Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, February 25 (Reporter Yue Chenxing, Yang Guang) The Chinese team lost to the Japanese team 73-76 in the 2025 Men's Basketball Asian Cup Qualifiers on the 25th. After the game, the head coach of the Chinese men's basketball team, Djordjevic, said that the team had a chance to change the direction of the game, but missed a number of key shots, which will be a valuable experience for the growth of young players.
In this game, the Chinese team quickly entered the state, showing their advantages in both interior offense and rebounding. Djordjevic said in his post-match press conference: "We started well and prepared well for the opponent's strengths, but the Japanese team played aggressively in the game and caused a lot of problems for us to switch between attack and defence. We didn't shoot more calmly when creating open shots and missed a couple of chances to take the lead in the tug-of-war. ”
The head coach of the Chinese team, Djordjevic (front). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Yongmin Djordjevic believes that the Japanese team has made good use of the home advantage, and the overall style of play that emphasizes speed and projection has also worked. For the current young Chinese men's basketball team, this game will be a valuable experience on their way to growth.
Young players need to gain experience in games like today's to know how to play in a deafening away atmosphere, not only young players like Yang Hansen and Choi Yong-hee, but also older players. Djordjevic said.
Talking about the sudden "dumb fire" of the Chinese team's three-point shot in the second half, Djordjevic said: "In the second half, we created a few very important open shots, but we didn't take advantage of the opportunities, (when the score was deadlocked) we needed those three-pointers very much, and if a few shots were thrown, the game would have been different." ”
Chinese player Yang Hansen (right) attacks during a match on February 25. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yang Guang Regarding the expectations of young players, Djordjevic said that players first need to adapt to the intensity of FIBA games, and secondly, pay attention to the details of different positions on the court, learn to reduce mistakes, cultivate concentration and stronger discipline.
Djordjevic said: "I want them to grow, to train them to be winners, to make them realize all possibilities. My goal is to guide them in the direction of growth, to teach them as much as I can, and to give opportunities to every young person who works hard. ”