AMMAN, April 4 (Xinhua) -- China, which finished third in the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup, is looking forward to a flying start in the 2018 edition of the tournament.
"We must win our opener against Thailand," said Zhao Lina, the goalkeeper who quit two months ago but finally rejoined the national team, on Wednesday.
The tournament will run from April 6 to 20 in Amman.
The Chinese team held pre-tournament training in Amman International Stadium, the main stadium for the event, late in the afternoon on Wednesday.
"I come back because the team needs me," said the 27-year-old goalkeeper who in February announced her retirement from international football for personal reasons via her social media account.
Zhao insisted that the most important thing is unity, no matter she will be the first choice or not, adding that she was doing her best in training and struggled to recover as soon as possible.
Another team player, Gu Yasha, said that the Chinese team should not underestimate the power of Thailandand must be careful of the counter attack from their opponents.
The experienced midfielder left the team for a long time, focusing on her own studies at school. She decided to return after the national team coaching staffs persuaded her for several times.
"For me, the priority is to help my teammates in such a big event," said Gu, adding that the team should embrace pressure as a motivator and stick to their own way of football.
China will face Thailand, Phillipines and host Jordan in Group A while Japan, Australia, South Korea and Vietnam stay in Group B.
The top five will win the tickets to 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
China, as the most successful side in the history of the AFC Women's Asian Cup with a record eight trophies to their name, whitewashed Thailand 7-0 in the previous tournament held in Vietnam in 2014.
