipei (320), New Zealand (310), Singapore (230), and Indonesia (210).
All focus now shifts to the fifth and penultimate round, scheduled for today, as teams continue their battle for ranking points and a spot in the coveted global tournament.
Hosted by the Qatar Basketball Federation, the FIBA U23 3×3 Nations League in Doha is a key part of the nation’s promotional efforts in the lead-up to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will be held in Qatar. Organised in partnership with FIBA, the event also acts as a qualifying tournament for the FIBA U23 3×3 Basketball World Cup, to be held in Xiong’an, China, from September 17-21. The winners in Doha will secure an automatic berth in the global finals.
As the tournament intensifies, all eyes will be on whether Qatar can capitalize on home advantage to gain momentum and push for qualification in the final two rounds.
— Team V.DIR-EM-UAE
