The Boomers’ have certified for the second stage of the FIBA World Cup after a dominant 109-89 victory over hosts Japan in Okinawa.
In entrance of a packed crowd cheering their aspect on, the Boomers have delivered a commanding end result to get rid of Japan of their winner-takes-all conflict.
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After the shock loss to Germany of their final begin, the Boomers have been dominant in opposition to Japan, main from starting to finish.
An eight-point lead at quarter-time prolonged to 22 at halftime and, regardless of Japan happening a 14-4 run on the finish of the third quarter which introduced the gang to life to slim the hole to 17, Australia romped to their largest ever rating in a World Cup match.
It was additionally the primary time two Aussies had two gamers rating double-doubles in a World Cup or Olympic match based on John Casey in commentary, with Josh Giddey tallying 26 factors, 5 rebounds and 11 assists, whereas Xavier Cooks had 24 factors, 16 rebounds, together with 10 offensive boards.
Speaking on ESPN, five-time NBL coach of the Perth Wildcats Trevor Gleeson had nothing however reward for Giddey.
“Josh Giddey has been first-class,” Gleeson mentioned.
“He has been sensational these last two, three minutes.”
Patty Mills, who Australia had leaned closely on offensively within the event thus far, scored simply 11 factors with 9 assists as different stars took over.
Josh Green, who began for the primary time this event within the place of Matisse Thybulle, scored 15, whereas Nick Kay had 13.
Japan’s Joshua Hawkinson starred for Japan, scoring 33 factors whereas Yuta Watanabe had 24.
The win units up a mouth-watering conflict in opposition to Slovenia and NBA famous person Luka Doncic.
It comes two years after the Boomers beat Slovenia within the bronze medal match, which helped Australia rating its first males’s medal at a significant event.
Having misplaced a sport in opposition to Germany and with the highest two ranked groups going via, the Boomers will principally have to go undefeated to ebook a spot within the quarterfinals.
“This is the World Cup – nothing is going to be handed to us on a silver plate,” Mills mentioned.
“Everyone’s going to give us their best shot, we understand this is going to be hard. That pressure, we welcome it.”
The victory additionally places stress on New Zealand because the Tall Blacks and Boomers are battling it out of the automated qualifying spot out of Oceania.
The highest ranked group from Oceania will win the spot and if New Zealand misplaced to Greece tomorrow, Australia could have booked their place to Paris.
Source: www.news.com.au
