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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/ Damien Williams Super Bowl Jersey Armani Watts Super Bowl Jersey . Cote was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 15. Cote helped running back Jon Cornish run for a league-high 1,813 rushing yards en route to being named the leagues most outstanding player. http://www.thechiefsshoponline.com/Youth-Breeland-Speaks-Chiefs-Jersey/ .C. Lions has come to an end. Banks told TSN on Jan 2 that he had no interest in playing out the option year of his contract with the Lions in 2014, and he again made that clear in a conversation with Lions GM Wally Buono last week. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Super Bowl Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Chiefs Super Bowl Jerseys .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. CINCINNATI -- Anthony Rizzo hit his first inside-the-park homer on Wednesday, providing another weird moment to the Chicago Cubs series against the Cincinnati Reds.With two runners aboard in the first inning, Rizzo hit a fly toward the gap. Left fielder Adam Duvall cut in front of center fielder Billy Hamilton but couldnt make the catch, and the ball deflected off Hamiltons cheek as Rizzo circled the bases.It was the Cubs first inside-the-park homer since Tony Campanas off CCincinnatis Mike Leake on Aug.dddddddddddd 5, 2011. The homer extended Rizzos hitting streak to 10 games. Hamilton was examined on the field and left the game to get tested for a concussion.The Cubs beat the Reds 7-2 in 15 i