The Chinese team has vowed to show their best form and get ready for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup.
The Chinese team, who reached
Wang Shuang of China attends a training session at the Croatian Sports Centre in Adelaide, south Australia, July 18, 2023. Croatian Sports Centre is functioned as Team China's Team Base Camp for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
On a cold winter afternoon at Croatian Sports Centre, head coach Shui Qingxia's side surprisingly opened the whole two-hour training session to media and local fans.
China, having secured the Asian Cup title last year, is placed in Group D alongside England, Denmark and Haiti.
Wang Linlin, the former captain of the U-19 team, has gradually become the backbone in central defense for the senior national team in recent years.
Although this is her first World Cup, the-22-year-old defender said the young generation like her and teammate Dou Jiaxing, who was also born in 2000, actually are not nervous at all for playing in the tournament.
"Instead, I feel very excited as the competition is coming soon. I look forward to stepping onto the pitch and showing my best," said Wang.
Talking about the European teams' physical advantage, Wang said the coaching staff had been doing various tactical drills for the first game against Denmark, and the players themselves had also analyzed the opponents' tactical aspects.
"In fact, there will be definitely difficulties, but I think everyone will play their best," said Wang.
Gao Chen, who can play as a fullback and defensive midfielder, said she finally came to her dream stage at the age of 30, after being part of the Chinese team who won the AFC 2022 Asian Cup.
"It is my first time to participate in the World Cup, so I am very excited," said Gao.
"Playing in the World Cup is a dream for every football player, and it is also my dream. I really enjoy this journey."
Gao said the European teams might continue their strategy, including high-pressing to make the opponents lose the ball control, which had been expected by her teammates.
"The defensive pressure is actually quite high, not only for the defenders, but also for the midfield," she said.
"But the Chinese team plays as a whole. We defend together and attack together. I think it will be fine."
The 2023 World Cup will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
Only the top two teams from the eight groups will progress to the round of 16, as this is the inaugural instance of the women's football's premier tournament expanding to a 32-team format.
