appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP Sport

The Chinese men’s basketball team were left with more questions than answers after wrapping up their warm-up matches for the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers with back-to-back losses.
An 84-77 loss to New Zealand in Foshan on Monday was preceded by some mixed results.
A hard-fought 83-78 win over Uruguay in Shunde last Thursday was marred by numerous favourable calls for the home team, before China were thrashed by the South Americans in a 19-point loss just two days later.
The Chinese team now have only 10 days to regroup before they face Qatar in Doha on Thursday next week. China will also play Lebanon in Zhuji on August 31.
Against the Kiwis on Monday, hosts China trailed only 43-39 at half-time, but New Zealand pulled away after the restart, led by as many as 16 points, and never looked back. The visitors also outrebounded China 45-29, including grabbing 18 offensive boards to score easy baskets.
“We practised together for five days before coming to China; I think we practised as a team for four or five times,” said New Zealand forward Jordan Ngatai, who finished with 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals.

“I’m proud of the young players on the team; they played very well. I think maybe three players from this team will be selected for the national team for the upcoming qualifiers.”
The hastily assembled Tall Blacks, who have only one player with previous experience in Fiba World Cup qualifiers, were a stark contrast to Guo Shiqiang’s side, which had trained together for two-and-a-half months, since the end of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league season in June.
“Our players did look tired; it was our third warm-up match, after all,” Guo said. “All three opponents gave us some intense tests, so that was understandable.
“The only thing we did wrong in this game was rebounding. We gave the opponent 18 offensive rebounds, which was definitely not a good thing. We also gave them 17 points on second-chance opportunities. That was the main reason we lost the game.”
Hu Jinqiu, who had 13 points and five rebounds to his name, said: “We were not quite ready when our opponents crashed the board, missing a lot of rebounds and committing many errors. We have to fix our conditions fast because the next two games are very important.
“The Western Asian opponents are also very physical, so all of us have to find our form.”
However, basketball fans and Chinese media said rebounding was not the team’s only issue, suggesting that China lacked outside shooting and was poor from the three-point line, converting only six of their 25 attempts against New Zealand.
Guo’s side were also described as a team playing without tactics, with no key players on the offensive end. Portland Trail Blazers’ centre Yang Hansen, who did not play on Monday, was expected to feature when the qualifiers begin next week.
Veteran guard Zhao Jiwei, who has been given many chances under Guo’s leadership, was also singled out for his ineffectiveness on the court.
The 30-year-old tallied only two points – both from the free-throw line – from the second Uruguay match and against New Zealand.

“Just release him from the national team! You’re helping the team most by not playing any minutes, just take a rest and let the younger players shine,” said one commentator.
Another comment read: “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Zhao isn’t old; he’s simply not good at all,”
With the results from the first round carrying into the second phase, China, which had only three wins out of six previously, now sit bottom of Group F, which also includes Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
Future qualifiers will be played in November, February and March.
The 16-time Asian champions will play three West Asian sides home and away, with the top three teams, alongside host Qatar, qualifying for the World Cup next year.


Women’s Basketball World Cup: China reach last 8, but fans worry over squad depth, fatigue

Women’s Basketball World Cup: Han Xu stars again as China seal second spot in group

Zhang Ziyu, China’s towering teenage basketball World Cup sensation, ‘just a little girl’

China get Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup campaign back on track as Italy give US a scare

Fiba (International Basketball Federation)

China’s basketball men warm up for World Cup qualifiers with back-to-back losses

China's Li Hongquan (left) drives for a layup in his team's 19-point loss against Uruguay in Foshan, Guangdong, on Saturday. Photo: Xinhua 

Liao Sanning (centre) goes on the attack against New Zealand on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Zhao Jiwei (front) has borne the brunt of criticism after the losses. Photo: Xinhua

Manchester United ‘can handle pressure’ in bid to end torturous Premier League wait

At Manchester United, managers and players are subjected to a level of scrutiny scarcely matched elsewhere. Photo: Reuters

Antonio Valencia plays football with children at a Hong Kong Football Club community event as part of the JC Youth Football Academy Summit 2026. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick sealed Champions League qualification last season. Photo: EPA

New arrivals like Youri Tielemans (left) have big shoes to fill at Manchester United. Photo: EPA

‘Traitors in the gymnastics team’: Chinese fans hit out at squad selection for Asian Games

China’s Zou Jingyuan was attacked online by disgruntled fan groups after the Gymnastics Administrative Centre announced the team for next month’s Asian Games. Photo: AFP

Zhang Boheng led the men’s team to a comeback victory over Japan in the Asian Gymnastics Championships. Photo: AFP

Fans are unhappy the team relies on specialists like Lan Xingyu. Photo: AFP 

Sport

China

Basketball

Defeats against Uruguay and New Zealand leave Guo Shiqiang’s side with much to think about before they face Qatar and Lebanon next week


Defeats against Uruguay and New Zealand leave Guo Shiqiang’s side with much to think about before they face Qatar and Lebanon next week.


CBA (Chinese Basketball Association)

Guo Shiqiang

Basketball Association of Hong Kong, China

China’s basketball men warm up for World Cup qualifiers with back-to-back losses

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Defeats against Uruguay and New Zealand leave Guo Shiqiang’s side with much to think about before they face Qatar and Lebanon next week

Defeats against Uruguay and New Zealand leave Guo Shiqiang’s side with much to think about before they face Qatar and Lebanon next week