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China's women hockey eye at least top six finish in Rio

Xinhua, May 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Chinese women's hockey, runners-up at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, have set a top six finish as their minimum goal at the forthcoming 2016 Olympics in Rio.

"Of course every team wants to win a medal at the Olympic Games. But our team is mainly made up of young and inexperienced players who have never competed in the Olympics before, we hope to reach at least top six in Rio," said Lei Jun, vice president of the Chinese Hockey Association, on Tuesday.

"For now our squad includes 21 players with an average age of 24-year-old. Three of them competed in the Beijing Games in 2008 and six in the London Olympics four years ago," Lei said. "The team list will be cut to 16 plus two substitutes before the June 25 deadline to submit the Olympic squad."

After conceding 2-0 to the Netherlands in the Olympic final in 2008, the Chinese women's hockey team, known as the "Snow Lotus" , finished sixth in London in 2012.

"Our team is still on the rise. Maybe they will reach the peak in 2020 but right now we just need to try the best in Rio," said Lei.

Cho Myungjun, coach of the "Snow Lotus" , is apparently more ambitious when predicting the team's performance at the Olympics in August.

"My goal is to reach the semifinals and maybe fight for a medal," said the 45-year-old South Korean. "I know it will be difficult for us to achieve the goal. But the team is in a very good form and without any injury problems right now."

Cho's optimism is echoed by the 30-year-old veteran Li Hongxia, who will be competing in her third consecutive Olympic Games in Rio.

"Counter-attacking is the traditional strategy for our team, which needs to be supported by a high level of stamina. With a lot of young players joining the team, stamina will not be the bottleneck for us," said the seasoned Li.

A total of 12 teams will be taking part in the women's hockey tournament at the Rio Olympic Games. China is pooled with the Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, South Korea and Spain in Group A and the top four finishers in each group will advance to the quarterfinals. Endit