Kuwait national team loses to UAE in FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers

Dubai, August 27 (KUNA) -- The Kuwaiti senior men’s national basketball team lost today, Thursday, to their UAE counterparts 72-75 in their second match in Group A of the preliminary qualifiers for the 2029 FIBA Asia Cup, held at the Al Ahli Youth Club arena in Dubai. Kuwait led 20-17 after the first quarter, but the UAE team dominated the second quarter 26-16, taking a 43-36 lead at halftime. The UAE continued their momentum, winning the third quarter 17-15, and although Kuwait fought back in the final quarter, outscoring the UAE 19-17, it was not enough to change the outcome, and the match ended with a 75-72 victory for the UAE. Kuwait had begun their qualifying campaign on Wednesday with an 88-63 win over Oman in Group A, which also includes Bahrain, Oman, and Nepal. The top three teams in the group advance to the second round of the preliminary qualifiers. (End) S.K.M./R.J.