In the Tokyo Olympics and basketball women's basketball, Japan defeated the powerful France 74-70 in the first match of the qualifying league on the 27th.

Japan, which ranked 10th in the world ranking in the last Rio de Janeiro tournament, played against France, which ranked 5th in the world, in the first qualifying league match held at Saitama Super Arena.



Japan showed an equal fight in the first half with speedy dribbles, passes, and accurate three-point shots against the tall France, leading 34 to 36 and 2 points.



In the second half, Japan's defense was shining with a lot of people, and it was a one-off development, but Moeko Nagaoka, who participated in two consecutive tournaments, shot a three-point shot in the scene where the match time was less than 30 seconds left and one point was led. After deciding and pushing France away, Japan won 74-70.



In the qualifying league, 12 participating teams will be divided into 4 teams to play in a round robin, and the next match in Japan will be played on the 30th against the United States, which has won the tournament for 6 consecutive years.

Good start in the absence of ace

Japan got off to a good start with the players showing a united battle in the absence of an absolute ace.



It was Ramu Tokashiki who pulled the Japanese national team as an ace. With a height of 1 meter and 93 centimeters, he has also played in the American Women's Professional League WNBA, and contributed significantly to the final 8 advancement at the previous Rio de Janeiro Games.



However, in December of last year, he was seriously injured by tearing the ligament of his knee and did not become a representative, and Japan lacked the main pillar and faced the first game of the Olympic Games.



One of the highlights was the "basket that keeps moving together." France's average height is nearly 10 centimeters higher than Japan, and from the beginning, he made use of that height to score points, but in Japan, Rui Machida, the commander, actively dribbled with speed, and other players. Also showed a well-coordinated attack.



Even in the defense, two people took the ball and showed tenacity as a team, and captain Maki Takada said, "I think that the fact that we continued to work together in offense and defense led to the victory. The basket that everyone will continue to move in the next game I want to aim for. "



Japan defeated the powerhouse by filling the absolute ace hole with everyone. Next, I will challenge the champion, America.