Fiba World Cup: China miss out on Olympic qualification spot after falling flat on home soil
- Chairman Yao Ming says he will take full responsibility
- China finish with two wins and fall behind Iran on point difference
Despite home advantage and strong backing from the fans, China managed only two wins at the 2019 World Cup, finishing behind Asian counterparts Iran in the 17-32 classification round. Iran, who also finish with two wins, became Asia’s top team with a better points difference than the hosts, although no Asian team made it to the round of 16.
China’s men’s basketball team has always enjoyed a strong domestic following, especially with popular former NBA stalwart Yao Ming as chairman of its governing body.
But Yao had to apologise after their 86-73 defeat by Nigeria on Sunday when they ended their campaign in Guangzhou as Iran beat Philippines 95-75 in Beijing.
“The fans had high expectations at the World Cup but we failed to achieve the target,” Yao said. “It is me who disappointed the fans.
"This [World Cup] is a window for us to look out at the world. The gap between China and the world leading basketball countries has grown since 2016. But we have the determination to keep our programme of reforms in, among others, the professional league, youth academy and sports education.”
