Faced with a game to win against Australia to exit Group E of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Japan head coach Tom Hovasse says his side may need their best shooting performance of the tournament to get out.
After struggling in warm-up matches and their first World Cup loss to Germany, Japan managed 52% of their shot attempts, including 63% from inside the arc, in of their 98-88 win over Finland on Sunday.
Japan head coach Tom Hovasse reacts after his team’s victory over Finland in a FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E match at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, southern Japan Japan, August 27, 2023. (Essonne Info) == Essonne Info
Bench keepers Yuki Kawamura and Keisei Tominaga were responsible for eight of Japan’s 11 three-pointers, each of them making 4 of 7 from deep, helping the team to come back from an 18-point deficit at Okinawa Arena.
Following the win, which saw co-hosts Japan keep their hopes alive and eliminate Finland, Hovasse said his players will need to step up a gear in their final group match on Tuesday against a “bigger and stronger” Australian team, which shares a 1-1 record with Japan.
“They’re one of the best teams in the world and we can’t allow them to push us around,” Hovasse said. “We have to stay close in rebounds and we will probably have to shoot better than tonight.
With unbeaten Germany already through to the 16-team second round, only the winner of Japan and Australia can advance to Okinawa and potentially the quarter-finals in the Philippines, which hosts the tournament along with Japan and Australia. Indonesia until September 10.
Hovasse was optimistic about the prospects for his 36th-ranked side provided they stick to their plan against a world No. 3 Australian side determined to bounce back from being beaten 85-82 on Sunday in the heavyweight battle against Germany.
“If we can settle in, play our game and create the rhythm we want, I have a good chance,” said the American tactician.
“It is obvious that we never take them lightly. They are amazing and coach (Brian) Goorjian plays them very well. They lost a tough game today, so they’re going to be hungry”.
Recent encounters between Japan and Australia include a narrow 99-85 loss at the FIBA Asia Cup 2022, in which Tominaga scored 33 points. The Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist also crushed Japan Akatsuki 98-52 in the World Cup qualifiers earlier that month.
Nebraska Cornhuskers sniper Tominaga echoed his coach’s comments following the “huge win” over Finland.
“We all have to get our shots (and) play like today or better,” Tominaga said. “We have to play our basketball for 40 minutes.
Hovasse said the Boomers will try to dominate when play opens on Tuesday and Japan should show the same energy and aggression as them.
“They’re going to give it their all,” Hovasse said. “We have to take the hits and counter them, and hopefully we can show them what we have in store.
Japan’s head coach Tom Hovasse (R) gives instructions to his players during a FIBA Basketball World Cup Group E match against Finland at Okinawa Arena in Okinawa on August 27 2023. (Essonne Info)
Féliciane is one of the talented editors of Essonneinfo. She has written for the site since its launch, and has become a well-known figure in the industry for her skillful reporting and unique take on stories. Féliciane’s main hobby is travelling. Her passion for travel has allowed her to write in-depth articles on cultures around the world.
2023-08-28 09:47:49
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