Chinese footballer Chen Qiaozhu speaks to reporters during a training session in Adelaide, Australia on July 11, 2023. (Xinhua)
With less than 10 days to go before the FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off, Chinese defender Chen Qiaozhu hopes to hit her best form in time for the competition.
ADELAIDE, Australia, July 11 (Xinhua) -- China defender Chen Qiaozhu said here on Tuesday that she hoped to reach top form through warm-up matches before the FIFA Women's World Cup kicks off next week.
On a sunny and warm afternoon, the Chinese team continued their training in Ellis Park in Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia.
The Chinese team, which reached the round of 16 at the 2019 World Cup, will fly to Gold Coast on Wednesday for a warm-up match against Brazil, which is currently ranked eighth in the world, six places higher than China.
Chen Qiaozhu (R) of China vies with Asun Martinez of Spain during the women's international friendly between Spain and China at Estadi Can Misses stadium in Ibiza, Spain, on April 11, 2023. (Photo by Meng Dingbo/Xinhua)
Chen, who is set to make her World Cup debut, told Xinhua that it was her childhood dream come true.
"In my memory, it is a very, very big competition. I never thought I can one day compete in it when I started playing football as a little girl," the 23-year-old said after Tuesday's training session.
"I feel honored to be included in the final roster for the World Cup. I'll try to play in a steady form and improve."
Usually playing as a left back, Chen, along with teammates Wang Linlin and Dou Jiaxing, who were both born after 2000, have become the backbone of the defence.
"Actually we were teammates in both U-17 and U-19 squads. We have paired with each other in different positions. I think that kind of chemistry still exists."
Talking about the warm-up matches against Brazil on Thursday and Colombia next Monday, Chen said she wanted to go all out to hit the right form for the World Cup.
"I want to find the right shape as the tournament is very close now. I will try to be in the best form at the right time," she said.
The 2023 World Cup will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 through 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.
China are in Group D alongside England, Denmark and Haiti. ■