CHN/KOR - Chinese women packing their bags for London after heart-stopper
OMURA (FIBA Asia Championship for Women) - China have reserved themselves a place at the London Olympic Games with a heart-stopping 65-62 victory over Korea in the gold medal game at the FIBA Asia Championship for Women in Omura, Japan.
Korea and China had produced a double overtime classic earlier in the tournament, and this final could easily have gone the same way had Lee Younhoa's three-pointer on the buzzer gone in. It fell short and China celebrated their 11th gold medal in the Asian championships.
Ultimately it was dual Olympian Miao Lijie (20 points) and triple Olympian Chen Nan (17 points, 10 rebounds) who secured China's passage to London, Miao connecting on an enormous three-pointer with 80 seconds to go to give her team a 63-59 lead.
Moments later though, Korea's Lee nailed her own bomb from two metres outside the arc to bring the margin back to one point. With seven seconds on the clock Chen would make two clutch free throws, setting Lee one final task that would prove beyond her.
Their younger teammates adorned all their medals around the necks of Miao and Chen following the game and bowed down in homage to the experienced duo, who were both stars in China's fourth placed finish at the Beijing Olympics and were both named in the All-Tournament Team here in Omura. Miao claimed tournament MVP honours.
Ma Zengyu was the other star for China in the defeat of Korea with 19 points, including two three-pointers bridging three quarter time that swung the momentum China's way after Korea had skipped out to a five point lead.
"This year we prepared well, our coaches were smart and our team was really together as one, and I think we will keep growing from this and we will be prepared for the Olympic Games," Ma said following the victory.
Coach Sun Fengwu paid tribute to the role of Miao and Chen, both on and off the court, in guiding this young team to victory. "For the young players the older players take on a role like big sisters," he said.
"This Chinese women's national team is in a very special situation where we have a transitional period with young players and older players. We have had our problems that we must overcome, but it was a great performance to win this game and get a ticket for London, it is a great achievement.
"A final like today is more a mental game, and it is a great experience for our players to experience this."
Sin Jung Ja was superb for silver medallists Korea with 15 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks. Sin was named in the All Tournament Team alongside point guard Choi Youn Ah.
While China earns direct qualification for London, Korea must win their way through the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where they will be joined by Japan, who thrashed Chinese Taipei 83-56 to the delight of the near-capacity home crowd, claiming their country's 12th bronze medal at the FIBA Asia Championship for Women.
Japan's Maki Takada led the way with 25 points, while Yuko Oga scored 10 points and handed out 6 assists before being named in the All Tournament Team.
