Fiba Basketball World Cup: China on brink of elimination after losing to debutants South Sudan
- Aleksandar Djordjevic’s side look to be heading home early after 89-69 defeat in their second Group B game
- Debutants South Sudan lead from the off with China unable to claw their way back in Quezon City
China look to be heading home early from the Fiba Basketball World Cup, after a surprise 89-69 loss to tournament debutants South Sudan on Monday.
Ranked 27th in the world, China must now beat Puerto Rico on Wednesday and hope other results in Group B go their way to avoid a first-round exit.
Founded as a country in 2011 and accepted into Fiba in 2013, it was South Sudan’s first World Cup win, after starting their tournament with a 101-96 overtime loss to Puerto Rico.
“My guys stuck to the game plan from the opening tip to the closing horn,” Royal Ivey, the South Sudan coach, said. “They were resilient, persistent, they had laser-like focus. They played with emotion, they played with fight, they played with fire. We competed all 40 minutes and we came out with the victory.
“Kudos to my players. I am very excited for them, getting the first win in this World Cup. For this young nation, for the people of South Sudan. I know they are tuning in. We got one, but we are not satisfied. And we will continue to focus and lock in and focus on the next game.”
