Qatar’s Mohamed Hassan Mohamed goes for the basket against Hong Kong in the Group C game during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta in this August 14 file photo.
Doha: Qatar will be looking to make amends to their campaign in the second round of FIBA World Cup qualifiers when they meet Group F leaders Australia in Doha on September 13.
Qatar won two out of their six matches in the first leg and are placed at the bottom of the points table with only eight points.
The group also includes Iran, The Philippines, Kazakhstan and Japan.
Qatar will be looking for full points in their home game which will be played at the Al Gharafa Sports Club in search of a place in the top three to secure a berth in next year’s World Cup.
Commenting on the challenge that team Qatar is facing in the second round, Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) Secretary General Ali Al Malki said, “All the pressure is on us but with a home advantage we are hoping to cause an upset against the Boomers”.
“The second round of qualification will consist of six games, three home and three away, against Australia, Japan and Philipines” he said.
“If we can win all three home games and overcome the Aussies and Philippines away then we will definitely advance to next years World Cup qualifiers. It will be a big ask but we have the players to do it” Al Malki emphasised.
Australia and Iran both have 11 points while Philippines have collected 10 points at the end of the first round.
Only the top three teams from this group will qualify for the World Cup in September 2019 in China.
