MEDAN (2015 FIBA Asia U16 Women's Championship) - Tatsui Isshiki knows more than the 'one-or-two-things' about Japanese women's basketball, especially in the youth competitions at the Asian level.

Isshiki, who made his name as the coach of the gold winning team at the 2008 FIBA Asia U18 Women's Championship at the very same venue, announced his return to Medan helping Japan to a 108-43 win over Thailand to tip off the 2015 FIBA Asia U16 Women's Championship titlists campaign in style.

FIBA.com caught up with the 54-year-old after the win.

FIBA.com: How do you assess today's performance?
Tatsui Isshiki: It was a pretty good game, this was our first game but the performance will improve as the tournament advances.

FIBA.com: Things didn't look easy at the beginning, mainly in the first two quarters, what did you change at half-time?
Isshiki: Actually, I didn't change anything. The players struggled to make three pointers in the first two quarters mainly because they were nervous, after all this was their first outing.

FIBA.com: During the pre-tournament training camps, you stressed on the issue of defense, were you satisfied the team defense today?
Isshiki: No, not much. We must play defense better because we will be facing much tougher opponents.

FIBA.com: What do you think are the chances for your team to win your second gold medal in this event?
Isshiki: Of course we can achieve that.

FIBA