The New Zealand women's basketball team's target of winning four of its six games on a European tour is under threat.
The Tall Ferns were beaten 71-67 by Japan in Valencia, Spain.
New Zealand had targeted Japan - one spot ahead of the Tall Ferns in world rankings
- as beatable. But the Japanese held their composure and stretched the New Zealanders.
"We are so close to getting over that hump," said coach Mike McHugh. "This was not a disaster; we did a lot of very good things and, at times, played exceptionally well, but we have to get consistency."
With just one win in the first three games, New Zealand needs to win the next three to meet the target set before the tour. Their next opponents are Angola, whom they defeated in their tour opener and then two outings against the Czech Republic, ranked ninth in the world.
- AGENCIES
