China's men's basketball team has endured a rough stretch in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, dropping two consecutive games that have left its tournament hopes hanging by a thread.
The first setback came on Monday in Foshan, where the squad fell 84‑77 to New Zealand despite leading 43‑39 at halftime; the Kiwis then pulled away after the break, outrebounding China 45‑29 and capitalising on 18 offensive boards.
Jordan Ngatai, the New Zealand forward, contributed 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and four steals, and later reflected on the team's preparation before the match.
Just days later, the Chinese side suffered an 83‑78 defeat to Uruguay, a loss that was marred by contentious officiating that many felt favoured the home side.
Two days after that, China was routed by a South American opponent, losing by 19 points, underscoring the gaps that need urgent attention.
Upcoming challenges
With only ten days before the next round of fixtures, the team will travel to Doha to face Qatar, and then return to China for a home game against Lebanon in Zhuji on August 31.
The compressed schedule leaves little room for recovery, forcing coaches and players to regroup quickly if they hope to stay alive in the qualifiers.