QATARIS STUN ARAKJI, CEDARS AT HOME IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS UPSET

QATAR made the biggest shocker at the end of the opening window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

The Qataris stunned Lebanon at home, 86-83, behind naturalized player Brandon Goodwin, the former NBA player, who came through with 25 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists before a stunned crowd at the Nouhad Nawfal Sports Complex in Beirut.

The Cedars went to star player Wael Arakji for a possible game-tying three pointer, but his shot fell short at the buzzer.

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The loss was the first for the Cedars at home in a World Cup Qualifiers since 2019, according to FIBA, while the win was the first for the Qataris against the same team in 10 years.

Despite already qualified to the World Cup as host of the 2027 meet, Qatar isn’t taking things easy and is now tied with Lebanon at second place in Group D with an even 1-1 card.

The Qataris came close to beating Lebanon at home, 75-74, in their first meeting in the window last week.

This time, there was no denying them.

Saudi Arabia kept the top spot in the group with a 2-0 slate following another rout of winless India (0-2), 81-57.

In other results, South Korea kept China winless in Group B after a 90-76 win at home for a share of the lead with Japan at 2-0.

The Akatsuki drubbed Chinese Taipei, 80-73, sending the home team at the bottom of the group together with the Chinese, both at 0-2.

In Group C, both Iran and Jordan held sway with their second straight victories against Iraq and Syria, respectively, and remain at no.1.

Team Melli whipped the Iraqis, 86-71, while Jordan routed the Syrians, 100-48.

And finally, Australia edged New Zealand in Wellington, 79-77, to accompany Gilas Pilipinas on top of Group A.

2025-12-02T06:15:06Z