Sun Wen fit for Australia game

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 24, 2003

Sun Wen fit for Australia game

China skipper Sun Wen said Tuesday in Los Angeles that she will be fit enough to play in Thursday's World Cup Group D game against Australia.

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China skipper Sun Wen said Tuesday in Los Angeles that she will be fit enough to play in Thursday's World Cup Group D game against Australia.

Sun, who had her right knee heavily bandaged with ice on Monday, said: "I feel OK now. It will not affect Thursday's play."

But the 30-year-old, who has played all four World Cups for China since 1991, had just some light training on Monday and also sat out Tuesday's training.

China head coach Ma Liangxing was also confident that Sun, one of the world's finest players, will play as well as she did in their first group match last Sunday when Sun scored the lone goal to beat Ghana.

"To tell you the truth, Sun Wen's injury is not a concern for me. I am more worried about Pan Lina," Ma said.

He said Pan, who was stretched off the pitch in Ghana's game, will have a surgery on her left knee and take three to eight weeks to recover.

Sun said Pan's early departure from the World Cup will not deplete China's strength but really cast a shadow over all the players.

Fortunately, Sun said that Australia will not be strong enough to pose serious threat to the Steel Roses.

"We knew enough from the two friendlies in August. We won 2-0 on both occasions. I don't think they can change enough during such a short time.

"They may play more aggressively since this is a must-win game for them. But we will attack more and there should be no problem to get a win," Sun said.

Sunday's goal was Sun's 106th in her career and 11th in World Cup play. She need only one more to beat the World Cup record on Thursday.

"I never think of breaking the record," she said. "As a striker, I only want to score goals when chances come."

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