Chinese coach poised ahead of World Cup opener

Chinese head coach Hao Wei is ready and confident to meet the challenge from Canada although a home crowd of 55,000 could boost the hosts' morale in the FIFA Women's World Cup opener on Saturday.

"The players are preparing very well. We hope it will be a good match. We are ready," said Hao Wei in a pre-match press conference on Friday.

The sold-out Commonwealth Stadium will very likely create an overwhelming atmosphere against the Chinese side, but Hao disagreed.

"More spectators means more encouragements to my players to show themselves," he said.

However, Canada coach John Herdman looked more confident and said the only target of his side is to get three points.

"As the host side, you need three points in the first game to kick off the tournament. We know every players well and they can do excite the Canadian fans. We are together ready for everything Chinese team can bring to us," said Herdamn in an earlier session.

The Canadian head coach also hinted that two of his injured players, Rhian Wilkinson and Diana Matheson, have returned to action and their chance to play could be a guessing game for the Chinese team.

But Hao Wei didn't seem bothered by these messages. "It doesn't matter that which player they will select to get onto the pitch," he said.

The pair met twice in January with Canada prevailing by a single goal on both occasions. While Canada are stealing the headlines in Edmonton these days, the match also marks the return of 1999 finalists China, who unexpectedly missed the World Cup for the first time four years ago.

Grouped with Canada, New Zealand and Netherlands, China need to clinch the top-two berth to enter the last-16 round as their aim in Canada is to reach as far as possible, according to Hao Wei.

The statistics show Canada have more chance to win as the host nation has won three of the four times they have played in the opening match in the past editions.

But anything can happen in football. The visitors believed they can beat the stats. "We have the confidence and ability to progress from this group," said Hao.

All of Chinese players have never competed in this biggest stage of women's football before. The average age of the team is only 23.5, which lists them as one of the youngest teams here.

"There are 24 hours left. In psychological aspect, we are gradually stepping into form. We will devote every effort to play in the match," said Chinese captain Wu Haiyan. Endi