Hungary, Feb 10 (News On Japan) –
In the second sport of the Olympic World Qualifying Tournament for ladies’s basketball, Japan confronted a troublesome match towards Hungary and was defeated with a rating of 75 to 81, suspending their likelihood to safe a spot within the Olympics to the ultimate sport towards Canada.
The qualifying event, held in Hungary, pits 4 groups towards one another in a round-robin format, with the highest three groups incomes a spot within the Paris Olympics. Japan, ranked ninth on the planet and coming off a convincing win towards Spain within the opening sport, wanted a victory on the ninth of their second match towards the Nineteenth-ranked residence staff Hungary to clinch their third consecutive Olympic look.
The sport began with Japan taking the lead within the first quarter, leveraging tight protection towards their taller opponents and gaining a 9-point benefit at 22 to 13, thanks to 2 three-point pictures by Maki Takada. In the second quarter, captain Saki Hayashi continued the momentum with consecutive three-pointers, extending the result in 13 factors at one stage. However, Japan struggled to safe rebounds towards Hungary’s top, and the rating was tied at 32 by halftime.
Entering the third quarter, Japan discovered it tough to execute their offense towards Hungary’s protection, unable to make their signature three-point pictures and permitting Hungary to take the lead as a consequence of offensive errors. Trailing by 5 factors within the fourth quarter, Japan managed to tie the rating a number of occasions with three-pointers from Hayashi and consecutive factors from Mai Yamamoto, however finally could not cease Hungary’s pictures at important moments, ending the sport 75 to 81.
As a end result, all 4 groups in Japan’s qualifying group stand with a 1-1 file, leaving Japan’s Olympic qualification to be determined within the last sport towards the world’s Fifth-ranked Canada on the eleventh. A win towards Canada would safe Japan’s third consecutive Olympic look, whereas a loss would depart their destiny depending on the outcomes of the matches between Spain and Hungary.
Captain Saki Hayashi analyzed the defeat, stating, “We couldn’t make our outside shots and couldn’t create the atmosphere to play the game we wanted. Not being able to play fast basketball was our downfall.” Looking forward to the sport towards Canada, she expressed willpower, “We need to communicate as a team, play a good game, and win to bring home the Olympic ticket.”
Mai Yamamoto, who scored a team-high 15 factors and eight within the fourth quarter alone, mirrored on her efficiency saying, “I had the feeling that I didn’t want to lose, so I decided to take the initiative and shoot when I was open.” With Olympic qualification at stake within the sport towards Canada, she regarded ahead, saying, “We want to play Japanese basketball and definitely make it to the Olympics.”
Head Coach Toru Ontsuka of the Japan ladies’s basketball staff remarked, “The players did their best, but I regret not being able to lead them to victory. I believe our defeat was due to not being able to fully execute what we had prepared, even though we were studied by our opponents.” Regarding the upcoming sport towards Canada, he stated, “We won’t be discouraged; we’ll regroup and fight as one team.”
Source: NHK