Zhang Haitao appointed as coach of Chinese women's national soccer team

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 15, 2003

Zhang Haitao appointed as coach of Chinese women's national soccer team

Zhang Haitao has been appointed as the new coach of Chinese women's national soccer team, Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced in east China's Yiwu on Sunday.

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Zhang Haitao appointed as coach of Chinese women's national soccer team

Zhang Haitao has been appointed as the new coach of Chinese women's national soccer team, Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced in east China's Yiwu on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Zhang, former coach of men's first division club Shandong Luneng, took over the job as his predecessor Ma Liangxing's contract with CFA expired after the World Cup tournament last October.

"My primary task now is to win a berth for the Athens Olympics finals, that is what I have to accomplish. Then we'll prepare for the 2007 World Cup and 2008 Olympics," he said.

The Asian Olympic qualifiers will kick off on April 15 in Japan with two berths up for grabs. A field of 14 teams will be there.

Zhang said China, who lost to Canada 1-0 in the World Cup quarter-finals, can become a formidable force again if they work hard. "There exists a gap between China and the world's best teams, such as Germany and Sweden. But we can narrow and bridge it with hard work," he added.

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