Japan's Basketball Team Beats Saudi Arabia in World Cup Qualifier
Listen to the story
Japan's national basketball team achieved a strong victory over Saudi Arabia on August 27, 2026, winning 106-78.
The game was part of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, matches that decide which teams reach the main tournament.
Rui Hachimura, who plays in the NBA, one of the world's top basketball leagues, was the standout performer.
He scored 29 points, showing why he is considered a star at the highest level of basketball.
After the win, a photo from the team drew attention online for a surprising reason.
Player Yuki Kawamura, known for his fast cut-in plays, appeared in the picture wearing a headband.
Some fans had expected him to be absent from the game, which made his appearance in the photo unexpected.
People online reacted with joy, writing comments like 'He's here!' when they saw him.
Many also praised his expression in the photo, saying he looked extremely happy.
The victory adds to Japan's progress in the qualifying stage, and Hachimura's performance highlighted the team's strength heading into future matches.
Vocabulary10 words
- qualifiers
- games that decide who can join a big competition
- NBA
- the top basketball league in the United States
- cut-in
- a fast basketball move where a player quickly moves toward the basket
- headband
- a cloth band worn around the head
- standout performer
- a player who plays much better than others
- victory
- a win in a game or competition
- absent
- not present; not there
- expression
- the look on someone's face
- tournament
- a big sports competition with many games
- highlight
- to show something clearly as important
Quiz
Answer key
1. 106-78 2. Because a player some fans thought was absent appeared happy in it 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan's national basketball team achieved a strong _____ over Saudi Arabia on August 27, 2026, winning 106-78.
The game was part of the FIBA World Cup Asian _____, matches that decide which teams reach the main tournament.
Rui Hachimura, who plays in the _____, was the standout performer.
He scored 29 points, showing why he is considered a _____ at the highest level of basketball.
Player Yuki Kawamura, known for his fast _____ plays, appeared in the picture wearing a headband.
Some fans had expected him to be _____ from the game, which made his appearance in the photo unexpected.
People online reacted with joy, writing comments like 'He's here!' when they saw _____.
Many also praised his _____ in the photo, saying he looked extremely happy.
The victory adds to Japan's progress in the _____ stage.