Doha: The Qatar national under-18 basketball team lost 80-75 to Japan today in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup, currently being held in Ahmedabad, India, bringing Qatar's participation in the tournament to an end.
According to Qatar News Agency, despite the defeat, Qatar produced an impressive performance throughout all four quarters and competed strongly for a place in the next round, but fortune was not on the team's side at several key moments.
Qatar lost the first quarter 20-13, with Japan displaying speed and a high level of concentration in possession. However, the Qatari team responded in the second quarter, winning it 22-18 after a strong performance.
Qatar then imposed its advantage in the third quarter, winning 20-17 and demonstrating its superiority for significant periods of the game.
Japan, however, raised its intensity and pace in the fourth quarter and capitalized on moments of pressure as Qatar pushed forward. The Japanese side maintained its composure to win the final quarter 25-20 and secure an 80-75 victory.
The result saw Japan advance to the quarterfinals, while Qatar exited the competition.