China's women basketball team dazzled the crowd on Wednesday as they cruised past New Zealand 85-51 at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup, securing a spot in the semifinals with a perfect 3-0 record in Group A. 🏀
The match got off to a blazing start, with seven unanswered points setting the tone early. In a standout moment, 18-year-old Zhang Ziyu made her debut by scoring a layup just eight seconds after entering the game, sparking an impressive 14-2 run that helped China build a strong lead.
Coach Gong Luming explained, "As our team was just formed three months ago, we aimed to try different lineups through these group games. We feel that it has taken an initial shape now, but still needs fine-tuning on some details." His optimism reflects the team’s commitment to building better chemistry and creativity in their play.
Every player contributed as all 12 members found the scoreboard, demonstrating their depth and balanced offense. With New Zealand unable to mount a serious comeback, China's spirited performance secured an easy win.
Looking ahead, China is set to face either Japan or New Zealand in the semifinals, with their next match scheduled for Friday. In other group news, South Korea cruised past Indonesia 95-62, adding even more excitement to this dynamic tournament. 🚀
Reference(s):
China ease past New Zealand to reach FIBA Women's Asia Cup semifinals
cgtn.com
