Tokyo, August 31 (QNA) - The Qatar men's national basketball team suffered a 123-70 defeat against Japan in Tokyo on Monday during the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

The quarter-by-quarter breakdown favored the hosts: 29-11, 24-23, 40-11, and 30-25.

With the victory, Japan brought its points total to 14 in Group F, while Qatar sits at 12 points. Group F also features China, Lebanon, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia, with fierce competition underway for advancement to the next stage.

Qatar is participating in the qualifiers as the host nation for the 2027 World Cup, securing an automatic berth in the tournament. While its match outcomes count in the standings, Qatar is excluded from the final group ranking. Under the tournament format, the top three teams from each group advance alongside the best fourth-place finisher. Qatar's participation aims to build competitiveness and gain valuable experience against the continent's top squads as part of its preparations for the global showcase.

Qatar continues its second-round campaign by hosting South Korea in Doha on November 26, followed by a rematch against Japan in Doha on November 29. (QNA)