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A fortnight ago, an ashen-faced Yao Ming declared that he will take "full responsibility" for China's disastrous campaign at the World Cup on home soil. Now, after days of finger-pointing and recriminations the Chinese Basketball Association president and his crestfallen players have been offered a chance of redemption.
The former NBA All-Star's side failed to earn an automatic Olympic berth following poor display at home as the hosts finished just 24th out of 32 teams with excruciating defeats at the hands of Poland, Nigeria and Venezuela. Their lackluster performance triggered harsh criticism and derision from Chinese supporters who struggled to fully come to terms with China's sudden collapse.
However, their hopes of making it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been reignited after the team were confirmed to secure a spot for the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments to be held next year.
Yao Ming (R) consoles Yi Jianlian after China suffer loss to Nigeria during the FIBA World Cup at the Guangzhou Gymnasium, September 8, 2019. /VCG Photo
Spain, France, Argentina, U.S.A., Nigeria, Australia, Iran and hosts Japan punched a direct ticket to the Olympics. The four remaining slots will be distributed in a 24-team tournament that will take place from June 23 to 28, 2020.
Two-thirds of the qualifying tournament spots had already been given to the best-placed non-qualified teams from the World Cup. The final eight spots were allocated to the two highest-ranked countries per region when the FIBA announced its latest world rankings on Thursday.
China, who is ranked 27th in the world, and 30th-ranked South Korea secured the spots in Asia-Oceania. Slovenia and Croatia claimed the two European spots, while Angola and Senegal in Africa and Mexico and Uruguay from the Americas rounded up the pool.
The bidding process to host the qualifiers will begin in coming months with Greece, Lithuania and Serbia the leading candidates to throw their hat into the ring.
The world No. 6 Serbia leads the 24-team 2020 Olympic qualifying tournaments roster. /VCG Photo
Full list of teams qualified for the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments:
1. Angola
2. Brazil
3. Canada
4. China
5. Croatia
6. Czech Republic
7. Dominican Republic
8. Germany
9. Greece
10. Italy
11. Korea
12. Lithuania
13. Mexico
14. New Zealand
15. Poland
16. Puerto Rico
17. Russia
18. Senegal
19. Serbia
20. Slovenia
21. Tunisia
22. Turkey
23. Uruguay
24. Venezuela