OQTW – Japan or Canada ready to take last London chance

ANKARA (Olympic Qualifying Tournament Women) – Japanese head coach Tomohide Utsumi is aware his team’s historic victory over Korea on semi-final day will soon be forgotten if they don’t clinch the final spot for London when they engage in a do or die battle with Canada.

Japan crushed their FIBA Asia rivals 79-51 which made history by becoming their greatest winning margin against Korea, surpassing the previous best result at the World Championship way back in 1975.

Looking ahead to the final game of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Coach Utsumi gave an insight into what he feels will be important in helping Japan to book their place.

“We have to play with the same kind of defence as in the game with Korea and the second half against Czech Republic" said the coach.

“This is the most important factor for us – our defence and energy.

“Korea had a lot of experienced players who can always control the game but we used our defence to change this.

“This is the key in the last game of the tournament and our objective is to make sure we advance.”

Japan will also be buoyed by the form of star guard Yuko Oga who is really beginning to light it up after a slow start and, with Yuka Mamiya a real stand-out tournament performer, they will be confident.

Meanwhile Canada head coach Allison McNeill also has reason to be hopeful after a powerful display by her team against Argentina. However she admitted the players will have to be at their very best to make it to the Games.

“Japan is a team that has really caught fire in this tournament” insisted Mc Neill.

“My team is going to really have to match their energy and I guess Japan will be looking to match our intensity also.

“If we play defence the way we did against Argentina then I think we can be successful and make it to London."

She added, "We accept it is going to be a difficult game.”

FIBA