The defending Asian Games champions Japan beat Uzbekistan 101-83
here on Thursday in the opener of thewomen's basketball tournament
of the Busan Asian Games.
Japan, who beat China to win the gold medal at the Bangkok Games in
1998, was never really threatened. Uzbekistan pulled within 82-69
late in the fourth period, but that was the closest they could
go.
Japan coach Norihiko Kitahara said he was concerned about the next
game against China.
"I
am concerned about the next game in which we will play China,"
Kitahara said. "We must do our best."
Six teams are competing at the Asian Games women's basketball with
top four finishers in the round-robin preliminary action qualifying
for the semi-finals.
The Japanese women, 13th-placers at September's world championship
in Jiangsu, China, jumped to a 31-13 lead after the first period
and enlarged the gap to 56-33 at the half time.
(Xinhua News
Agency October 3, 2002)