Olympic Silver Medalist China Would Look to Build on their Robust Pro League Start

China have been one of the most improved sides in world women’s hockey – under celebrated Australian coach Alyson Annan (who took charge in mid-2022) the China women’s hockey team have been charting steady progress that culminated in a silver-medal finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Chinese eves were the surprise packet of the 2024 Paris Olympics stunning one team after another (Australia in the quarterfinal and Belgium in the semifinal) before they gave mighty Netherlands a scare before finishing second-best in the final in a shootout.

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The Olympic silver-winning performance of China wasn’t exactly on unexpected lines. The signs were there for all to see at the 2023-24 Pro League – an event that preceded the Paris Olympics where they upstaged Belgium 2-1 and Germany 3-1 at Antwerp and London, respectively. The Asian powerhouse also forced a regulation time draws against formidable Argentina and Great Britain as well. These performances was a clear indicator that the Alyson Annan-coached side can take on any side in the world head-on.

The world number 6 ranked side would be excited about sustaining their good run of form showcased in the first leg of the 2024-25 Pro League games in their own backyard at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium, Hangzhou, when they take on the likes of hosts and 5th ranked Australia and 8th ranked Spain at Sydney Olympic Park.

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At the Hangzhou leg of the Pro League, the red-and-yellow skirts had twice put it across England and also got the better of Olympic semifinalist Belgium in a shootout – they are firmly placed in second in the points tree with 9 points from 4 games behind tabletoppers Netherlands, who have 9 points from as many games.

The depth of talent in Chinese hockey is all more remarkable because even with a second-string side they had finished runners-up to India in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy at Rajgir. Clearly, Alyson Annan has a problem of plenty as far as options are concerned. At the Hangzhou leg of the Pro League, China eves saw many of their established players return to the national fold – having said that the national side was minus champion goalkeeper Ye Jiao, ace drag-flicker and two-time Olympian Gu Bingfeng and young and talented drag-flicker and deep defender Ma Ning.

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Skipper Ou Zixia would have a larger responsibility on the pitch not just manning the deep defence but also in carrying the team together. She would bank on the experience of two-time Olympians Li Hong and Chen Yang in midfield alongside Dan Wen and Zou Meirong in midfield. The forwardline would be towered over by two-time Olympian Zhong Jiaqi – all these players were instrumental in China’s memorable Olympic campaign