China Storms To Second FIBA World Cup Qualifying Victory Over Japan
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 29, 2021 | 02:51 PM
China routed Japan 106-73 to clinch its second victory in as many days over its FIBA World Cup qualifying Group B rivals here on Sunday
SENDAI,JAPAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Nov, 2021 ) :China routed Japan 106-73 to clinch its second victory in as many days over its FIBA World Cup qualifying Group B rivals here on Sunday.
Five of China's 11 players scored in double figures. Point guard Zhao Rui notched a game-high 27 points, including six three-pointers. Zhang Zhenlin added 17 and Guo Ailun scored 14.
Zhou Qi, the top scorer in China's 79-63 victory on Saturday, was the only Chinese player to stay on the bench for the whole 40 minutes. The 2.16-meter center, who plays for South East Melbourne Phoenix in Australia's NBL, limped off the court after sustaining a right ankle injury.
"The players showed great fighting spirit during the match," said China head coach Du Feng. "I warned them after the first win yesterday that they need to make 200 percent effort to win this match." Du, who took over as head coach two years ago, said that he left Zhou on the bench to avoid any risk.
"Zhou Qi flew all the way from Australia to play for the national team. I feel very thankful for his efforts.
" China raced into an 8-0 lead soon after the start of the match and the Japanese side, managed by Japan's former women's national team coach Tom Hovasse, found it difficult to break the watertight Chinese defense, scoring only 10 points in the first quarter.
China made 14 three-pointers during the match and with two minutes left, Guo made a lay-up to extend his side's advantage to 101-65, marking a rare achievement for China to score over 100 points in a game.
"There are only a few times in many years that China has scored over 100," Du said.
As the co-host of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Japan has automatically qualified for the tournament. Three of Japan's key players, including Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura, were not called up to play the two matches.
"I am aware that some of Japan's first-choice players did not play. Could we still beat Japan by such a big margin if they were here? I don't know. But I look forward to playing the full-strength Japanese team in the future," Du noted.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Journalists call for global action to end Gaza’s humanitarian crisis
CM for generating opportunities to bring direct int'l investment
Pakistan retains position in FTSE secondary emerging market
High Commissioner of Malaysia hosts Iftar dinner reception
NEPRA announces 2nd quarterly adjustment in power bills with Rs 1.68 cut per uni ..
Hoopo Inc. Collaborates with SAU to Install Solar-Powered RO Plant
04 killed in Spain as Storm Nelson looms
Russian military jet crashes into sea off Crimea: Governor
Rain-windstorm/thunderstorm likely at various parts of country
Implementation of Sindh Agriculture Workers Act-2019 demanded
Pandemic accord talks heading for extra time
Khawaja reiterates PM commitment to judiciary
More Stories From Sports
-
Tennis: ATP-WTA Miami Open results: collated
2 hours ago -
Pak, NZ T20I series online ticket booking from tomorrow
3 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
3 hours ago -
Nottingham Forest's double European Cup winner Lloyd dies
4 hours ago -
Two more matches decided in Inter College Ramadan T-20 Cup
3 hours ago -
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
13 hours ago
-
Sinner and Medvedev book Miami Open semi-final clash
13 hours ago -
Collins and Alexandrova fight into Miami semi-finals
16 hours ago -
Van Aert breaks collarbone, ribs in Flanders fall
1 day ago -
Van Aert in high-speed crash in Around Flanders race
1 day ago -
PCB announces inter-club One-Day tournament
1 day ago -
ICC delegation calls on PCB Chairman
1 day ago