Women's Oympics Qualifiers - Team Profile: China

FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 17th
AFC Women’s Ranking: 4th
Olympic Games: Runners-up 1996, Quarter-finals 2008; Group Stage 2004, 2000
AFC Women’s Asian Cup (8): 2006, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1993, 1991, 1989, 1986; Runner-Up 2008, 2003; Third 2014, 2001, Fourth 2010
FIFA Women’s World Cup: Runners-up 1999; Fourth place 1995; Quarter-finals 2015, 2007, 2003, 1991

TEAM PROFILE
Eight times AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners, runners-up at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and silver medallists at the 1996 Olympic Games, China are one of the traditional powerhouses of women’s football.

The inaugural women’s football tournament, added to the official programme at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, remains among their greatest achievements.

Group stage eliminations at the 2000 and 2004 editions were followed by a return to form with a quarter-final finish at the 2008 Olympic Games, but China failed to qualify for the 2012 tournament in London. 

KEY PLAYER
Wang Shanshan hit the headlines at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup after scoring two crucial goals in Canada. The first to secure China a place in the knockout stage in a 2-2 draw with New Zealand and then the only goal as China beat Cameroon in the Round of 16.

Wang has played as a defender, right wing or up front as she did in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the versatile 26-year-old Tianjin Huisen star will be looking to make similarly vital contributions in the final round of the AFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Japan.

COACH
Having replaced coach Hao Wei following the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Frenchman Bruno Bini will be looking to transfer the success he has enjoyed with his home country’s national team to China.

After 11 years working within the national set-up for women’s football development, Bini guided France to consecutive fourth place finishes at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2012 Olympic Games.