he said.Itll be dependent on how he starts the s

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Japanese arrived in Rio beaming with confidence and a very simple goal: Win the countrys first Olympic medal in womens basketball.That hasnt changed. Not even facing the daunting task of having to pull off one of the greatest Olympic upsets ever and beat the U.S. womens team to keep that dream alive.Outside of our team, nobody believes we can do that, but we still believe we can, Japan assistant coach Tom Hovasse said. If we play our basketball, were a tough out. If were shooting like we are ... were a tough team to beat.The Japanese were banned by FIBA in November 2014 for allowing two basketball leagues to operate in the country, a violation of the world governing bodys statutes. But they rebounded and played their way into their first Olympics since 2004 and fourth overall as the FIBA Asian champs in 2015. So they arent backing down from any challenge.Everybody, all the reporters and everybodys watching, theyre probably surprised at what Japan has done, 5-foot-9 forward Mika Kurihara said with Hovasse translating. Were not. ... We want to do more, and thats the feeling I think for everybody.The team, filled with speedy shooters unafraid to drive into the lane, already has matched its three victories in 1996 in Atlanta for the most wins in any games. And they even and have a win against the U.S. -- in the 1976 Olympics. It was one of the rare losses for the Americans, who are 63-3 all-time in the Olympics, have won 46 straight and looking for a sixth consecutive gold medal.The Japanese, however, nearly stunned the worlds No. 2 team during group play, jumping out to a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter over Australia on Aug. 11. But their legs gave out, and it took 37 points from Liz Cambage to help the Opals pull out the win.I hate playing Japan, Cambage said. I respect the girls. What they lack in height, they make up for in speed and quicks.Japans top player, Ramu Tokashiki, plays on WNBA Seattle Storm where she is teammate of Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart.Geno Auriemma has been impressed with how Japan has competed.I dont think theres another team in the world that plays the way they do, the U.S. coach said. Play as quickly as they do, as crisp together as they play and do as many things as Japan does, I think they are unique in the world in that respect.China coach Thomas Maher has seen more than enough of Japan not to be surprised at how the Asian nation is playing in these games. The Australian native said Japan sticks to its defensive plan and uses its speed to move the ball well offensively.Well, nobodys going to match USA, lets face it, Maher said. But you know I think Japan have been great for a couple of years now. Theyre a great team. They play great basketball.---Online:AP Summer Games website: http://summergames.ap.org/ http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Mike-Hull-Jersey/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Kenyan-Drake-Jersey/ . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Stephone-Anthony-Jersey/ . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Michael-Thomas-Jersey/ . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Brandon-Doughty-Jersey/ . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Newly appointed NSW adviser Peter Sterling believes the Blues next generation isnt far from State of Origin success.Two weeks after being introduced as coach Laurie Daleys right-hand man, Sterling tipped heralded Trbojevic brothers Tom and Jake as possible inclusions in 2017.Were not far from the mark. We have the right players, Ive got no doubt about that, Sterling said as part of a Blues call to arms on Monday.We used 22 last season and of that, only Paul Gallen and Greg Bird are unavailable. The Trbojevic brothers and Bryce Cartwright were a part of the game three as shadow players.Brett Morris didnt player last year, weve got Shannon Boyd and Trent Merrin who did some great stuff for the Kangaroos, and therell be others outside of that. The players are there.I just think a couple of little areas need to be addressed and success is not far away.Eight rookies made their Origin debut under Daley in this years losing series against Queensland, including game three winners Matt Moylan, James Tedesco and Tyson Frizell.Sterling praised Daley for slowly bringing them into Origin but predicted now is the time for the states rising stars to make their mark against the Maroons.Were seeing a transitional change, no doubt, he saaid.ddddddddddddThese players are better prepared for Origin than theyve ever been and its been because of what Lauries done over his tenure and also in the years before that.Theyve not been thrown to the wolves. Theyre coming in at the right time, erring on the right side of caution, so that we dont burn players. I think weve been guilty of doing that in the past.The former Blues halfback re-iterated his support of axed playmaker Mitchell Pearce, who wasnt considered for this years series after a controversial suspension for off-field dramas.Sterling said Pearces experience alone made him a contender for a recall.We know hes had some problems but when it comes to what he can do on a football field, theres never been any question about that, he said.Itll be dependent on how he starts the season, where his headspace is, how well hes playing.But when it comes to the number sevens, hes right up there with the very best of them. Hes obviously had plenty of experience now, thatll put him in very strong contention.The Blues are next week expected to name their emerging squad for a camp in January. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '