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China needs a draw to reach quarterfinals

PORTLAND (Oregon) SEPT. 27. China, the 1999 Women's World Cup runner-up, has struggled at this year's tournament, but the Chinese need only a draw on Sunday in their final Group D match against Russia to earn a spot in the quarterfinals.

Russia, which won its first two matches, has already clinched a berth in the next round.

China, however, was held to a 1-1 draw on Thursday against Australia, giving the Aussies a chance to advance if they can beat winless Ghana and China loses. It would then come down to goal difference.

China coach Ma Liangxiang has said that this year's team is not as good as the one that lost the 1999 World Cup final to the United States on penalty kicks. But the players are ready for another run at the title.

``Every game is a hard game, but I have to be focused on how I will individually perform against Russia,'' China midfielder Zhang Ouying said.

Russia, which beat Ghana 3-0 on Thursday, will not be taking China lightly, especially with the second-place team from Group C up next for the Group D winner.

``We have a lot of respect for China,'' Russia coach Yuri Bystritsky said. ``They have more experience, more skill, and a better choice of players, but we are not going to back down.

``We are going to play with full force because a coming out of our pool first would mean that we would not have to play a harder team, like Germany, in the next round.''

Australia's chances of advancing are slim, but the Aussies would like to win their first World Cup match in three appearances when they face African runner-up Ghana.

Either way, Australia coach Adrian Santrac was happy with Thursday's draw against fourth-ranked China.

``For our team, it has been quite an experience,'' said Santrac, whose team is ranked 15th by FIFA.

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