The Sky Sport Tall Ferns will need to cause an upset or two if they are to advance to the next stage of Olympic Qualifying Series when it tips off at the Trusts Arena in Auckland in three weeks.
New Zealand will face China, South Korea and the Philippines on 14,16 and 17 of November, with just two of the four teams to remain in contention for a place at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
China is an Asian powerhouse and is the favourite for this event. They are ranked seventh in the world and have won the Asia Cup on 11 occasions. China has also medalled at the Olympic Games and World Championship tournaments. They come to Auckland on the back of a second-place finish at the recent Asia Cup in India where Shao Ting and Han Xu were named to the All-Star Five.
Xu at 205cm (6’9”) is a highly effective shot-blocker and rebounder who will tower above the Tall Ferns players and in Ting, they have a small forward with great vision who averaged 3.8 assists per game in India.
FIBA writer and broadcaster Jeff Taylor was in India calling the games for television and was mightily impressed with the Chinese team.
“China has at least two good players at every position and are blessed with good size, especially Han Xu and Li Yueru, who is powerful and almost unstoppable if catching the ball on the low block.
“They can run – get out on the fast break quickly, especially Yang Liwei, who is also a terrific shooter from deep.
“Any one of several players can spark the team, including point guard Li Yuan – she killed New Zealand at the end of the first half in India with back to back threes, in a game China won 67-44.
“Wang Siyu is tough defensively and also driving to basket – she was the inspiration in China’s win over Australia last month.
“They’re young, but now have valuable experience after the Asia Cup,” added Taylor.
Although South Korea is ranked #17 in the world compared to the New Zealand #42, the Tall Ferns came close to an upset in India. The difference, in the end, was six points (58-52), where Penina Davidson and Charlisse Leger-Walker had double-digit outings.
South Korea was indebted to Kang Leeseul and Bae Hyeyoon who scored 13 points apiece on the night.
“Bae Hyeyoon is their sweet passing big, a veteran who plays a lot of minutes,” said Taylor.
“Kang Leeseul is very important offensively but she got hurt during Asia Cup and missed vital games.
“Jihyun Park is their teenage rising star and King Seul entered the court and immediately hit big shots on several occasions in India.”
It promises to be another close game when the two teams meet again.
“Korea like to be physical and disruptive on the perimeter against the Tall Ferns, but maybe New Zealand can use their size advantage,” reflected Taylor.
Although the Tall Ferns are five places ahead on the FIBA rankings, they would be foolish to underestimate the ever-improving Philippines (#47).
The squad that Philippines Head Coach Pat Aquino has assembled includes 23-year old former UCLA Bruin Kelli Hayes. At the FIBA Asia Cup, Hayes averaged 9.3 points per game. Afril Bernardino led the Philippines scoring at the Asia Cup, averaging 11.8 points per game while Jack Danielle Animan was terrific on the boards averaging 6.3 rebounds per game.
Tall Ferns Head Coach Guy Molloy will be hopeful the experience his team has gained at the Asia Cup, and earlier in the year at the William Jones Cup, will stand them in good stead for their three Olympic Qualifying games.
More information:
Schedule:
- Thurs 14 Nov, 5pm. KOREA V CHINA
- Thurs 14 Nov, 7:30pm. NEW ZEALAND V PHILIPPINES
- Sat 16 Nov, 3pm. PHILIPPINES V KOREA
- Sat 16 Nov, 5:30pm. CHINA V NEW ZEALAND
- Sun 17 Nov, 3pm. PHILIPPINES V CHINA
- Sun 17 Nov, 5:30pm. KOREA V NEW ZEALAND
Venue: The Trust’s Arena, Auckland
Tickets: on at Ticketek.co.nz
Broadcaster: Sky Sport
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Website: www.TallFerns.basketball
