Sydney, Sept. 27 (BUS): It has been 28 years since China last won a medal at the World Cup, and finished second at the 1994 Games.
With a dominant inner presence led by Han Shuo and Li Yueiro, as well as talented shooters and fast guards, the Chinese team made a strong start in Australia and could find their way to the podium.
China is 3-1 in pool, with the only loss against the United States in the three victories, the Chinese team won an average of 48 points and scored nearly 100 points per game. Even losing 14 points to the United States showed that China has improved from its sixth place in the 2018 World Cup and fifth in last year’s Olympics.
“Compared with the US team, the confrontation and the intensity of the Chinese team in the first two matches of the group stage are not at the same level. I hope the players can take advantage of it,” China coach Cheng Wei said through an interpreter.
“Throughout the match, our team played poorly only in the first few minutes and the last three minutes of the second quarter, and the rest of the time it was good. I am proud of the players’ performance!”
American coach Cheryl Reeve has seen a lot of improvement in China and joked that she doesn’t want them to get much better.
“We have all the respect in the world for China, we’ve seen it grow…This is a great time for the women’s national team,” Reeve said. “It’s a great time. It’s a very good team.”
China plays a more selfless style of pace under Cheng, who took charge in May. In Monday’s win over Puerto Rico, the team had 39 assists in 41 baskets.
Chinese fans have noticed. Besides the host team, China attracted the largest number of fans at the World Cup. Players appreciated the support, signing autographs and taking photos after matches.
“I would love for our fans to come watch it,” said Hahn, who averages 12.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in the tournament.
She entered the tournament after a solid season in the WNBA for Liberty and has a huge fan following.
A victory over Belgium on Tuesday would ensure the No. 2 seed in the group and more importantly the team avoids a rematch with the United States until the gold medal match.