Qatar Overcomes Kuwait to Take Top Spot in Gulf U18 Basketball Championship

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July 28, 2026
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28-July-2026

Qatar Overcomes Kuwait to Take Top Spot in Gulf U18 Basketball Championship

DOHA - The Qatar U18 national basketball team took another decisive step toward its goal in the Gulf qualifiers for the Asian Championship, continuing its strong performances with a second consecutive victory in the tournament currently underway in Doha. The win strengthened Qatar’s position at the top of the standings with 4 points, level with Bahrain.

Qatar’s triumph came in the second round of the qualifiers after defeating Kuwait 81–53 on Monday evening, 27 July 2026. The result confirmed the team’s readiness to compete strongly for one of the two qualifying spots to the continental finals, scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, India, this August.

The Gulf qualifiers are staged at Al Gharafa Sports Hall from 25 to 30 July, featuring five teams: Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Oman. All teams compete in a single round‑robin format to determine the top two finishers who will advance to the Asian Championship.

Qatar’s second win reflected its impressive start to the competition, having edged Saudi Arabia 80–76 in a thrilling opening match. The team showed high focus and fighting spirit in crucial moments to secure victory. Across both games, Qatar displayed growing cohesion, tactical flexibility, and effective use of defensive organization, fast transitions, and individual talent.

The match against Kuwait saw Qatar dominate early, winning the first quarter 20–14 and extending the lead in the second (26–13). The third quarter continued in Qatar’s favor (25–14), while Kuwait produced its best spell in the fourth, edging 12–10, though the overall score remained firmly in Qatar’s hands.

Qatar’s Abdullah Yassin was the game’s top scorer with 21 points, while Kuwait’s Ali Al‑Hindal led his side with 11 points.

The Qatari squad features 12 promising talents led by captain Abdullah Yassin, alongside Tamim Ashraf Abouissa, Mishal Khalid Al‑Mughni, Moaz Omar Mousa, Azzam Mohammed Yaken, Ziad Tamer Al‑Johari, Mohammed Saeed Badri, Mahmoud Tamer Ibrahim, Amer Ibrahim Mousa, Owen Ikina, Youssef Walid Abdelqader, and Shahi Mohammed.

The team is managed by Khalid Ahmed Al‑Mughni, with head coach Cengiz Karadag assisted by Abdo Al‑Harji, Hashem Zaidan, and Munir Ben Ghalla, plus Kenan (fitness coach) and Saif Al‑Din Al‑Hamandi (physiotherapist). Administrative staff include Omar Ahmed and Ayoub Rahmatullah.

In another second‑round clash, Bahrain maintained its unbeaten run, defeating Oman 94–49 to also reach 4 points. Bahrain controlled the game from the outset, winning the first quarter 22–12 and the second 30–10, before sealing the third 25–9. Oman improved in the fourth (18–17), but Bahrain’s dominance secured a 45‑point margin. Bahrain had earlier opened its campaign with a 62–54 win over Saudi Arabia, underlining its credentials as a top contender alongside Qatar.

Oman, meanwhile, seeks to recover after its opening win over Kuwait (62–59) was followed by defeat to Bahrain. Kuwait hopes to rebound from losses to Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, with the round‑robin format keeping all teams in contention until the final day.

After two rounds, Qatar and Bahrain share the lead with 4 points each, while Oman and Kuwait sit third and fourth with 3 points apiece, and Saudi Arabia is fifth with 2 points.

Teams will rest on Tuesday, 28 July, before action resumes Wednesday, 29 July, with Saudi Arabia facing Kuwait at 5:00 p.m. and Qatar meeting Oman at 7:00 p.m. at Al Gharafa Hall. The qualifiers conclude Thursday, 30 July, with Oman vs. Saudi Arabia (5:00 p.m.) and Qatar vs. Bahrain (7:00 p.m.), a decisive encounter likely to determine the champion and final standings.

The Gulf qualifiers carry major significance as the pathway to the Asian U18 Championship, which in turn offers four tickets to the FIBA U19 World Cup 2027 in the Czech Republic.