Zhu Junlong (R) of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
SHENZHEN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese men's basketball team won 100-58 over Japan in a Group C game of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers on Thursday evening, securing its place in the Asia Cup.
Japan, who had already qualified for the tournament after winning four qualifying matches, had previously beat China 76-73 in February 2024.
China dominated the game from early on, with Zhu Junlong opening the scoring with a layup. While Zhao Rui and Xu Jie added consecutive baskets, giving China an 8-0 lead. Forward Zeng Fanbo hit a three-pointer to help China extend its lead in the second quarter to double digits.
Japan struggled to score against China's tough defense, only breaking its scoring drought halfway through the third quarter. China scored 31 points in the last quarter to seal its fourth victory with 100-58.
Hu Jinqiu of China and Ryusei Sasaki of Japan both finished with a game-high 17 points, while Zhao contributed 16 points for the host.
"Both teams gave the fans an exciting game," said China's head coach Guo Shiqiang. "Our focus, defensive strategy and fast breaks were on point."
Earlier on Thursday, Mongolia claimed its first qualifying win in Group C, defeating Guam 74-63.
According to the schedule, China will face Guam on Sunday in the second game of the third window, while Japan will take on Mongolia. The 2025 FIBA Asia Cup will take place from August 5 to 17 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ■
Zhou Qi (R) of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Xu Jie (L) and Zhao Rui of China celebrate during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhao Rui (L) of China controls the ball during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Japan's head coach Tom Hovasse attends the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Nakamura Takuto of Japan reacts as he falls down during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhao Rui of China attends the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Toews Kai (L) of Japan breaks through during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Sasaki Ryusei (R) of Japan goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang (C) and player Zhao Rui (R) attend the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Kirk Alex (L) of Japan dunks during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Japan's Toews Kai attends the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhao Rui of China reacts after scoring during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Sasaki Ryusei (L) of Japan breaks through during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
China's Zeng Fanbo (R) and Zhu Junlong celebrate after scoring during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zhao Rui of China attends the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Alex Kirk (R) of Japan competes against Hu Jinqiu of China during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhao Rui of China attends the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang reacts during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang attends the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang celebrates after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang (C) and player Zhao Rui (R) attend the press conference after the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Players of Japan react during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Kanechika Ren (C) of Japan vies with Zhu Junlong (L) of China during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Zeng Fanbo (L) of China blocks a shot during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
Japan's head coach Tom Hovasse reacts during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Spectators watch the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Zeng Fanbo (R) of China passes the ball during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Xu Jie (L) of China competes during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Xu Jie (L) of China breaks through during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Alex Kirk (R) of Japan defends during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Liao Sanning of China dunks during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Spectators watch the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Zeng Fanbo (L) of China shoots during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang reacts during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Japan's head coach Tom Hovasse reacts during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Zhao Rui (L) of China breaks through during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Liao Sanning (C) of China breaks through during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Kanechika Ren (R) of Japan goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Zhou Qi (L) of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Liao Sanning (R) of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Hu Jinqiu of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
China's head coach Guo Shiqiang reacts during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Photo by Peng Zhigang/Xinhua)
Zeng Fanbo (C) of China competes during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhou Qi of China reacts during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Liao Sanning (L) of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zeng Fanbo of China celebrates scoring during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Xu Jie (top) of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhu Junlong of China dunks during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhu Junlong (R) of China celebrates with teammate Zeng Fanbo during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhu Junlong (R) of China vies with Kanechika Ren of Japan during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhao Rui (C) of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Players of China line up before the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Liao Sanning (C) of China competes during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Cui Yongxi (R) of China communicates with teammate Gao Shiyan ahead of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Guo Shiqiang (R), head coach of China, instructs during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhou Qi of China goes for a lay-up during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
Zhao Rui (R) of China breaks through during the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Group C match between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Kaiyan)
