China's Asia Cup Defeat Sparks Concerns and Calls for Adaptation

The Chinese women's basketball team, a team accustomed to dominating the Asia Cup, suffered an unexpected early exit on their home court. This defeat, brought about by Japan's fast-paced strategy, has raised concerns about the team's future.

China, known for its strong post players and consistent success in the continental competition, was caught off guard by the modern game's emphasis on speed and precision. The team, as defending champions and the higher-ranked favorite, lost a semifinal match to Japan, missing the final of the FIBA Asia Cup for the first time in eight years.

Japan's strategy, which focused on speed and sharp shooting, neutralized China's size advantage. Japan's Kokoro Tanaka had an impressive performance, scoring a significant number of points early in the game. Despite China's comeback in the second quarter, Japan's sharp-shooting trio and captain secured the win.

Leading China in scoring was Yang Shuyu. Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu also contributed significantly. The head coach acknowledged the team's efforts but admitted the need for adaptation to the evolving game.

The coach emphasized the need to adjust the team's strategy to compete with the fast-paced, sharp-shooting style of modern basketball. He stated that the team would focus on learning, adapting, and improving with the goal of success at the 2028 Olympic Games.

Han suggested that young players should seek opportunities to play overseas to gain experience in a more competitive environment. She highlighted the changing nature of the game and the need to adapt to win.

Japan's head coach credited his players' execution of a well-defined game plan for the victory. He praised their ability to adapt and maintain focus throughout the match.