The Copper Queens will this morning return to action when they face off with the Republic of China at 10:00hrs in their second match of the Women’s Olympic tournament.
China is coming from a 5-0 bashing at the hands of Brazil and is looking to get back to winning ways but they face a tricky Zambia Women’s national team side that suffered humiliation at the hands of Netherlands and is eager to win.
Defender Wu Haiyan and midfielder Wang Yan are currently injured and might not be able to feature for coach Jia Xiuquan’s team.
31-year old forward Wang Shanshan will lead the attack as captain of the People’s Republic of China alongside Yang Man.
Peng Shimeng is expected to start in goal with Luo Guiping, Wang Xiaoxue, Li Qingtong, and Li Mengwen likely to make up the back four.
China PR Women were effectively toothless against Brazil’s formidable squad. The Chinese have been drafted into this difficult group and will want to secure all three points in this fixture came as the Copper Queens.
Manager Xiuquan has been in charge of China since 2018 but only managed a last-16 finish in the 2019 France World Cup, their earliest exit from the World Cup in their seven appearances.
Former Paris Saint-Germain Féminine midfielder Wang Shuang is expected to orchestrate their moves from the middle of the park.
Zambia and the Steel Roses will battle for maximum points at 10:00hrs (17:00 in Tokyo) at the Miyagi Stadium.
China Probable line-up: 12-Peng Shimeng; 17-Luo Guiping, 16-Wang Xiaoxue, 4-Li Qingtong, 2-Li Mengwen; 8-Wang Yan, 13-Yang Lina; 15-Yang Man, 7-Wang Shuang, 6-Zhang Xin; 11-Wang Shanshan ©.
