Four-Peat Bid Underway as Australia Roll Past Bahrain

Arab and Gulf champions turn focus to Lebanon after tough start in Mongolia

Bahrain’s youth men’s basketball national team endured a tough opening to their FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025 campaign yesterday morning, losing 141-47 to powerhouse Australia at the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Complex in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

The result marked the beginning of Group A play, where the nationals, back-to-back Arab and Gulf champions, are targeting progression to the knockout stages and a potential spot at next year’s FIBA U17 World Cup in Türkiye.

Crocs in Command

Australia, four-time defending champions and among the continent’s heavyweights, wasted no time in asserting control. They erupted for 41 points in the first quarter to Bahrain’s 11, before extending their lead to 71-26 at halftime. The Crocs piled on another 39 points in the third and closed strong with 31 in the final period, cruising to a 141-47 victory. Eight Australians finished in double figures, led by Luke Roland Paul with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists, and 6 steals in a near triple-double performance.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Bahrain found bright spots. Guard Yousif Yaqoob Meshaei finished with a team-high 13 points, while Somto Patrick Onoduenyi added 11 points and 7 rebounds. Hussain Fuad chipped in with 9 points off the bench.

Group A Challenge

Rassem Marzooqi’s men now shift their focus quickly to today’s clash with Lebanon at 9am (Bahrain time), before rounding off the group stage against India on Monday. In yesterday’s other Group A game, Lebanon eased past India 95-73.

Only the group winners advance directly to the quarter-finals, while the second- and third-placed teams will battle in play-offs for the remaining spots in the last eight.

Road to Istanbul

The FIBA U16 Asia Cup, now in its eighth edition, doubles as the qualifier for the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup in Türkiye. The top four teams in Mongolia will book their ticket to Istanbul.

Bahrain are making their sixth appearance, and their third consecutive showing, in the competition. Their best finish remains eighth place in 2013 in Tehran.