Soccer star Sun Wen leads the Chinese women's national team into the World Cup later this month. On her fourth and last World Cup trip, the veteran Sun still hopes to captain China's "Iron Roses" to the ultimate triumph.
In the soccer realm, few players appear in the World Cup four times. Those who do are legends. German great Lothar Mattaus played in an astounding five finals. Diego Maradona terrorized opponents in four tournaments. Roberto Baggio craves a fourth appearance. Even Brazil's Pele, the sport's greatest player, only appeared in three World Cups.
But when Sun Wen, captain of China's national women's soccer team, looks out on her coming fourth World Cup appearance in the United States beginning September 23, she looks laid-back, as if it isn't such a big deal. Her calm personality differentiates herself from the other legends.
"I don't see it as a stunning achievement," says Sun, who celebrated her 30th birthday this April. "Yes, it's the fourth time, and certainly the last time, I will go and battle it out, but all I wish for this time is nothing more than a tour of enjoyment as well as a sincere smile after the curtain is down." The sentimental words come from a player who spoke directly about her ambition four years ago before her third attempt at the World Cup crown.
"I think I'm ready now," said Sun at a press conference in June 1999, one month before the tournament. "Keep yourself prepared for a talent show from me as an individual and I will help my team bring you the trophy." Sun turned half of her promise into reality. The Shanghai native shredded opponents for seven goals, many "highlight of the night" variety featuring dazzling runs and quickly released shots. She shared the Golden Boot award for most goals with Brazilian midfielder Sissi, but Sun did win the MVP (Most Valuable Player) title.
But the Chinese national team lost the trophy to their arch-rival United States in a cliff-hanger-like final held in Pasadena, California, where the Americans prevailed in the penalty kick 5-4 after a 120-minute scoreless draw. Photographers caught the disappointment of Sun and her teammates. Even now she refuses to glimpse at those pictures. "It's a moment of poignant sadness," Sun says.
"To be frank, it's the closest point to the ultimate victory, even closer than the 1996 Olympics final against the Americans. Of course, a good athlete fights for the championship every time, but the match in July 1999 really stands out as the best opportunity for us to reach the pinnacle, but it slipped away."
As stark contrast to her eloquent pre-tournament speech four years ago, Sun, long considered as the jewel of Chinese women's soccer, keeps an unusual, yet reasonably low profile.
Several star players have retired from the national side since the Sydney Olympics Games, where the "Iron Roses" -- the domestic media's name for the team -- faltered in the group stage. It was the worst fiasco China has experienced since women's soccer was introduced as an international competitive sport in the early 1990s.
Long-time national coach Ma Yuanan and his successor Ma Liangxing, who was elevated to the post early in 2002 from nine-time league champion Shanghai SVA, couldn't replace the void left by defensive midfielder Liu Ailing, full back Wen Lirong and goalkeeper Gao Hong. The trio, together with Sun, formed the backbone of the Chinese national team throughout the 1990s. "We've seen much new blood coming in," says Sun.
"But I can not ensure anybody that it matches the squad we used to have." Player retirement washed China away from the podium. In the past 12 months, they crashed two times to the rising Democratic People's Republic of Korea in continental finals.
Losses at the 14th Asian Games last October and the Ninth Asian Championship in June are clear indications the team no longer dominates Asian soccer. Many expect Sun to salvage the sinking ship. Still others doubt her ability at the age of 30.
"Sun has passed her zenith, although many of her peers, like Mia Hamm of the United States and Birgit Prinze of Germany, still dominate the sport," says Wang Houjun, assistant coach of Shanghai SVA, which signed Sun after she returned from Atlanta Beat of the US women's soccer league in July.
"She is still a good passer, but we can't anticipate her delivering spectacular goals this time, at least not like she did in 1999." Sun defied popular opinion with four stunning goals in the first six matches of this year's Chinese Women's Premier League. The in-box volleys and long-range strikes are reminiscent of her best days, but Sun herself feels her best days are gone.
"At the beginning of every training session these days, the pain in my knee is palpable," Sun says, referring to her chronic injury. "Sometimes age really plays an important role in competitive sports."
The injury is severe enough that it almost forced her to retire in late 2001 ahead of the Eighth Asian Championships. Sun's form might be fading but her influence is still booming. Unlike their male counterparts, women's football is dogged by financial troubles.
The Premier League kicked off in early June short of a title sponsor. But Shanghai SVA managed to land a deal with a Japanese company to finance its home matches. SVA's club manager Shen Yongyi says it's largely due to Sun Wen's presence on the team.
Fans are always looking for her autograph -- even at away matches. Assistant coach Wang is quick to mention that domestic league success does not necessarily translate into international triumphs.
The talent level is exponentially better at the World Cup. As Sun's career winds down, even she is uncertain of her future. Her passion for the game no longer shining so bright. "I don't know exactly when I will say goodbye to soccer," she says.
"But what I can tell you is that I've been admitted as a full-time student to Fudan University." In addition to the study, Sun's own company, established last year, is now marketing sportswear under Sunkoo brand in China.
After nearly two decades of chasing soccer balls and scoring big goals, it appears that the sun is indeed setting on one of the nation's best athletes. Fans can only hope that Sun has a little magic left in her boots for one last flickering chance at international glory.
(eastday.com September 4, 2003 )
