TOKYO (Japan) – As Maki Takada and Tom Hovasse sat alongside each other in the post-game media conference after a gripping opening day win against France, a mixture of both relief and a sense of purpose was palpable.

A change to the Olympic format in Tokyo that now sees four nations instead of six during the Group Phase added the extra pressure of a host nation team looking to advance - carrying the pride of one's nation on your shoulders will do that. There is little margin of error, Japan's task ramped up even more by the presence of the USA in their pool.

"I KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF OUR TEAM THAT ARE DOUBTERS, BUT WHEN I TOOK THIS JOB FIVE YEARS AGO, I SAID AT THE FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE THAT I WANT TO WIN THE GOLD MEDAL," - Tom Hovasse-

It’s probably why after completing a pulsating 74-70 success against the French, that 'Coach Tom' blew out his cheeks and glanced briefly to the heavens. He knew the significance of Japan getting off the mark at the first attempt in what always looked like it could prove the absolute crunch game in the group - as well as the key step towards his ultimate ambition.

"My goal is still to win the gold medal,” Hovasse insisted. “I know there are people outside of our team that are doubters, but when I took this job five years ago, I said at the first press conference that I want to win the gold medal and that I want to play the USA in the title game.

“That’s why, with this new system, which is so different from Rio that we had to win the first game. France are the second-best team in Europe, Nigeria are the African champions and USA are the best in the world.”

A major factor in the victory was Japan getting it done by making five three-pointers during the last quarter – a fact not lost on the play-caller.

"I THOUGHT HER DEFENSE IN THE LOW POST WAS PHENOMENAL...TAKADA WAS THE MVP." - Tom Hovasse

“Towards the end, we kind of hit the Tokyo weather that's going on right now. We hit a typhoon - we hit some threes," Hovasse mused. "In Japanese, we say it's a 'gaman-no-shiai' - it's a game of patience. It's going to happen and finally, it did - thankfully."

But perhaps the opening game highlighted just what the real key to success at the Games could be for Japan.

While their trademark three-point shooting is always a danger and can be utilized by so many players right down the roster (indeed it was forward Moeko Nagaoka who delivered the dagger against France in crunch time) the performance of Maki Takada was epic.

A quick glance at the statistics might not reveal why, but the biggest number of the entire game was her playing time of almost 37 minutes. That was around 15 minutes more than any other player, with Coach Hovasse needing his ‘Captain Fantastic’ to help make up for the absence of injured star Ramu Tokashiki.

Takada put in an incredible shift of hard work. Even for a relentless player who has always prided herself on how much commitment, energy and determination for her team – this display against France was special. She simply never stopped.

“Our captain did something out of the ordinary with the playing time she had,” Hovasse confirmed.

“But she is just so well-conditioned that she can do it and I thought her defense in the low post was phenomenal," Hovasse added. "While Sandrine Gruda of France had a good game, every single shot was contested and we made it hard for her.

“Takada was the MVP."

As for the player herself, who turns 32-years-old next month, it was so typical of her outlook that her main thought was immediately on the next game and how she can be even better.

“We are very happy first of all to be able to play here in the Olympics and in Tokyo, with that win boosting our confidence and helping us to prepare for the next match," Takada said. “There is more for me to work on and more still more to come defensively."

Takada will have the ultimate test when Japan next step out against the USA, who have frontcourt options, including Brittney Griner, Tina Charles, Sylvia Fowles, A’Ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.

If Hovasse and his brilliant on-court leader are to realize their dreams of gold, this is the standard they need to aspire to and exceed.

And, one thing is absolutely certain – Japan’s hopes could barely be in the hands of two more capable and dedicated leaders.

FIBA