OKINAWA (Japan) - When the final buzzer sounded, it was more than just a mark in the win column - their first in this FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Qualifiers - for China. It was release. It was a response.
It was a reminder.
After opening Window 1 with two frustrating losses last November, the Red Dragons arrived in Okinawa under pressure. They left with their first victory - and perhaps a reset to their entire campaign.
"We have a great tradition of the national team from the old generation,"
Here are three reasons why this win meant so much for China:
Big time bounce back
China came into this game winless in the Qualifiers. Two losses in November had raised questions, tightened expectations, and placed some urgency on this window.
A third straight defeat would have put them in a difficult position early in the race to qualify for the World Cup.
Instead, they responded.
After a sluggish first quarter and a stalled half-court offense, China began to find rhythm in transition during the second period.
He Xining's quick threes out of halftime ignited the comeback. Zhao Jiwei added three more from beyond the arc, and Hu Jinqiu controlled the paint with a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds.
From winless to on the board - that psychological shift matters.
Revenge is served
This wasn't just any opponent. This was Japan. Away. In Okinawa.
China had previously fallen to Japan in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, a rare loss that signaled a narrowing gap between the two East Asian rivals. Playing on Japanese soil added another layer of difficulty.
And early on, the hosts fed off that energy.
Led by Yuta Watanabe's passion and pace, Japan built a double-digit advantage. The crowd sensed an early advance to the Second Round was within reach.
But China weathered it.
Winning at home is usually expected for China. Winning away - in a charged environment - sends a different message for the upcoming games and windows.
Don't count them out
At one point, this game looked like it might slip away.
Japan were up by 15. China were misfiring. The offense lacked fluidity. Doubts lingered.
Then came the third quarter.
Defensive stops. Control of the boards. A shift in tempo.
China outshot Japan from distance (9 made threes to 5) and capitalized as the home team struggled at the free-throw line (15-of-27 in a game decided by seven points). What began as a deficit turned into composure - and eventually command.
"We have a great tradition of the national team from the old generation. So we got to believe in each other, pick up the intensity and guard the opponents according to the personnel," China Head Coach Guo Shiqiang revealed after the game, on how he energized his crew at halftime.
FIBA