SYDNEY: Large centre Han Xu sank 26 issues as China surprised five-time protecting champions Japan 73-71 Sunday to win their first ladies’s Asia Cup basketball identify in additional than a decade. New York Liberty’s Han additionally made 10 rebounds and two assists at Sydney Olympic Park, whilst fellow famous person Li Meng poured in 17 issues handy international quantity two China its twelfth crown and primary since 2011. The victory snapped Japan’s dominance within the match relationship again to Bangkok in 2013 and ended the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist’s dream of creating it six in a row.
No country instead of Japan, China or South Africa has gained the Asia Cup since its inception in 1965. Hosts Australia took bronze for the 3rd consecutive match after crushing New Zealand 81-59. “It feels unreal. We didn’t be expecting we may well be champions ahead of the match began,” stated China trainer Zheng Wei. “At our coaching camp ahead of the match we had some issues like accidents and no longer each participant becoming a member of us at first of the camp. However our crew has were given higher and higher. “I’m very proud them.”
Weina Jin scored an early bucket for China however Japan temporarily discovered their stride in an intense first quarter that ended level-pegging at 17-17. With match MVP Han, who towers 6 ft 10 inches (2.08 meters), main the best way, China went on a 7-0 run in the second one stanza to tug transparent, however once more a constant Japan got here roaring again.
With lightning-fast transition and competitive protection, Japan went 18-2 to succeed in half-time 35-26 in entrance. China lifted the pace within the 3rd stanza and edged some extent transparent, however Japan weathered the hurricane to take a 51-48 lead into the house stretch. However in a nail-biting end, the Chinese language held their nerve to triumph in a sport that went to the twine. “We attempted onerous, the entire avid gamers did neatly,” stated Japan trainer Toru Onzuka. “We will be able to be informed from this (Chinese language) crew, they’re a super crew.” All 4 semi-finalists within the eight-team festival secured a spot on the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifying match.- AFP