China depart for 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup

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China's women's football team have departed for France ahead of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup which begins on June 7. The Steel Roses have a tough opening Group B fixture when they take on two-time champions Germany in Rennes.

The marquee event of women's football gets underway a day earlier in Paris with hosts France opening up Group A against South Korea. The Chinese squad have recently been training in Beijing and will be led on the global stage by coach Ji Xiuquan.

The 55-year-old took the reins of the team last May and was able to guide them to the final of the Asian Games where they lost to Japan, before a disappointing 12th place result at Portugal's Algarve Cup followed this March.

Much is expected in China from the leading star Wang Shuang (R) when the team compete in next month's Women's World Cup. /VCG Photo

China lost to hosts the United States on penalties in the 1999 World Cup final, and if they are to get anywhere near that achievement this time, Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) AFC Player of the Year, Wang Shuang, will have to be at the top of her game.

Wang said: "We have made very thorough preparations, and we have been looking forward to the World Cup for so long, so we are very excited to finally be leaving for France. The public is paying much more attention than in the last edition. Even now it's very late, but there are so many fans and media members here, so we are very happy."

China will kick off their campaign against Germany on June 8, before facing South Africa five days later, and wrapping up Group B by clashing with Spain on June 17.