Doha, July 29 (QNA) - Qatar's national basketball team will face their Japanese counterpart on Wednesday, at Lusail Sports Hall, in their second match of the 2025 International Friendly Tournament.

The event is organized by the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF) ahead of the 31st FIBA Asia Cup scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from Aug. 5 to 17.

The game serves as a crucial test for the Qatari team, as Japan stands as one of Asia's toughest competitors, known for its fast-paced and technically skilled style of play.

Qatar's squad is eager to make the cut by demonstrating their readiness to face such a formidable opponent after it had opened their campaign with an important victory over Saudi Arabia, winning 82–78 in a match marked by intense competition and impressive performances from the players.

The score was tied at 24–24 throughout the first quarter, before Qatar gradually asserted their dominance in the subsequent periods to secure the win by a four-point margin. Qatar now leads the standings with two points, while Saudi Arabia holds one.

Iraq will meet Saudi Arabia, with both sides striving to deliver incredible performances and make thorough preparations for the upcoming major tournaments.

The friendly tournament features four Asian national teams, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Iraq, and is contested in a single round-robin format, with each team vying for the best possible results as part of their build-up to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup, which will feature 16 competing nations.

The draw for the 2025 FIBA placed Qatar in Group A alongside Australia, South Korea, and Lebanon while Group B features Guam, Japan, Syria, and Iran.

Group C includes China, Jordan, India, and Saudi Arabia and Group D comprises Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, Iraq, and the Philippines. (QNA)