Kuwait qualifies for second Asian Cup qualifying window despite loss to Bahrain

Players fighting for the rebound during Kuwait-Bahrain match.

DUBAI, Sept 1: Kuwait’s basketball team booked its place in the second window of the qualifiers, scheduled for November, after being drawn in Group E alongside Bahrain, the UAE, Palestine, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka. The top four teams in the group will advance to the third qualifying window.

Kuwait ended its campaign in the first Asian Cup qualifying window with a 67-95 defeat to Bahrain at Shabab Al Ahli Club Hall in Dubai. In the other match, Oman defeated Nepal 76-62.

Bahrain finished at the top of the standings with eight points from four wins, followed by the UAE on seven points. Kuwait collected six points, while Oman and Nepal finished with five and four points, respectively.

Despite the defeat, Kuwait coach Vassilios Bratsiakos expressed pride in his players and praised their efforts throughout the competition.

“I congratulate my players for what they delivered today and for the hard work they put in throughout the competition,” Bratsiakos said at the post-match press conference.

“We dealt with injuries and the absence of key players, but despite those difficulties, we produced strong performances and managed to qualify for the next window of the qualifiers,” he added.

Kuwait and Bahrain started the game strongly, with little separating the two sides in the opening period. Bahrain, however, gradually took control from the second quarter onward, tightening its grip on the game and securing a convincing 95-67 victory for its fourth straight win of the campaign.

By Khaled Al-Enezi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff