WUHAN, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Already assured of a place at the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup, China will look to finish its qualifying campaign on a high against Brazil on Tuesday.
With qualification already secured, China is still targeting a victory to improve its position in the World Cup draw, which is based on the world rankings.
"The qualifying tournament is not over yet. For the Brazil match, our main goal remains the same, to come through in the end and secure a favorable position for the World Cup draw," veteran guard Wang Siyu said after Monday's training session.
Wang said the qualifier against Belgium had been particularly valuable, giving the team a clearer understanding of how to play together and highlighting areas for improvement.
One of the most experienced players on China's roster, Wang has delivered at key moments throughout the tournament. In Sunday's game against the Czech Republic, she scored six straight points to help China withstand a late rally.
"My goal has always been to step up when it matters, to fight, and to win," she said.
"These qualifying matches are extremely valuable for our team's development, and young players need to experience close contests like these to gain precious experience as they grow," she added.
Chen Yujie, appearing in her first major international tournament scored 14 points and nine points respectively in the last two games.
"I was a little nervous when I first stepped onto the court, but my coaches and teammates gave me confidence and guidance on how to adjust. In the last two games, I felt more relaxed," Chen said.
"As for the final qualifier, we just want to enjoy it and deliver a perfect end to this campaign," she added.
The 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup will be held in Berlin from September 4 to 13, with 16 teams taking part. ■
