Adelaide, Australia, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Xiao Yuyi, a Chinese female football player who is training with the team in Adelaide, said in an exclusive interview with a Xinhua reporter on the 10th that she hopes to get the opportunity to play in the World Cup, which opens in 10 days, and do her best to contribute to the national team.
Chinese player Wang Shuang (second from left) during training on July 10. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Xie Sida)
In the afternoon, although it was cloudy in Adelaide, the temperature rose to about 15 degrees Celsius, which was more suitable for training than the rainy day on the 9th.
Wang Shuang, who plays for the Louisville Athletic Women's Football Club in the United States, arrived at the team's hotel on the morning of the 10th, and came to the training ground with everyone in the afternoon, participated in the team's warm-up, and did recovery training on the sidelines. Considering Wang Shuang's long-distance travel and time difference, the team did not let her participate in the team's joint training for the time being. So far, all 23 members of the Chinese women's football team who participated in the World Cup have arrived.
Between training, Xiao Yuyi, who is good at playing fullbacks and forwards, was interviewed by reporters. Last season, Siu Yuyi played for Adelaide United in the Australian Premier League for a while.
On July 10, Xiao Yuyi was interviewed between training. Video screenshots
"I think I'm still familiar with the city, and the biggest change is the weather, because from summer to winter, the temperature changes quite a lot." Xiao Yuyi said, "After two days of adjustment training, I now feel that my physical condition is okay. ”
This is the 27-year-old Xiao Yuyi's first World Cup in her career. In the final of the Asian Cup in February last year, Xiao Yuyi took the captain Wang Shanshan Miaochuan and completed a "kill" blow, helping the Chinese women's football team defeat South Korea 3-2 and return to the top of Asia.
Speaking about the World Cup, Xiao Yuyi said that it is of great significance to every female football player.
Chinese players Wang Shuang (right) and Wu Haiyan during training on July 10. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Xie Sida)
"Because I think it's an international competition at the highest level, and it's also my dream since I was a child, a stage to show myself. I want to play more and then do my best to help the team and contribute. Xiao Yuyi said.
The 2023 Women's World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20. For the first time since the expansion of the World Cup, 32 teams will participate. The top two from each of the eight groups advanced to the round of 16. The Chinese women's football team is drawn in Group D with England, Haiti and Denmark.