DOHA (FIBA Asia Cup 2017) - Qusai Hatem is gearing up for one of the most exciting summers he's ever had in coaching.

At the helm of a young Qatar team, Hatem is putting his players through their paces and getting them ready for the FIBA Asia Cup.

He knows his side will be the underdog against defending champions China and the Philippines in Group B but he says anything is possible. Hatem is hoping his players will be in a confident frame of mind going into those games since their first clash will be with Iraq, a team he once coached. Qatar may be favored to win in that contest.

"Being in Group B will be tough," Hatem said to FIBA.basketball. "Players for China and the Philippines are yet to be named but no matter who they select, they will prove very challenging on the court.

Qatar lost to China two years ago in Changsha

"Our first game will be against Iraq and if we can win that game and get some winning momentum, I think we can be dangerous.

"Even though we have a young team, we still have enough experience to cause an upset in our group."

Hatem has been busy getting his players ready but has taken time to do interviews, like the one below tweeted by the Qatar Basketball Federation.

Hatem knows his players are not battle-hardened yet he believes the team can have a strong tournament.

"Champions cannot be created overnight," he said. "Our young players are slowly finding their stride and the team is slowly finding cohesion.

"We still have a lot of work ahead of us as the NIKE FIBA World Rankings indicate (Qatar are the ninth highest ranked team in Asia at No. 50 in the world). Nevertheless, youth and enthusiasm with more games will achieve much of the success we have been missing in recent years."

We have a young team that is very skillful and enthusiastic ... and the boys have great fighting spirit.

Hatem

Qatar have reached the Quarter-Finals at the last couple of Asia Cups but not advanced to the last four.

Hatem, meanwhile, is eager to see what newcomers Australia and New Zealand do in the Asia Cup.

"Having Australia and New Zealand in the Cup is very good and important as it will make the competition very strong and encourages other countries to prepare better," Hatem said. "We know Australia and New Zealand are at a good level with their NBA and former Olympians.

"It will be a plus for the FIBA Asia Cup to have them participate. However both Australia and New Zealand will travel without their best players and as a result may find the competition a bit stiff."

Australia will have a team that is primarily made up of its National Basketball League players while New Zealand have decided not to include veterans but promising youngsters.

Hatem says there are aspects to his Qatar team that should give the fans plenty of hope.

"We have a young team that is very skillful and enthusiastic," he said. "We are strong in attack (3-pointers) and the boys have great fighting spirit.

Hatem is also thrilled to be going back to a country where he was once the national team coach. He famously led Lebanon to a victory over France at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 in Japan.

"Sure, Lebanon is in my heart," he said. "Lebanon, through basketball, has given me a lot as a coach and as a player. I started my coaching career in Lebanon and winning over France in the World Cup was one of my greatest highlights.

"I still follow basketball in Lebanon and support the national team when they are not playing Qatar. Lebanon will always be in my heart, just like Qatar is now."

FIBA