 China achieves semifinal goal
By Zhao Rui (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-20 08:34 China rocked its home spectators at the Wukesong Basketball Arena yesterday, demolishing Belarus 77-62 and advancing to the semifinals of the women's basketball tournament. The Chinese players were in tears after achieving the target they had set for themselves at these Games, a goal that was considered "out of reach" by the home media. "I'm lost for words," said a weeping Miao Lijie, who scored a game-high 28 points. "I feel relieved we beat them. After we beat the Czechs and Spain in the group stage, there was no way we could have lost to Belarus." Chen Xiaoli contributed another 15 points and center Chen Nan added six points and nine rebounds. Cheered on by 15,000 home fans, China grabbed jumped to a 38-25 lead at halftime. Belarus rallied to narrow the margin in the third quarter but was unable to overhaul the determined Chinese. "We fought our hearts out," said Chen. "We were 200 per cent focused on the ball, and also fans' support gave us a lot of power." However, coach Thomas Maher accused his players of "sloppiness" after allowing Belarus to reduce China's 22-point lead to just nine in the final quarter until Miao hit a key fadeaway jumper in the corner. "We're like reformed drug addicts," he said. "We have to focus very, very hard. Otherwise we will fall back to bad habits very quickly." China next faces Maher's home team, Australia, which eased past the Czech Republic 79-46. China used to be a powerhouse in women's basketball in the 1990s, winning silver medals at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 and the World Championships in Australia two years later. But it struggled thereafter, even failing to qualify for the Sydney Games. In other matches yesterday, Australia comfortably defeated the Czech Republic 79-46 and the US crushed South Korea 104-60. (China Daily 08/20/2008 page14) |
