Sun Wen says she is ready for comeback at any time

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Sun Wen says she is ready for comeback at any time

China's former national women's soccer team captain Sun Wen said on Tuesday that she is ready to come back if being called up.

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China's former national women's soccer team captain Sun Wen said on Tuesday that she is ready to come back if being called up.

"Our national team is badly depleted by the retirement of veteran players. If the team still needs my service, I will put my collegiate study aside and come back at any time," said the 30- year-old Sun.

Sun declared her retirement following China's devastating 1-0 quarter-final loss to Canada in last month's World Cup in Japan.

"I was emotionally gripped by that loss and really wanted to play no more at that time", Sun said of her retirement. "But I was forced to change my mind as China is seeking a berth for the 2004 Olympic Games."

After the World Cup, Sun went to prestigious Shanghai-based Fudan University, where she majors in international relations.

Following Sun's retirement, China's veteran striker Bai Jie and defender Wang Liping decided to quit. And 31-year-old midfielder Zhao Lihong and central defender Fan Yunjie are also considering to retire.

The retirement of so many back-bone players has left China in a dire strait as the Olympic qualifiers are scheduled for next May in Japan, said Zhang Jianqiang, director of women's football department of China's Football Association.

"China is no longer Asia's number one and there is only one berth up for grabs there. It will be very hard for us," Zhang said.

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