Tanaka Kokoro (C) of Japan competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
SHENZHEN, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Japan defeated defending champion China 90-81 in the semifinal of the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup on Saturday, advancing to the final against Australia.
Japan sank 16 three-pointers in the game and was led by 19-year-old sensation Kokoro Tanaka, who scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Veteran Yuki Miyazawa added 18 points, while Norika Konno contributed 14.
For China, Yang Shuyu led with 19 points. Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu chipped in with 18 and 17, respectively.
China got off to a slow start, committing five turnovers in the first quarter, including four in the opening three minutes. Japan capitalized behind Tanaka's fast-paced offense, as she scored Japan's first eight points and racked up 21 in the opening period.
China steadied in the second quarter, limiting Tanaka's impact. The 226cm-tall Zhang began asserting herself in the paint, scoring eight straight points late in the quarter to help China take a 51-49 lead into halftime.
After the break, Japan surged ahead, building a nine-point lead as China's offense stalled. Head coach Gong Luming rotated frequently between Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu in search of a spark, but the team struggled to find rhythm. A left-handed layup by Yang Shuyu provided a brief lift, but Japan responded with five three-pointers in the third quarter to reclaim an eight-point cushion entering the final 10 minutes.
In the fourth, China closed the gap to three after a fast-break layup by Yang off a Japanese turnover. But Tanaka struck again with two transition layups that pushed Japan's lead back into double digits. Although Han Xu hit a crucial three-pointer and China forced a turnover on the baseline, a missed post-up by Zhang Ru ended their hopes of a comeback.
Japan held firm to seal the 90-81 win, ending China's title defense and advancing to Sunday's final.
At the post-game press conference, Japan head coach Corey Gaines praised his team's execution and emphasized the importance of pre-tournament warmups, particularly in developing young players like Tanaka.
"We'll learn from this loss," said China's head coach Gong. "But our preparation for the 2028 Olympics won't change because of one game. This team currently comprises a mix of veterans, mid-career players and young players, and it is expected to evolve in the coming years. Not many of today's players are guaranteed to be impact contributors in 2028, so I hope to see more talented Chinese players emerge."
When asked whether she plans to play overseas again, Han, a former New York Liberty player, said she had stayed in China to prepare for the Paris Olympic qualifiers and Games to build better chemistry with teammates.
"Even though we lost tonight, this team has great potential for the future. And if I have the opportunity, I still hope to play in overseas leagues," Han said.
The final and third-place matches will both be held on Sunday. Japan faces Australia for the title, while China will take on South Korea for bronze. ■
Yang Liwei (top) of China competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Zhang Ziyu of China reacts during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Yang Shuyu of China competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Zhang Ziyu (top) of China competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Yang Shuyu (L) of China competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Tanaka Kokoro (R) of Japan competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Players of Japan celebrate after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Tanaka Kokoro (L) of Japan competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Yang Shuyu (front) of China reacts after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Players of China are seen after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Stephanie Mawuli (front) of Japan competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Tanaka Kokoro of Japan competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Zhang Ziyu (R) of China drives the ball under the defense of Tokashiki Ramu of Japan during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Zhang Ru (C) of China competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Zhang Ziyu (L) and Han Xu of China react during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Players of China are seen after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Players of Japan celebrate after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Tanaka Kokoro (L) of Japan competes during the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Players of Japan celebrate after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Players of Japan celebrate after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Players of Japan celebrate after the semifinal match between China and Japan at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
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