China

Sun Wen no-show at national team

(CRIENGLISH.com )
Updated: 2006-08-07 10:29

China's top female football player Sun Wen failed to report to the national team on Sunday.

Chinese women's national soccer team player Sun Wen [southcn.com]

The no-show fueled speculation the former world player of the year is thinking of leaving professional football.

Sun returned to the Chinese squad last year at the urging of new head coach Ma Liangxing after a three-year retirement.

The 33-year-old player had voiced her intention to retire after China won the AFC Women's Asian Cup earlier this month in Australia.

According to Chinese media, the veteran player had ruled out a farewell match to celebrate her brilliant career, including a silver medal at the Atlanta Olympiad.

She also ruled out the possibility of becoming a football coach.