Caitlin Dillon
Tonight,
Qatar’s national basketball team are set to play Australia in a FIBA World Cup
qualifying match at Al Gharafa Sports Club . Having won only two of their six
matches in the first leg, Qatar will be looking to make up enough points to secure
their qualification for next year’s World Cup.
As it
stands, with only eight points. Qatar are at the bottom of their group, which
also includes Iran, The Philippines, Kazakhstan and Japan, and are hoping to
take full advantage of the clash on home turf. “All the pressure is on us, but
with a home advantage we are hoping to cause an upset against the Boomers,”
stated Qatar Basketball Federation Secretary General, Ali Al Malki.
Coach Tim
Lewis is keen to highlight the importance of playing such high level teams, “To
play at this level and these games are invaluable for us, I think. My view is
the better the teams we play, then the better that is for us in the long term.”