China ease past Australia to reach FIBA Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals
- China, who were stunned by Serbia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this summer, are now considered favourites to go on and win the tournament
China notched a third straight victory in the group stage of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan on Wednesday as they eased into the semi-finals of the tournament.
Favourites to take the title in the Middle East, China had already thrashed Philippines and Taiwan in their group campaign, but were expected to face a decidedly trickier test against the Opals, as the Australian national team are known.
In the event, the well-fancied Chinese outfit were far too strong for their overmatched opponents, despite Australia being Asia’s top-ranked side.
While it was a closely-fought game for the most of the first half, China – led by the irrepressible Huang Sijing – stormed clear in the second half and were good value for their 82-64 victory.
Huang, who grabbed 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists, was ably supported by towering centre Han Xu who chipped in with 16 points and 11 rebounds.