JPN vs CPV Match Update: Japan and Cape Verde will face each other in a crucial Group E match of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Saturday, September 2, at the Okinawa Arena. Both teams are aiming to advance to the second round of the tournament for the first time in their history.
Japan’s comeback win over Finland
Japan is coming off a stunning comeback win over Finland on Sunday, August 27, when they erased an 18-point deficit in the second half to win 98-88. It was Japan’s first ever victory against a European team in the FIBA World Cup and their first win in the tournament since 2006. Japan’s players and fans were left in tears after the historic achievement.
Japan was led by US-born Josh Hawkinson, who had 28 points and 19 rebounds, and Yuki Kawamura, who scored 15 points in the fourth quarter. Phoenix Suns’ Yuta Watanabe and NBA G League’s Yudai Baba also contributed with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Japan’s head coach Tom Hovasse said that the win was a big step for Japan’s basketball development.
Cape Verde’s impressive debut
Cape Verde is making its debut in the FIBA World Cup as the smallest nation ever to participate in the tournament. The island nation has a population of only about 550,000 people, but it has a strong basketball tradition and culture. Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup by beating Angola in the African qualifiers.
Cape Verde has already made an impact in the tournament by beating Venezuela, a team that finished fifth in the previous World Cup, by 81-75 on Monday, August 28. Cape Verde’s star player Walter Tavares, who plays for Real Madrid in Spain, had a dominant performance with 20 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks. Cape Verde also showed its depth and teamwork, with four other players scoring in double figures.
The stakes and the predictions
The match between Japan and Cape Verde will be decisive for both teams’ chances of advancing to the second round. Japan currently has a 1-1 record in Group E, while Cape Verde has a 1-2 record. The winner of the match will likely join Germany, who has already qualified with a 3-0 record, in the next stage of the tournament. The loser will be eliminated.
The match is expected to be a close and exciting one, as both teams have shown their resilience and determination in their previous games. Japan has the advantage of playing at home, with the support of their passionate fans. Cape Verde has the advantage of having Tavares, one of the best centers in the world, who can pose a big challenge for Japan’s defense.
The match will be broadcast live on YouTube by FIBA Media at 5:00 PM local time (8:00 AM GMT). Fans can also follow the live updates and statistics on FIBA’s official website.
