Coach Xu praises Chinese women's basketball team

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The recently concluded Women's Basketball World Cup in Spain has marked the year-end match for Chinese women's basketball team as the players have competed in 41 games this year.

They have performed especially well, winning the gold at the Asian Games in August and ranking sixth during the World Cup in September.

"If the full score is 100, I would give my players 120, because they have performed beyond expectation," said Xu Limin, the coach, in a recent interview.

"Many young players joined the team at the beginning of the year. I was worried about their lack of experience during the games. Now, I know our teamwork is great," he added.

For such a young team, Xu believed his side has a lot to improve on compared to strong rivals from other countries.

Coach Xu Limin cheers for the Chinese women's basketball team during their group match with Mongolians, which ended 110-36 in China's favor at the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 20, 2018. /VCG Photo

"In Asia, we need to compete with the Japanese and South Koreans," Xu said. "There is a long way to go for the Chinese team to catch up with the world's strong teams."

"Focusing on the current players, my tactic is to develop their potential starting from the basic skills. Therefore, participating in various competitions is one of the most effective approaches to improving the team's strength," Xu said.

In comparison to the 41 games this year, Xu aims to play more in 2019, preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The coach wished that young female players could stay healthy in the upcoming competitions.

(Top image: Coach Xu Limin (L) and two players of the Chinese women's basketball team prepare ahead of a game in Beijing, China, September 11, 2018. /VCG Photo)