Zhang Ouying to start in China vs Australia game

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, September 25, 2003

Zhang Ouying to start in China vs Australia game

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Zhang Ouying, who plays for US club San Diego Spirit, will start on the right of the midfield for China in their World Cup Group D game against Australia at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, on Thursday.

The 28-year-old, who failed to play in China's first group D match, became the beneficiary from fellow midfielder Pan Lina's withdrawal from the event due to a knee injury.

But the 80-capped Zhang, who was kept on the bench by China head coach Ma Liangxing as a secret weapon, will have to make immediate impact on the pitch to silence critics, who have argued that she is not clever enough and cannot contribute a lot for the Steel Roses.

Zhang, who has scored 20 goals for her country, came short of confirming her starting status after Wednesday afternoon's training session. "Everything will be decided by the head coach," she said. "I will do whatever the head coach asks me to do."

Bai Jie, who made the crucial cross for Sun Wen for the winning goal in the Ghana game, will play alongside Sun again up front.

The versatile Bai played as a left-back in the first half of last game, but was moved up front as a striker in the second.

Youngster Han Duan's World Cup dream was ended for failing to reward Ma's trust. The 20-year-old was just nowhere in the last game and brought off in the 58th minute. She will be mercilessly left out of the starting lineup.

Following is the likely lineup for Thursday's game:

Goalkeeper: Zhao Yan

Defenders: Wang Liping, Li Jie, Fan Yunjie, Liu Yali

Midfielders: Zhang Ouying, Pu Wei, Liu Ying, Zhao Lihong

Forwards: Bai Jie, Sun Wen.

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