FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup: Canada Women 62-66 Japan Women In a tense and tactical battle at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Japan edged out Canada 66-62 in a clash of contrasting styles. The final score was in doubt until the final seconds, with Japan's disciplined execution and clutch free-throw shooting ultimately proving the difference against Canada's physical interior play. The decisive moment came in the final minute, as Japan broke a 62-62 tie with a critical basket followed by defensive stops to secure the four-point win. The game was a defensive struggle from the outset, with both teams forcing difficult shots. Canada used their size advantage to control the boards and build a small lead in the second quarter. Japan responded with their trademark speed and perimeter shooting, executing a series of backdoor cuts and hitting timely threes to stay within touch. The third quarter was a seesaw affair, setting up a nail-biting final period. With the score tied in the last two minutes, Japan's guard penetrated and found an open teammate for a layup, and then their defense forced a Canadian turnover on the ensuing possession to seal the victory. A key focus was the battle between Canada's power game and Japan's finesse and spacing. Japan's ability to limit turnovers against Canada's aggressive defense was crucial. The standout performance came from Japan's veteran point guard, who controlled the tempo and hit the game's biggest shot. For Canada, their star center dominated the paint but lacked sufficient support from the perimeter on an off-shooting night. This result is pivotal for the Group Phase standings, giving Japan a crucial victory over a direct rival for advancement. For Canada, it's a setback that puts pressure on their remaining pool games, needing to bounce back quickly to keep their knockout stage hopes on track. Japan's head coach praised her team's resilience: "We knew it would be a physical game. Our players kept their focus and trusted our system until the very end." Canada's coach lamented missed opportunities: "We had our chances but didn't execute in the half-court when we needed to. Credit to Japan, they made the plays." The lineups featured the core players for both medal-contending nations, with Japan's collective precision narrowly overcoming Canada's individual talent.