Chen Yujie (R) of China vies with Phanthira Phanbot of Thailand during the women's group A basketball match between Thailand and China at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's women's basketball team made a dominant debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday, routing Thailand 111-46 in its group opener.
China opened the game with a 12-1 run, establishing a 33-14 lead by the end of the first quarter following a three-pointer from Chen Yujie. An 11-0 surge at the start of the second quarter further widened the gap, and the advantage was stretched to 43 points by the end of the third. In the final quarter, China limited Thailand to just eight points while scoring 30 itself to seal a massive 65-point victory.
Six Chinese players scored in double digits. Guard Yang Shuyu led the team with a game-high 21 points, adding seven rebounds and five assists. Luo Xinyu and Chen Yujie contributed 16 points each, while Chen Mingling finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.
"Our main rivals include Chinese Taipei, South Korea, and Japan, which will be quite challenging for us. We need to focus on doing our own part well and playing to our true level," said center Chen Mingling.
Yang added that the team is in high spirits and showing no signs of fatigue from consecutive games. "The team has multiple lineups and different tactical approaches. We will present different things depending on different opponents," Yang said.
China will face its second group opponent Indonesia on Monday. ■
Deng Yuting (R) of China vies with Sasiporn Wongtapha of Thailand during the women's group A basketball match between Thailand and China at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Chen Yujie (R) of China breaks through during the women's group A basketball match between Thailand and China at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Liu Yutong (L) of China competes during the women's group A basketball match between Thailand and China at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Chen Yujie (L) of China vies with Supavadee Kunchuan of Thailand during the women's group A basketball match between Thailand and China at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
Liu Yutong (L) of China vies with Supavadee Kunchuan (C) of Thailand during the women's group A basketball match between Thailand and China at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, Sept. 19, 2026. (Xinhua/Luo Yuan)
