KUWAIT CITY (Kuwait) - For Asia Cup fans, it has been a while since they have seen UAE in Asia Cup action. They haven't played in the main competition since 2011 and missed out on making it to the Qualifiers during the last cycle.

But now, they are back. Or at least they are putting much effort to make the trip back to the Asia Cup in 2025.

"For the Asia Cup in 2025, it would be very exciting for me to go back to it after missing it for so many years... This one would be very special because I would be able to share it with my brothers."

They've done well in their first mission this summer, which is to gain confidence by winning the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC Games) in a nail-biting victory over hosts Kuwait, 76-73. Next in their agenda is the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, the first step of a long hopeful journey back to Asia's premiere basketball competition.

One of the players that can't wait for the chance to opportunity to return to the Asia Cup is Mohamed Albreiki. The 30-year-old forward starred for UAE at the GCC Games with 13.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game and was also a part of the UAE that played in Asia Cup 2011 as well as the GBA Pre-Qualifiers in 2018.

So close

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia might be the big success stories of the Pre-Qualifiers from the previous Asia Cup cycle by being able to eventually qualify for the main event this year in Jakarta, but UAE weren't that far behind.

UAE finished in 3^rd place of the GBA Pre-Qualifiers with a 3-3 record, barely missing out the last qualification spot behind Saudi Arabia who finished with a 4-2 record.

Among those three losses for UAE? Two losses to Bahrain by 4 points and 6 points and another 3-point loss to Saudi Arabia. So close.

That's why they can't wait to get back into the action.

"We're very excited to be playing again in FIBA competition with the national team especially in the Pre-Qualifiers," said Albreiki. "We've been missing in the Asia basketball map for almost 4 years now."

"It feels great to be back with a new team, but to the same goal to compete in Asia and to be able to be on this platform on this big stage to get this exposure and the best part of being a national team player."

Sweet memories

The last time UAE played in the Asia Cup was back in 2011 and it left a lasting impression on those who were on the squad, including Albreiki.

"I'm one of 4 players who played in the Asia Cup in 2011. For me it was a special experience, I was 19 at the time," he said.

"It was overwhelming for me personally. I was against these big teams and these big players from China to Jordan. I remember I played against Zaid Abbas, all these big players and Rashiem Wright as well."

"For the players who I really enjoyed playing and matching up with, as I mentioned before like Zaid Abbas, he left an impression on me. He plays similar position as me and playing up against him was a very tough matchup for me and I learned a lot from him especially that they made an upset and they were able to make it to the Final in that competition.

"It was great experience for me to watch that happen first hand in China."

Even though UAE lost all but one game, they were able to go up against Japan and Philippines along with China and Jordan. More than the experience on the court, it was the off-court experience that impressed Albreiki.

"It was a special experience and one of my best memories in that competition was the fans, the Chinese fans who really loved the sport. It was a pleasure for me to be able to entertain them during the games. After the games, I was able to interact with them and take photos with them so it was a very special experience for me and my team as well."

Brotherly love

Mohammed Albreiki made his Asia Cup debut at the age of 19 and averaged 7.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game with an impressive 18-point, 10-rebound double-double against Syria. Since it was a memorable experience for himself, Mohammed is looking forward for these upcoming games with UAE through the Pre-Qualifiers and ideally at the Asia Cup as he is expecting to share the experience with his brothers.

"For the Asia Cup in 2025, it would be very exciting for me to go back to it after missing it for so many years, as mentioned, back in 2011, that's almost 14 years back," Mohammed said with a laugh. "This one would be very special because I would be able to share it with my brothers, Hamid and Ahmed, and also my brothers on the national team."

27-year-old Ahmed played with Mohamed on national team during the GBA Pre-Qualifiers in 2018, averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile the youngest brother, 21-year-old Hamid, just made his senior national team debut at the GCC Games with a solid line of 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game.

"Playing with my brothers is a big deal for me, to be able to share something I love with a close member of my family, it's a very special thing and I'm very proud to be able to do that," Mohamed said. "Especially in our family, basketball is a very big thing. My father used to be a legend in the sport and we are following his footstep as brothers and trying to represent him and the country together."

"It gives us a lot of things to talk about in the house in the family. It creates a great atmosphere especially in the team and outside of the team, and that helps us motivates us to become better."

"To see my brother play well is an honor for me and its pushed me to play better," he added. "It also motivates us and to have this positivity in the team is a huge plus for us as brothers and the national team."

The soft-spoken and younger Hamid has been just as hyped to not only be part of the senior national team for the first time, but to also share the court with his big brother. Hamid was one of the bright spots for UAE at the FIBA U18 Asian Championship in 2018 and, so far, looks like he has potential to be an impact player at the next level, too.

"It was a tough challenge for me to play in the U18 Asian Championship in 2018, I learned a lot from my mistakes and it helped me to be a better player," said Hamid. "As a senior national team player, it will be different for me to play against pros and the higher level players."

Nonetheless, it will be the opportunity to play with big brother Mohamed that matters the most.

"It's the best feeling to play with my brothers. I wanted to play with them since I was young, it was my dream and now I'm playing with them. I'm excited and happy," added Hamid. "My brother inspired me to be great and be the best on the court and off the court."

Upcoming challenges

The next games for UAE will be in Group A of the First Round of the Asia Cup 2025 Pre-Qualifiers in Doha, Qatar. They are scheduled to play against Oman on June 3 at 7:00 PM (GMT +3) before a clash with the hosts on June 4 at the same time.

At this point, UAE know too well that even the slightest of losses could mean heartbreak which is why every game is important.

Both Mohamed and Hamid agree that Oman are a team that they haven't played against in a while, unlike Qatar who they have played against as recently as in this GCC Games.

"Qatar are a young team with young players, big potential, but we're going to be ready for them," said Hamid.

"We've seen them a few times, past 2-3 years," said Mohamed. "We know their team. They are rebuilding a new team, a very young team, with a new coach, a new system, a new style. They have good promising talents, it will be a tough matchup for us."

Matching up against Qatar, the Asia Cup regulars and hosts of this First Round of the Pre-Qualifiers, could be a good barometer to measure how close UAE are to making a comeback to the Asia Cup.

"This matchup will be tough and we're hoping we will come back with a win."

FIBA