STORY: FIFA Women's World Cup a dream stage, says Chinese midfielder Wu
DATELINE: July 10, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:35
LOCATION: ADELAIDE, Australia
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Chinese national team in training
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WU CHENGSHU, Chinese footballer

STORYLINE:

Chinese footballer Wu Chengshu said Sunday that she believes her experience in the Australian league last season will help her adequately prepare for the FIFA Women's World Cup commencing this month.
   
The Chinese national football team, having arrived in South Australia (SA) just a day prior, continued their training in Adelaide, SA's capital city.
   
Wu, who finished her first overseas season in Australia's top-division league earlier this year, participated in 10 matches since she joined Canberra United last November.
   
During her five-month tenure at the Australian capital club, the 26-year-old evolved into a regular starter, playing in various positions including defensive midfielder, second striker, and winger. She scored two goals.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WU CHENGSHU, Chinese footballer
"The World Cup is the pinnacle of football. It's also a tremendous platform to showcase our abilities to the world. For me, I will strive to seize the opportunity to play and leverage my technical strengths. Hopefully, our team can triumph."

The 2023 World Cup will be hosted in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.
   
Only the top two teams from the eight groups will progress to the round of 16, as this is the inaugural instance of the women's football's premier tournament expanding to a 32-team format.
   
China was eliminated in the round of 16 at the 2019 World Cup in France.
   
"This time, we're certainly aiming to set our sights higher as it fuels our motivation," head coach Shui Qingxia stated earlier this week before departing for Adelaide.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Adelaide, Australia.
(XHTV)