Asian Champions China Excessive On Confidence Forward Of Girls’s World Cup
File picture taken on Feb. 6, 2022 reveals members of China have a good time throughout the awarding ceremony after … [+]
After gaining confidence by profitable the Asian Cup final 12 months, China desires of lifting the trophy on the Girls’s World Cup below coach Shui Qingxia.
China received its first title in 16 years when the group beat South Korea within the Asian Cup closing in 2022. The group will play at its eighth World Cup this 12 months, with Shui’s aspect in Group D with England, Denmark and Haiti.
“In fact, now we have an extended strategy to go, however undoubtedly, we will permit ourselves to dream of profitable the World Cup,” Shui stated, in keeping with an interview with FIFA. “There’s a glimmer of hope in that thought, and if we may do this, it will be the most effective issues ever!
“Nevertheless, we’re taking issues one step at a time, and I hope that all through this World Cup, we will measure the progress made by our group in opposition to nations from Europe and be sure that we shut the hole to these sturdy nations.”
China got here near profitable the title on the 1999 World Cup, the place the group completed runners-up behind the US after dropping 5-4 on penalties within the closing.
Shui stated the group has quite a bit to enhance, and gamers will attempt to put their greatest foot ahead on the event, which shall be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
“We’ve gained numerous confidence from profitable the Asian Cup final 12 months, and I need us to specific that on an even bigger stage and present the type of this Chinese language group,” the 56-year-old stated.
“Naturally, any nation that qualifies for the World Cup is a troublesome opponent, however with England having received the European Championships, they are going to be very tough. Denmark is one other sturdy European nation that didn’t lose a single match in qualification, and though Haiti is considerably unknown to us, so is China to them.”
World Cup Expertise
QINGDAO, CHINA – JULY 12: Head coach Shui Qingxia of China Girls’s Nationwide Soccer Staff attends a … [+]
Shui boasts World Cup expertise, having performed on the maiden version in 1991. She can be the primary former Chinese language feminine footballer to be made the nationwide group coach.
“After I assume again to that first World Cup, it was a really thrilling time, though very totally different,” Shui stated. “Now, as a coach, it’s a fantastic problem as effectively, although time has flown by.
“The sport has additionally modified quite a bit the place now we will see ladies’s soccer is rising so quick, extra ladies are taking part in soccer, and that’s an excellent factor.
“Soccer has given me quite a bit, and I hope that younger folks proceed to benefit from the sport and that, by way of this World Cup, our gamers may expertise the enjoyment of it as I did as a participant.”
Good Mix
Algeciras , Spain – 22 February 2023; Wang Shanshan of China PR in motion in opposition to Denise O’Sullivan … [+]
Shui named her closing squad on Thursday, together with 9 gamers with World Cup expertise, reminiscent of captain Wang Shanshan and striker Wang Shuang.
Veterans Zhang Rui and Wu Haiyan are additionally within the squad, together with Tang Jiali, who was nominated for the Finest Younger Participant award in 2015. Fourteen gamers shall be taking part in at their first World Cup, together with teenage Celtic star Shen Mengyu.
China’s World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Zhu Yu, Xu Huan, Pan Hongyan
Defenders: Wu Haiyan, Yao Wei, Wang Linlin, Gao Chen, Chen Qiaozhu, Li Mengwen, Dou Jiaxing
Midfielders: Zhang Rui, Yao Lingwei, Gu Yasha, Zhang Xin, Yang Lina, Wu Chengshu, Zhang Linyan, Shen Mengyu
Forwards: Wang Shanshan, Wang Shuang, Tang Jiali, Xiao Yuyi, Lou Jiahui
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