by Sportswriters Su Bin, Cao Yibo
BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) — Fresh from main China to their first FIBA Women’s Basketball Asia Cup in 12 years, coach Zheng Wei stays level-headed about her aspect’s triumph within the continental competitors.
“Mentality played a key role in our winning performance this time,” she advised Xinhua in an unique interview.
China narrowly beat archrivals Japan, winners of the previous 5 editions of the Asia Cup, 73-71 on July 2. This victory marked their first trophy within the event since 2011, following their runner-up end finally 12 months’s FIBA Women’s World Cup, which additionally came about in Sydney, Australia.
“After what we experienced at the World Cup, we have become more tenacious. Although we encountered some difficulties during our preparation for and participation in the Asia Cup, we are getting more mature after overcoming these difficulties,” mentioned Zheng.
UNEXPECTED TITLE THROUGH ADVERSITIES
“I had never expected to win the title,” admitted Zheng, referring to a number of gamers sustaining accidents or enjoying abroad.
“When we assembled for our Asia Cup preparation, we lacked eight players compared to what we had at the World Cup,” Zheng recalled.
As the Asia Cup serves as a pathway to incomes a spot within the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifying event, China had set an preliminary objective of securing a berth within the Olympic qualifiers by a top-four end on the Asia Cup, earlier than striving for a greater outcome.
“Many things were uncertain at that time, as we didn’t have all players available in the squad throughout our preparation. After we landed in Sydney, we finally had our complete Asia Cup roster,” mentioned Zheng, including that the title was throughout the group’s sight, however they weren’t sure about successful it in any respect.
Another purpose why China felt not sure about their Asia Cup marketing campaign is that that they had misplaced consecutive matches in Europe earlier than heading to the competitors. During that course of, China confronted Belgium, Spain, and France, all semifinalists at this 12 months’s FIBA Women’s EuroBasket.
“Always losing definitely hurts your confidence and mentality as you doubt whether you can overcome this. But at the same time, our reserve players gained experience against those strong sides,” Zheng commented.
“After we arrived in Sydney, we didn’t have enough time to reflect on our losses as the Asia Cup was around the corner,” she added.
A scarcity of coaching collectively was mirrored in China’s group matches, as they did not show their dominance from the get-go and needed to come by extra time to dispatch South Korea to complete as group winners.
“We were not in favorable form in the group stage and tried to build our chemistry along the way. But these three group matches were quite important to us, as we could discover our problems and try to sort them out,” Zheng mentioned.
Having achieved their minimal objective of reaching the semifinals of the Asia Cup and incomes a ticket to the Olympic qualifying event, China progressively improved their type because the competitors progressed, overcoming hosts Australia within the semifinal and Japan within the title showdown.
China had misplaced to Australia in a pre-tournament warmup match. “Before the semifinal, we regrouped our mentality, hoping to showcase our fighting spirit and focus on the process. After winning the match, I felt that our confidence was back,” defined Zheng.
Even when China geared as much as cross the ultimate hurdle, they have been affected by accidents, as captain Yang Liwei suffered a leg harm late within the match towards Australia.
“As we had not won the Asia Cup for 12 years, I think those veterans really wanted to win it, and they didn’t want to miss the chance again this time. Despite Yang’s absence, everyone else stepped up and we managed to restrain opponents through our defense and display our characteristics as well. It was quite tough,” mentioned Zheng.
FULL SCORE FOR TEAM MENTALITY
“As for mentality, I can give a full score for my team. Our running-in on tactics and technique was not at the best, but everyone gave it their all,” Zheng mentioned.
“We felt a bit down when losing many matches, but if you didn’t experience this, you might always regard yourself as the runners-up of the World Cup.
“Every day we encountered new issues, and we tried to unravel them,” she added.
Zheng added that she caught a glimpse of the chance of winning the final after the first quarter.
“As we had failed to say the Asia Cup for 12 years, our gamers have been impatient within the first half. During halftime, I advised them to maintain cool-headed and stick with their type. From the third quarter, we have been extra affected person and relied on teamwork. The recreation was then principally in our management,” Zheng recalled.
As for Zheng, commitment, teamwork, fighting spirit, and a never-say-die spirit were what China relied on en route to reaching their goals.
“Those enjoying abroad or struggling accidents got here again to the nationwide group with none hesitation. Starting the sport or sitting on the bench, offense or protection, they at all times caught to the group’s want,” she said.
STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH
In addition to claiming the title, China also tested their young players at the Asia Cup. For Zheng, “the objective has been reached.”
“When we skilled in Europe, as we weren’t certain concerning the situations of our gamers enjoying abroad or struggling accidents, we set a objective of testing reserve gamers, aiming to enhance their degree and serving to them achieve expertise. During the Asia Cup, everybody on the courtroom confirmed their worth,” Zheng noted.
Despite China’s achievements of reaching the final at the World Cup and lifting the Asia Cup in these two years, Zheng still sees much room for her side’s improvement.
“We want to enhance on many elements. We will sum up our marketing campaign this time and search for issues, and attempt to remedy them within the upcoming coaching,” she said.
The team plans to rest for around ten days before gathering on July 16 for their preparations for the Hangzhou Asian Games, which will be held from September 23 to October 8.
“As Han Xu and Li Meng proceed their WNBA duties, and a few gamers want remedy and rehabilitation, we have to consider the coaching of our younger gamers out there on the present stage,” Zheng commented.
“Now we’re the Asian champions, however I’ve to say that Asian competitions are robust, and we’re not so certain of successful the title as previously. Therefore, we must always deal with our each day coaching and battle for the perfect outcome on the Asian Games.
“We will move forward step by step, and fulfill our mission one at a time. The Asian Games is our top priority now, then the Olympic qualification, and finally the Paris Olympics,” Zheng concluded.