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China's women cagers aim at every win in Rio despite world rankings

Xinhua, June 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Chinese women basketball team tries to win every game in group phase of the Rio Olympics, showing few concern to FIBA world rankings, the head coach Thomas Maher said here on Wednesday.

China is placed in Group B with the United States, Spain, Canada, Serbia and Senegal in Rio.

"It's a tough group, but it's the Olympic Games. Our goal is to finish the top eight. We can beat teams if we keep improving, and it will be interesting.

"If you look at the rankings, we've got more chances to beat Senegal, then Serbia, then Canada, then Spain and USA. We try to win every game," said Maher.

Veteran center Chen Nan gave the team a huge boost in qualifying for the Olympics after spending more than two years away from the international tournament.

"Chen Nan gives us the second 5 post (center) player. It's a huge difference as she really helps defensively. Also she is a very experienced player. Our players lack experience, and she's worked as a good mother to them as well," commented Maher.

"We needed another experienced post player. We took chance. She didn't really play well until the final game (in the qualifiers) against Belarus.

"These players are more sort of in line with the next Olympics in Japan. This team is very young for the Rio Olympics, but they are the best players we have. We are deep, and we can play with all the players," he added.

China will fly to Canada on July 7, and play three warmup matches against the Canadian national team. After spending one and a half weeks back in Beijing, the team will head to the United States for two more matches.

They are scheduled to arrive in Rio on August 2, playing their final warmup match before the Olympics against the Brazilian national team.

"Physically our players are in a very good shape. Their agility and strength has improved tremendously. Mentality is a skill. You have to develop your mentality. We are still learning," said Maher.

According to Maher, China's final 12-player roster for the Olympic Games is yet to be named. Endit