Taiwan got off to a winning start in men’s basketball and handball at the Asian Games after defeating Japan and India respectively in the group stage.
Basketball captain Ray Chen led by example with 18 points, while forward Liu Cheng added 14 to prevail over Japan 71-65 in yesterday’s Group C opener at the GBK Basketball Hall in Jakarta.
Japan hit their stride early, going ahead by six points at the end of the first quarter and leading 37-30 at halftime, but Taiwan found their scoring touch with field goals and three-pointers in the third quarter, draining 29 points against Japan’s 16 to take the lead 59-53.
Photo: AFP
In the fourth quarter, Japan chipped away to close within two points, but Taiwanese-American Douglas Creighton sank two three-pointers in the final stretch and Liu grabbed a couple of rebounds to secure the six-point victory.
“After trailing Japan early, we followed our coach’s instructions and played better defense in the second half,” said Creighton, who plays for Pauian Archiland in the Super Basketball League.
Head coach Charlie Parker singled out the team captain for special praise.
Photo: AFP
“In the second half, it was what I wanted to see from Ray Chen. He directed the game’s tempo and launched the offense under his control,” the American said.
“Our team needed Chen to fire up the offense,” he added. “It was not an easy game for him. Japan paid special attention to contain him, but Chen came through for us.”
Taiwan is to face Hong Kong on Monday next week, then Qatar on Saturday.
In men’s handball, Taiwan faces a tough Group D, which includes India, Bahrain and Iraq.
Taiwan were in sharp form in their opener on Monday, scoring 19 goals in each half on 63 shot attempts to triumph 38-28 over India at Popki Sports Hall.
Captain Chiu Yi-fan netted an outstanding eight goals, with winger Hsiao Nien-cheng and right back Chao Hsien-chang contributing five goals each.
Bahrain downed Iraq 30-24 in the other Group D match on Monday.
Taiwan are next to face Iraq today and Bahrain on Friday.
VOLLEYBALL CUP
Meanwhile in the Asia Men’s Volleyball Cup in Taipei, local fans hailed Taiwan’s 3-1 win over Kazakhstan on Monday to advance to the semi-finals.
Following their loss to Iran in the preliminaries, Taiwan produced a surprising run to defeat Australia 3-0 and Thailand 3-2 in the playoffs.
In the semi-final last night, Iran advanced to the final after defeating Taiwan 25-19, 25-20, 25-23.
Taiwan are to play Japan for the bronze medal today. If they win, it will be the highest Taiwan has ever placed, after finishing fourth in 2010 and 2016.
Manchester City have reached do-or-die territory in the UEFA Champions League earlier than expected ahead of what Pep Guardiola has described as a “final” against Club Brugge today. City have disproved the suggestion a new format to Europe’s top club competition would remove any jeopardy for the top clubs as Guardiola stares down the barrel of failing to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in his career. The English champions have endured a torrid season both in their English Premier League title defense and on the continent. A run of one win in 13 games, which included Champions League
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Less than a week after splashing out a world-record fee for Naomi Girma, Chelsea has spent big again to bring England midfielder Keira Walsh back to the English Women’s Super League. Walsh left European champions Barcelona after more than two years to join Chelsea for a reported ￡400,000 (US$496,000) on Friday. Walsh was the world’s most expensive player for two years after moving to Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported ￡400,000 in 2022. That status now belongs to Girma, the US defender who cost Chelsea a reported ￡900,000 to sign from the San Diego Wave. Still, it means 27-year-old Walsh — a technically
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday poured in 35 points as the Thunder grabbed a bounce-back 118-108 victory in Portland to push their NBA-best record to 37-8. The Thunder, surprised by the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, fended off a late surge from the Trail Blazers to snap their four-game winning streak. Jalen Williams scored 24 points and Isaiah Joe added 16 off the bench. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, back after a five-game absence with a calf injury, added 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a big block. The Western Conference leaders were under pressure late as Portland, trailing by 15 heading
RSS