China face crunch do-or-die clash against Chinese Taipei in Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers
Team suffered a humiliating defeat to Japan on home soil and sit bottom of the group, meaning they have to win the match on Monday
China face a do-or-die basketball match against Chinese Taipei after suffering a humiliating 92-73 loss to Japan in the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers on home soil on Friday.
The 19-point loss for the men’s team at Liaoning Gymnasium was China’s first at home to Japan in any official Fiba-level match in 88 years.
It was also the team’s third loss in five group matches, and with China ranked bottom of the four-team table, they now need a win against Chinese Taipei on Monday to qualify for the second-round qualifiers.
Chinese social media users did not hold back about what they thought of the team after the loss to a Japan side playing without their two key players, Rui Hachimura and Yuki Kawamura, who both played in the NBA last season.
“No organisation, no teamwork, no scoring, no defence, no fighting spirit,” one commenter said.
“Like the Chinese men’s football team, the Chinese men’s basketball team has a host of problems and no hope in sight,” a netizen said.