DOHA (Qatar) - China made a statement to open their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers Second Round campaign, overpowering Qatar 83-57 at Al Janoub Arena. Yang Hansen led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Hu Jinqiu added 10 points and eight boards as China’s interior duo towered over the competition. Liao Sanning chipped in 11 points and four assists, while Qatar were led by Mike Lewis II’s 14 points and Moustafa Fouda’s 11 points and five assists.
Twin towers take over
The game belonged to China’s twin-tower combination. Yang and Hu repeatedly punished Qatar inside, combining for 25 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks on 12-of-17 field goal shooting. They gave China a reliable offensive foundation and helped create space for the perimeter, where the visitors knocked down 12 three-pointers on 36.4 percent shooting, which was just one shy of their single-game high in these Qualifiers.
Yang’s 15 points were also his second-highest scoring output for the senior Chinese national team, behind the 16 he scored against Guam in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers.
The big men were already making their presence felt early, with China establishing a 23-13 lead after the opening quarter. The advantage grew to 47-36 by halftime before China pulled further away in the second half.
If Yang and Hu can continue producing at this level, China will have a formidable foundation heading into their next challenge against Lebanon.
Ball security stands out
China also showed impressive efficiency in how they handled the basketball. Entering the game, China averaged just 11.2 turnovers per game in the Qualifiers. They finished with only six against Qatar, while also dishing out 22 assists. That is nearly a four-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio -- a particularly sharp display against a Qatar team that entered the game averaging only 10.7 turnovers per contest.
The backcourt trio of Hu Mingxuan, Zhao Jiwei and Liao Sanning combined for 11 assists and just one turnover, helping China consistently generate quality looks without giving Qatar easy opportunities in transition.
Overall, the two teams combined for just 15 turnovers, underlining how controlled the game was despite China eventually pulling away.
First taste of the World Cup venue
The result was only part of the story at Al Janoub Stadium. The state-of-the-art venue, one of the arenas slated to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, was transformed from a football stadium into a basketball setting for this Second Round opener. It provided an early glimpse of what the global showcase could look and feel like in Qatar one year from now.
The venue was inaugurated in 2019 and was designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid, with its distinctive form inspired by traditional dhow boats. Now, it has added another chapter to its sporting history by welcoming basketball on a stage that will only grow in significance as the FIBA Basketball World Cup approaches.
"It's a very special experience. I like the vibe in this gym, and it's a great arena," said China team captain Zhao Jiwei. "It's a nice memory for us, especially winning the game here."
And with a jam-packed crowd of 7365 on hand, the atmosphere provided an important preview of the fan experience Qatar hopes to deliver when the world's best arrive in 2027.
FIBA