China ease past Australia to reach FIBA Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals

China notched a third straight victory in the group stage of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan on Wednesday as they eased into the semi-finals of the tournament.

Favourites to take the title in the Middle East, China had already thrashed Philippines and Taiwan in their group campaign, but were expected to face a decidedly trickier test against the Opals, as the Australian national team are known.

In the event, the well-fancied Chinese outfit were far too strong for their overmatched opponents, despite Australia being Asia’s top-ranked side.

While it was a closely-fought game for the most of the first half, China – led by the irrepressible Huang Sijing – stormed clear in the second half and were good value for their 82-64 victory.