Chinese Taipei's historic win overshadows massive victories by Japan, Australia

BENGALURU (India) - Chinese Taipei’s historic win highlights the action in the second day of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asian Championship 2022 Division A which included big wins from Japan and Australia.

The day started with two massive wins from Japan and Australia, keeping the two teams undefeated.

Japan handily beat Indonesia, 107-35, with six players scoring in double-digits led by 17 points from Misaki Sasaka. Akatsuki Japan had 30 assists in total to only 7 turnovers to wrap up a well-rounded win against their opponents.

Meanwhile, the Gems exerted their dominance over neighbors New Zealand with a resounding 111-44 victory.

Australia led from start to finish once again, and it was also another game where Isobel Borlase led the team in scoring - this time with 16 points. Isla Juffermans recorded her first double-double of the competition with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The marquee matchup of the day was between China and Chinese Taipei - though it didn’t seem that way going into the game. Chinese Taipei had played against China 26 times at the youth level in women’s basketball, coming away with only one win which was 20 years ago.

When the final buzzer sounded, however, it was Chinese Taipei who were celebrating the victory, one they had not tasted in such a long time, 74-61.

 

Chang Yu Lan was the star for the victors in this game with an all-around game of 18 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Two players recorded double-doubles for the upset-determined Chinese Taipei squad, Hsiao Yu Wen (13 points, 14 rebounds) and Yu Chin Hua (15 points and 11 rebounds).

China cooled off after a hot start and could not rebound form their sluggish form in the middle of the game, despite a 21-point, 10-rebound performance from Li Wenxia.

The last game of the day lacked the drama and the big deficit of the prior contests, but was nonetheless an important victory for Korea over India, 69-47.

Coach Bang Ji Yun was able to rotate her players ahead of an important clash against Australia. Korea had three players scoring in double-digits led by Ko Seoyeon who had 14 points.

With the final day left in the Group Phase of the U18 Women’s Asian Championship 2022 Division A coming up, the stakes are clear for the next stage.

In Group A:

Australia and Korea will be playing for the outright ticket to the Semi-Finals at 13:30 (GMT +5.5).

Meanwhile, New Zealand will be playing against hosts India for a chance to advance to the Qualification to Semi-Finals stage at 18:00 (GMT +5.5).

Group A

4/6 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Australia	2	2	0	100		227	93	134	113.5	46.5	4
2	Korea	2	2	0	100		150	111	39	75	55.5	4
3	New Zealand	2	0	2	0		108	192	-84	54	96	2
4	India	2	0	2	0		96	185	-89	48	92.5	2

In Group B:

Chinese Taipei will play against Indonesia at 11:15 (GMT +5.5) where a win could clinch them second place at the very least in the group.

Japan and China will face in a rematch of the five previous U18 Women’s Asian Championship Finals at 15:45 (GMT +5.5).

Group B

4/6 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Japan	2	2	0	100		197	112	85	98.5	56	4
2	Chinese Taipei	2	1	1	50.0		151	151	0	75.5	75.5	3
3	China	2	1	1	50.0		152	104	48	76	52	3
4	Indonesia	2	0	2	0		65	198	-133	32.5	99	2

FIBA