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Donewald:China must win the Asian title

By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2011-06-28 08:21

PERTH, Australia - The coach of China's men's basketball team has his sights firmly set on winning the Asian Championships in September, which will ensure the team an Olympic berth.

"This summer we have to win. This is the Olympic qualifier," said Bob Donewald.

"We've got to win. We feel that the Chinese fans, at least, deserve to see their team at the Olympics. There is no doubt about it. Sept 25 is the championships. We are going to get that win," Donewald told China Daily during the team's friendly matches with Australia in Perth and Singapore.

Assuming the position of coach of China in April of last year, Donewald's main task was to lead the team to the 2012 Olympics in London and try to make a breakthrough there.

Winning the Asian Championships, which will be held from Sept 15-25 in Wuhan, will be a major step towards achieving that.

Two years ago, the Chinese team, a 14-time Asian champion, was humiliated by Iran 70-52 in the regional final in Tianjin.

At the Guangzhou Asian Games last November, China beat South Korea 77-71 in the final to win gold. The victory provided a major boost of confidence for the traditional Asian powerhouse.

"We've got a couple of injuries but when you win tough competitions, you gain confidence," said Donewald.

"I'm not under any kind of pressure. It's competition and I love it. I don't see it as pressure. I see it as a lot of fun. We can't wait to get started."

To prepare for the Asian Championships, Donewald believes working on the team's defense is the most important thing.

"Right now, what we are witnessing is probably the best team defense in the history of China, but I still think it's not good enough. It's not where we need to be," said the American coach. "We have got to get a lot better if we want to compete at high level on the world stage."

Donewald will be leading a team without NBA all-star Yao Ming at the Asian Games, but fellow NBA player Yi Jianlian will be available.

The team faces a busy schedule as it builds up for the Asian Championships.

Besides the two friendly matches against Australia in Perth and Singapore last week, China will play in a four-nation tournament next month, the Stankovic Continental Champions' Cup in August and also have some matches in London and Germany.

For Donewald, such a tough schedule is good for the team.

"We've got a pretty full schedule between now and then (Asian Championships). I think the tougher the competition you can get in by the time you get to the real thing makes you well prepared," he said.

China Daily

(China Daily 06/28/2011 page23)