Chennai: Asian powerhouse China thrashed a hapless India 107-49 in their third league match of the six-team Level One event in the 23rd FIBA Asia Women Basketball Championship here this evening. Having lost all three matches that they played so far, including to Korea and Chinese Taipei, India faces relegation to Level-Two of the championship.
It remains to be seen whether the hosts will win over Japan and Thailand in Level-One on Monday and Tuesday. As per tournament rules, the last two finishers among the six-teams in Level-One are relegated if they lose the play-off match against the top two teams (also among six teams) to be held on Sept 23 and 24.
As of now, both India and Thailand have lost all their three matches. The other four teams in the fray - defending champions Korea, last year``s finalist China, Japan and Chinese Taipei - are all set to figure in the semifinals.
Earlier today, Japan brushed aside Thailand 94-60 to record their second win in three matches. Korea take on Taipei in their third match later tonight.Compared to their two earlier outings against seventh ranked China, India went in for some outside shooting today. Though the passes were well distributed, the chinese closely marked them, denying any leeway in their zone, forcing the hosts to shoot from outside, which they invariably missed.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, September 20, 2009, 14:01
