BENGALURU (FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship 2018) – FIBA’s introduction of Oceania Zone teams into the Asian mix, has created exciting new rivalries.

Australia in particular— a top 10 ranked team across all age groups, in both men and women — has expectedly been dominant against Asia's elite.

As the FIBA U18 Women’s Asian Championship tips off later this month in Bengaluru, it will mark the first time that the Australian U18 women’s team (nicknamed the ‘Gems’) will be competing in the Asian circuit.

Can the Gems replicate the Championship success of their U16 counterparts (the ‘Sapphires’) from last year?

Two key hurdles stand in Australia’s path to glory. First up are 15 time gold medalists and the reigning four time champions China. So dominant have the Chinese been at this level, that the only time they have finished outside the medals bracket was in the first three editions between 1970 and ’74.

Interestingly, if past head to heads are anything to go by, among Division A rivals, China is the team that has least bothered Australia. The sides last met in the semifinals of the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2017, a lopsided 86-46 victory for the Sapphires.

While Australia has been successful in neutralizing China's size, it is the lighting quick Japan that has troubled them the most.

In fact, Australia vs Japan women’s basketball action has produced two of the most tantalizing finals in recent memory.

At the 2017 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, it was the hot shooting and electrifyingly fast Japan that was the only team to beat Australia, that too in the all important Championship game, a thrilling 74-73 win.

A few months later, at the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2017, it was Australia that exacted revenge with a 61-60 victory in the gold medal game.

Australia's Nnenna Emma-Nnopu (left) and Isabel Palmer during the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship 2017.

Australia’s U18 squad this year will include four key performers from last year's U16 team  -Isabel Palmer, Nnenna Emma-Nnopu, Ashley Hannan and Isobel Anstey. Interestingly for Japan, center Maya McArthur is the only familiar face from its 2017 U16 roster.

Will we witness another epic Australia vs Japan face off- Part III? Will China five-peat? Or will any of the other Division A teams such as Korea or Chinese Taipei spring a surprise?

***

 All Division A games of 24th FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championship 2018 will be held at the Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru.

 FIBA