More new venues set to host games during the third Asian Qualifiers window

AUCKLAND (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - New Zealand, China, Japan and Qatar will all have new venues to host their games in the third window of the Asian Qualifiers.

New Zealand will host Hong Kong and China on 28 June and 1 July respectively for tin the third window. The first game against Hong Kong will be played at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua. Three days later the Kiwis host the mighty Chinese in the Spark Arena.

The Spark Arena can hold a 12,000-strong capacity crowd and it's where the New Zealand Breakers play their home games. 

China, for their part, will also have a new venue host one of their third window fixtures. On 28 June, Team Dragon will play age old rivals Korea at the Gymnasium of Huarun located within the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, one of the main competition sites for the Summer Universiade 2011. The Gymnasium can seat up to 13,000 spectators and hosts concerts on a regular basis.

As for Japan, the Akatsuki Five will play at the Chiba Port Arena against unbeaten Australia on 29 June. With a seating capacity of more than 7,500 people, this is Japan's biggest home arena to be showcased at the Asian Qualifiers so far. Japan are entering the third window with no win to show for, but they are set on pulling out all the stops as they try to upend the Boomers in their final home stand of the first round.

Over in Doha, Qatar are set to play hosts to powerhouse Iran in a crucial Group D match at the Al-Gharafa Sports Club Multi-Purpose Hall on 29 June. As the arena's name suggests, this venue is the home court of the Al Gharafa Doha club that plays in the Qatar Basketball League. Al Annabi return to the same venue on 2 July to also host Iraq in another important encounter. With just one win in four games, Qatar need at least another victory in the third window to strengthen their bid for a second round berth.

FIBA