JPN - 'Gold medal is our goal'

DOHA (Asian Games) - Basketball grabbed the spotlight in Japan this summer when the country hosted the FIBA World Championship and the national team almost reached the knockout stages.

Underdogs before the event, Zeljko Pavlicevic’s men hammered Panama and would have progressed with a victory over New Zealand but suffered a 60-57 defeat to the Tall Blacks to finish Group B with just a single victory.

No medal, then, but Japan’s players did gain valuable experience.

They took on eventual gold medalists Spain and quarter-finalists Germany, along with Angola, New Zealand and the Panamanians in a tough Group B.

The Japanese, now led by Aisin Sea Horses coach Kimikazu Suzuki, promise to be tough competitors at the Asian Games, which tip off in Doha this week.

Tomoo Amino, a 26-year-old shooting guard/small forward who averaged 9.2 points and 2.6 rebounds at the FIBA World Championship, is in the side competing in Doha.

He spoke to PA Sport’s Jeff Taylor ahead of the big event.

FIBA: Tomoo, Japan had some fine moments at the FIBA World Championship. Even though your team did not advance to the eight-finals, the team had some bright moments and did beat Panama convincingly. What are your thoughts looking back on the event?

Tomoo Amino: "It was unfortunate that we couldn't make it to the final 16, but in some parts of the games, we could stand up to the world powerhouses."

FIBA: That tournament only just finished in September, and you already are getting ready for the Asian Games. Will the Japan team be even better in Doha?

Tomoo Amino: "As the composition of participating teams is different, it is hard to say; however I believe we will finish in the top in Asia."

FIBA: Coach Zeljko Pavlicevic appeared to do a fantastic job but his contract expired and now Kimikazu Suzuki, the head coach of JBL side Aisin Sea Horses, is in charge. Will this mean there is to be a major change in style of play?

Tomoo Amino: "Basically, it is not so different. However, our playing style is shifting to pay more attention to the details both in offense and defense."

FIBA: Is Japan an improving basketball nation, in your opinion, or will interest in the sport decrease now that the FIBA World Championship is over?

Tomoo Amino: "I believe the public interest toward basketball in Japan is increasing, especially after the World Championship."

FIBA: What is your most memorable moment of the FIBA World Championship?

Tomoo Amino: "The tip-off of the first game against Germany stands out in my memory. I had a feeling that the World Championship had finally started."

FIBA: Looking ahead to the Asian Games, Qatar, Lebanon and China and Chinese Taipei would seem to be teams with medal chances. What can Japan realistically expect to achieve in the tournament?

Tomoo Amino: "Even though it is expected that every game will be very tough against strong teams in Asia, I would like to do my best in every game to get the gold medal, which is our goal."

Japan Squad:

Eric McArthur, Atsushi Ono, Ryota Sakurai, Kenichi Sako, Shinsuke Kashiwagi, Takehiko Orimo , Kosuke Takeuchi, Tomoo Amino, Takuma Watanabe, Fumihiko Aono, Shunsuke Ito, Joji Takeuchi

By PA Sport
Exclusively for FIBA