Previewing the Opals' opponents for FIBA Women's Asia Cup

With the event just a fortnight away, we take a look at the teams waiting for Australia in Group B.

Credit: FIBA

While the all-important group game against Japan takes place on June 28, the Opals will face two other determined teams in the group stage as they try to claim their first ever Women’s Asia Cup title on home soil in Sydney.

Here’s our guide to their group opponents.

Japan

(FIBA ranking 9, Asia ranking 3)

At last year’s Women’s World Cup, Japan went down 71-54 to a full-strength Australia and ultimately finished out of the medals. A very different looking Opals team led by players like Ezi Magbegor, Marianna Tolo, Steph Talbot and Kristy Wallace, stifled Japan on the defensive end and their offence struggled to generate clean looks as the game went on.