Qatar Edges Kuwait : Khalifa Sports City Arena Witnesses Qatar's Gritty Comeback

TDT | Manama

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Qatar scraped past Kuwait with a 76-72 win in the 3rd round of the Gulf Basketball Championship.

Following their recent setback against Saudi Arabia, Qatar entered the match with renewed focus. The first quarter ended with Qatar clinging to a slim 20-19 lead. However, Kuwait quickly countered in the second quarter, dominating with a 24-18 run and taking a 43-38 advantage into halftime.

Decisive Moments in the Third Quarter

The tide began to turn in the third quarter as Qatar’s defense stiffened, limiting Kuwait to just 10 points. With a composed and disciplined approach, Qatar trimmed Kuwait's lead to a single point, setting the stage for a dramatic final quarter.

Qatar Seals the Win

In the final quarter, Qatar unleashed a determined offensive push, outscoring Kuwait 24-19. Their efforts resulted in a 76-72 win, a much-needed victory that boosted their confidence heading to the latter stages of the tournament.

Qatar, a six-time Gulf Basketball Champion, will carry the momentum from this win into the semi-finals. 

Kuwait Coach Reflects on Missed Opportunities

“We controlled the course of the match and its beginning, but due to a lack of concentration and missed shots, we lost the match,” said a disappointed Oliver Kostic, manager of the Kuwait national team.

Qatar's Coach Reflects on Strong Performance Despite Key Absences

"We played a good game and tried to stop the opponent from scoring. We had important players out, like Mustafa. We managed and controlled the game, unlike other matches in the competition. Now, we focus on the semi-finals as this tournament's structure has given every nation a second chance," said a determined Thanasis Skortopoulos, coach of the Qatar national team.

Player of the Match

Qatar's win was bolstered by the outstanding performance of Tyler James Harris, who earned the Player of the Match honors. Harris dominated the court with an impressive stat line of 23 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 assists while shooting a remarkable 58% from the field.