History Made! Australia Fends Off Japan To Clinch First FIBA Women's Asia Cup Title
However, missed opportunities—including two missed free throws—proved costly for Japan. Clutch baskets from Australia's Alexandra Fowler and Alex Brooke Wilson helped the Opals regain control as time slipped away for their opponents.
Historic Triumph for the Opals
Ranked second in the world by FIBA, Australia erupted in celebration at the final buzzer, finally putting an end to their Asia Cup title drought.
Fowler, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, led her team with 15 points. Wilson added 14 points, while point guard Stephanie Reid contributed 13 in the championship win.
Despite the loss, Japan's teenage phenom Kokoro Tanaka impressed once again. The 19-year-old, who scored 27 points in Japan's semi-final win over host nation China, finished the final with 21 points and nine assists, capping a breakout tournament.
China Secures Bronze with Zhang's Dominance
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Suryakumar Yadav Joins Aura Farming Trend With Shreyanka Patil At Gym Session
Last Updated: Joining hands for an amusing collab, Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyanka Patil unleashed funny moves for the #AuraFarming trend in a viral clip on Instagram. India's T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav showcased his humorous side again on social media, taking part in the #AuraFarming trend with a hilarious clip alongside India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru women's young sensation, Shreyanka Patil. Currently under rehab from a surgery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Suryakumar evoked laughs among cricket fans on Instagram with the video. Paddling a gym cart like a boat, Patil sat at the back and enacted moving the boat forward. Suryakumar stood in front and unveiled his hysterical dancing skills. The Indian batting maverick then referred to his social media manager, saying, 'Manager ne bola trend karneka, toh karneka #AuraFarming." Surya Kumar Yadav and Cutie Shreyanka Patel doing the viral trend — V I S H A L (@i_Vishal18) July 25, 2025 In June, Suryakumar underwent surgery for a sports hernia in Germany and entered a prolonged rehabilitation programme. 'Life Update: Underwent surgery for a sports hernia in the lower right abdomen. Grateful to share that after a smooth surgery, I'm already on the road to recovery. Can't wait to be back," he posted with a picture from the hospital, carrying a wry smile after a successful operation. The aggressive powerhitter was due to make a comeback to the field with the tour of Bangladesh in August, but the series of three T20Is and three ODIs got postponed to September 2026 after discussions between the BCCI and BCB amidst scheduling challenges and dwindling political relationship between the two countries. Before his surgery, Suryakumar reinforced his status as one of the world's finest T20 players with an incredible IPL season for the Mumbai Indians. The unorthodox right-hander was in scintillating form and amassed a massive 717 runs in 16 innings, maintaining a stellar average of 65.18 despite a strike rate of 167.91. Along the way, he bagged an amazing milestone to his name, becoming the player with the most consecutive 25+ scores in an IPL season. With the Asia Cup scheduled in September also in limbo, it remains to be seen when exactly Suryakumar will be back in action. Appointed India's T20I skipper last year, the Mumbaikar is staring at a potentially legacy-defining season headlined by the T20 World Cup in February-March 2026. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
Indian Men's Hockey Team To Tour Australia For Four-Match Series Next Month
As part of its preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup, the Indian men's hockey team will tour Australia for a friendly four-match series in Perth from August 15 to 21. The eighth-ranked Indian team will be playing the sixth-ranked hosts on August 15, 16, 19, and 21 at the same venue. The Asia Cup is due to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7. The continental showpiece offers a direct qualification spot for next year's FIH World Cup to the tournament winner. "This tour comes at a crucial time for us, just ahead of the Hero Asia Cup in Bihar. While these are technically friendly matches, they form a very important part of our preparation phase," India chief coach Craig Fulton said in a statement issued by Hockey India. "Playing against a team like Australia will test us in all aspects - both on the ball and off it - and that is exactly what we need to sharpen up before a major tournament," he added. Fulton said the side has completed a 10-day training block. "...the mood in the camp is upbeat as we are fully focused on what lies ahead. One of our key goals on this tour is to use the first two matches for selection purposes, while the remaining games will be played with the shortlisted squad for the Asia Cup," he said. "Our focus is firmly on moving forward -- the goal now is to prepare well and go to the Asia Cup with the intent to win it," he added. The two sides recently faced each other in the FIH Pro League in Europe, where Australia edged India 3–2 in both legs. India had scripted a 3–2 victory over the Kookaburras at last year's Paris Olympics -- their first Olympic win over Australia since the 1972 Munich Games. While recent encounters have been closely fought, Australia have historically held the edge in the rivalry, winning 35 of the 51 matches played between the two teams since 2013. India have won nine times, with seven matches ending in draws.
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
Pakistan need a style of cricket that can give more consistency in Asia Cup and World Cup, says head coach Mike Hesson
After the series loss to Bangladesh, Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson has emphasised the need to develop depth and competition for places ahead of a challenging six months which includes Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. Having started his coaching tenure with Pakistan with a whitewash of Bangladesh at home in June, they suffered a setback in Mirpur, where they lost the three-match series 1-2 with Hesson even criticising the standard of pitches being used. Post their T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy debacle, Pakistan have made attempts to overhaul their squad, which is now currently led by Salman Agha and has no place for the likes Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Even in the pace department there was no place for Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. For long, Pakistan have appeared to play brand of cricket which has been outdated in T20s with Hesson – a successful coach in T20 franchise cricket – brought in to steady the ship and give a new direction. With the team struggling for experience, Hesson before leaving for the trip to US where they face West Indies in three T20Is in Lauderhill said what he believed are key takeaways from the two series he has been in charge. Currently sitting 8th in the world we need to create depth and competition for places as well as play a style of cricket that can give us more consistency over time, especially at key event like Asia Cup and World Cups. First 6 games on two contrasting pitches gave us key… — Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) July 25, 2025 'First 6 games on two contrasting pitches gave us key insights. A young batting group shone with 200+ scores early. Mirpur which is the lowest scoring venue in T20I's certainly tested our adaptability and after struggling early we fought back and showed an ability to learn with experience,' Hesson posted on X (formerly Twitter). 'New players stepped up, showing promise and in some instances excelling. Specialist Coaches have played a key role in developing bowlers both here and at the NCA. Fielding was a huge step up in last two matches and were starting to look like an International fielding side,' Hesson who has coached teams in IPL, PSL wrote. With Pakistan now focussing on building a strong squad for the T20 World Cup which is only six months away, they face a tough challenge. Post the West Indies series, the Asia Cup to be played in September would be a massive test for Pakistan as apart from world champions India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka would also offer stern test. While they do have run of fixtures against South Africa to gain more experience and find the right combo, Hesson reckoned what is needed ahead of the T20 World Cup. 'Currently sitting 8th in the world we need to create depth and competition for places as well as play a style of cricket that can give us more consistency over time, especially at key event like Asia Cup and World Cups,' Hesson wrote.
