Maher encouraged by China's winning start

BAODING (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - China coach Tom Maher knows his team is in a race against time to get ready for the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT), which tips off 13 June in Nantes, France.

The Far East giants will be hoping to claim one of the five spots on offer for the Rio de Janeiro Games at the WOQT. The coach, who has been hugely successful in his career at the helm of other national teams like his native Australia, was encouraged by his Chinese side's performance against Venezuela in the first of their three friendly encounters.

China romped to a 74-49 triumph over the Vinotinto. Veteran center Chen Nan, who has been coaxed out of her international retirement with the possible reward an Olympic Games appearance, had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Chen, 33, played at the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

"This is our first game in 2016," Maher said to Shanghai Daily.

Usually the first game is very scrappy, but we did very well and played nice basketball today. - Maher

China will play in Group D of the WOQT against Venezuela, and Spain. If they claim a top-two finish, they can advance to Rio with a victory in their next game against Belarus, Nigeria or Korea. A loss in that game would leave them needing two more victories to progress to Brazil.

China had high hopes of qualifying for the Rio Olympics last year but they were soundly beaten in the Final of the 2016 FIBA Asia Women's Championship by Japan.

FIBA