Asian Games 2023: China men’s basketball team ‘back on track’ after woeful World Cup, coach says
- Weeks after China’s worst ever Fiba World Cup finish, their coach Aleksandar Dordevic says ‘the energy is back’ and the goal in Hangzhou is ‘to go all the way’
- China are without some of their big names at the Games, and Dordevic expects ‘others will step up’
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China men’s basketball coach Aleksandar Dordevic has said his team are ready to put their dismal Fiba World Cup behind them and bounce back at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
The eight-time champions will begin the quest to defend their title against Mongolia on Tuesday, before facing Chinese Taipei two days later and wrapping up the group stage against Hong Kong a week on Saturday.
Dordevic said the team had been “practising well” since the World Cup, which ended two weeks ago with a 29th-place finish for China, their worst ever at the tournament.
“The energy is back, we got some needed rest after the World Cup,” he said. “We are back on track.
“Players came in motivated. Every next game is an opportunity for us to get those losses behind us and restart the new path.”
Their replacements are guard Cheng Shuaipeng, forward Du Runwang and centre Yu Jiahao.
“They brought new enthusiasm and energy, which is what we need from them as young players,” 56-year-old Dordevic said. “But there is no need to put any extra pressure on the players, especially the new ones.”
Dordevic said players would have to adapt quickly to the forced changes to his roster.
“I believe the others will step up in a good way, and I expect them to do so right from the beginning,” he said. “We just have to create our team strength.”
China’s men’s team have only once missed out on the podium – in 2014 in Incheon – and have amassed eight gold medals, two silvers and a bronze in their 12 appearances.
And Dordevic is determined to shake off the disappointment of the World Cup and guide his team to glory in front of the home fans.
“It’s a very demanding competition right after the World Cup, physically and mentally,” he said.
“But the goal for us is to go all the way, absolutely, and get the gold medal for China.”
Zhao Rui, who is donning his usual No 10 jersey in the absence of Zhou Peng, also expected the team to perform on home soil.
“The fact that we’re missing some players may affect the team, but we are familiar with those players coming in,” he said. “This group of players is young in general and they need to show their energy.”
