India vs Japan full highlights & replay, FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026: India go down 56-91 in opening match
(Courtesy :Â FIBA)
India are hosting the tournament for the first time since 2004.
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Hosts India face Japan in their opening match of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 on August 14 (Friday). India, who are hosting the tournament for only the second time, are placed in Group D alongside Japan, Korea and Kazakhstan.
Korea defeated Kazakhstan 95-68 in the opening match of Group D earlier in the day.
A total of 16 teams are participating in the biennial tournament, with group leaders advancing to the quarter-finals at the end of the group phase.
Sixteen teams divided into groups of 4 are set to see action, beginning with the busy Group Phase that will be played for a total of 6 days from August 13-18 featuring 4 games a day.
The top teams in each group by the end of the preliminaries will book a direct ticket to the Quarter-Finals. Teams finishing 2nd and 3rd in their pools, meanwhile, will play in the Qualification to Quarter-Finals.
The play-in to the Final Phase’s opening round is scheduled on August 20. The Quarter-Finals will then be played the following day, the winners of which will advance to the Semi-Finals set on August 22.
Classification Rounds 5-8 will also be held for this year’s U18 meet, beginning on August 22 as well – just before the Semi-Finals. Losing teams in the Quarter-Finals will make up the cast in a bid to salvage pride.
The one-game Final is set on August 23, which will be preceded by the Classification 5-6, Classification 7-8, and the Third-Place Games as the tournament assures to be action-packed all the way to the end.
Of course, the team that wins it all by tournament’s end will be crowned U18 Asia Cup champions, and will be spearheading the ensemble that will carry the fight for Asia in one of youth basketball’s grandest stages.
The 4 teams advancing to the Semi-Finals will guarantee their spots to the prestigious FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027, which is set to be held in the city of Pardubice, Czechia from June 26 to July 4, 2027.
Where and when will India vs Japan match at FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 take place?
The match will be played at the Veer Savarkar Stadium in Ahmedabad on August 14 (Friday). It is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm IST.
Which group are India placed in at FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026?
India are in Group D alongside Japan, South Korea and Kazakhstan.
What is at stake at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026?Ta
Teams that reach the semi-finals will earn direct entry to next year’s FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup.
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