AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands (2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women): Having already locked their place on the Group B Prelim Round round robin, Japan coach Shinichiro Hayashi chose to give his otherwise bench players a chance to start the final league engagement against Australia.

Japan lost 66-100 in a result that was of mere academic interest.

Risa Miki (pic above) was the highest scorer for Japan with 10 points with all her teammates figuring in the scorers’ list.

Japan take on 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women Belgium semifinalists, in the quarterfinals on Friday. A win will put the reigning FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Women winners in the semifinals for a game against the winners of the quarterfinal between Italy and Spain.

Meanwhile the other FIBA Asia team in the competition Korea finished their Group A Prelim Round engagements losing 61-74 to Canada.

Kim Heejin’s 18 points was the highest for Korea.

Korea, who lost to Japan in the gold medal game at the 2nd FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Women at Jinan (China) last year, will now play in the 9-12 Classification with their first game against Turkey on Friday.

FIBA Asia