World
Qatar beat Iran in men’s basketball as Asian Games begin in Japan
The continental games will officially open on September 19, but several team competitions will get under way earlier.
Al Jazeera•
The Asian Games have begun in Japan with Qatar beating Iran in men’s basketball, the first action in the continental multisport showpiece that has more participants than the Olympics.
Qatar held off a comeback from Iran to win their Group B encounter 59-35 at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya on Thursday.
It was the first match of a men’s basketball competition that will have medal finals on September 20, the day after the opening ceremony.
Los Angeles 2028 Olympics qualifying spots are up for grabs in several sports at the Asian Games, which are returning to Japan for the first time since 1994.