Following a hard-fought 81-75 loss to host country Hungary in an Olympic qualifying tournament, the Japanese women’s basketball team’s hope for a spot at the Paris Games has become uncertain. The defeat has cast a shadow of doubt over the team’s Olympic bid, leaving their fate hanging in the balance.
Ranked ninth in the world, Japan was unable to overcome the 19th-ranked Hungarian team, while Spain, ranked number 4, secured a victory over the fifth-ranked Canada in the day’s other match. These results left all four teams in the round-robin tied at 1-1, intensifying the competition for the coveted Olympic berths. The top three teams after the final round on Sunday in Sopron will secure their spots at the Olympics.
Japan, who clinched a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, had initially seemed well-positioned to secure a spot at the Summer Games after a compelling 86-75 victory over Spain. Eager to maintain their momentum, Japan also started strongly against Hungary, with a 22-13 lead in the first quarter. However, Hungary’s dominance in rebounding enabled them to level the game at 32-32 by halftime, ultimately securing a five-point lead going into the final quarter. Despite its usual proficiency from the three-point line, Japan struggled, managing only 9 out of 28 attempts from deep in the intense away atmosphere.
Saori Miyazaki, along with Mai Yamamoto, led Japan with 15 points each, with Miyazaki managing to tie the game at 73-73 with a crucial free throw just two minutes before the game concluded. Sadly, Hungary managed to pull away again, dashing Japan’s hopes of victory.
Expressing his disappointment, Japan head coach Toru Onzuka commented, “We really wanted to win. I’m very frustrated. We let them get on a roll and play comfortably, using the home advantage.”
Despite the setback, Japan still has an opportunity to secure its Olympic qualification by defeating Canada on Sunday. Onzuka shared his team’s strategy, stating, “We’ll look to play Japan’s style of basketball throughout the 40 minutes against Canada.”
As the team gears up for their crucial match against Canada, their supporters hold their breath, hoping for a turnaround and a successful bid for the Olympics.