KRASNOYARSK, Russia, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese women's ice hockey team took on their first pre-match training session on Wednesday, two days ahead of their first 2019 Winter Universiade match against power house Canada.
With the graduation of several key players, China are unable to send the strongest youth squad to Krasnoyarsk. Long-distance travel and unfamiliar venue are also challenges to the 21-member team, but head coach Guan Xiaobo is glad that the training conditions are more or less the same as China.
"The team is a mix of veterans and young girls," said Guan. "With several new faces in the team, our biggest challenge is to find the chemistry among the players."
China reached final-four at the last Winter Universiade, but with Canada, Russia, Switzerland, Japan and the USA on deck, it will be really hard for the inexperienced side to repeat its achievement two years ago.
"Counter-attack will be our main game plan, for all five games," said Guan.
"They are much stronger teams so we just have to fight our own fight and see what we can learn from them."
The 24-year-old Guan Yingying, captain of the team, is enjoying her third consecutive Winter Universiade. As one of the most experienced athlete in the team, she hopes that the team can unite to show their best in every match in Russia.
Guan Yingying picked up ice hockey at the age of 15 and she is looking forward to the next Winter Olympics which will be held in China.
"Every athlete wants to take part in Olympics, and I hope I can fulfill my dream three years later," said Guan Yingying.
Coach Guan has great expectations for the girls. "They are improving their strength and skill in the recent two years," said Guan. "Maybe they can make a difference in the coming two or three years."
