BEIRUT (Lebanon) - We, or at least the China national team, have been waiting for almost an entire year for this: a rematch with Japan.
On February 25, 2024, China lost to their East Asian counterparts in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. They will face each other again on February 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM (GMT +8) at the Shenzhen Sports Center in Shenzhen, China. Get your popcorn ready.
It was their first defeat in a major FIBA Asia competition to Japan in nearly nine decades
What's the big deal?
Again, these two teams just played against each other last year - and it was a good one. Japan rallied back from an early double-digit deficit and survived a rally that cut their own late double-digit lead to only three points at the final buzzer in front a sold-out crowd at home. The result ended up being AKATSUKI JAPAN's first win over China in a major FIBA Asia competition in nearly nine decades.
That should already be enough to spice up this upcoming clash, but then there's also the looming FIBA Asia Cup later this year as well. Japan have already claimed their spot in the tournament to be set in Saudi Arabia - currently tying themselves up as the all-time leader in appearances with Korea (who have not clinched qualification for the 2025 edition yet). China however, have not locked in a seat yet.
Most appearances by a team in FIBA Asia Cup (Min. 20 appearances)*
* As of end of Window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers with teams clinching a spot at Asia Cup 2025 ** Qualified for FIBA Asia Cup 2025
Winning here against Japan will put them in a much, much better position to punch in their ticket.
And here are three reasons why China might be able to exact their revenge against Japan in this window.
Three key reasons why China can do it
1. Fired up
There's more than enough motivation to give China an extra push in this final stretch of the Qualifiers.
Exacting revenge. Inching closer to Asia Cup qualification. Playing at home in front of what should be (and has always been) a great crowd in Shenzhen.
Did we mention exacting revenge yet?
Japan will also want to keep their undefeated record intact and keep their good momentum going after a fun summer in Paris, but they've already qualified for the Asia Cup since last window. China might have a little bit more of an edge there in this rematch - and sometimes, that's all it takes to get a win.
2. Feeling fresh
China's set up for this clash is expected to be different. Significantly different, actually.
For starters, Sasa Djordjevic is no longer calling the shots in the rematch. Instead, it will be Guo Shiqiang who had already led China to an undefeated window last November. Fans might see some changes in the personnel on the court for China as well according to the training camp roster, to go with a talent pool that is already quite young.
Whether it's Yang Hansen, Li Hongquan, Zeng Fanbo, or Yu Jiahao, there's could be a lot of exciting young talents in this last window suiting up for China. Potentially mixing these fresh faces with vets like Zhou Qi, Zhao Rui, and Hu Jinqiu could be the right mix to hand Japan their first loss.
3. Shenzhen-sanity
Yeah, playing at home is always a great boost for any team. That's been emphasized ever since the home-away format was implemented in the Qualifiers since 2018. But for China, playing at home in this game is a bit more special.
Not only will they be playing in front of their passionate crowd, they will be playing in Shenzhen where the fans has continuously and recently proven to show up and show out. They were there to rally their team to the U18 Women's Asia Cup Final. And you already know that they will be there again later this year when the Women's Asia Cup comes to town as China prepares to defend the title. Playing in a city like Shenzhen will surely give China a spark.
Japan might be used to playing in front of large crowds having sold out their past three home games in the Qualifiers, but it might be a different feeling when the majority of the fans in the stands are rooting for you to miss every shot you take.
Can China get their revenge?
China are more than capable of quickly getting back in the win column of this series. They dominated the head-to-head for nearly a century. But Japan won't make it easy.
Come game time, anything can happen. Will China knot things up or will Japan rub salt in the wound?
FIBA