The men were failures but China women win basketball gold in Asian Games thriller against Japan

Gold medalists China team pose for photographers after the award ceremony for the Women's basketball at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. China defeated Japan 74-72 in the final. - AP

HANGZHOU (AFP): China's women's basketball team made up for their men's shortcomings at the Asian Games on Thursday, retaining their title with a thrilling 74-72 win over Olympic silver-medallists Japan in Hangzhou.

China's men crashed out in the semi-finals with a last-gasp defeat to the Philippines 24 hours earlier, disappointing the basketball-obsessed home nation.