Head coach Shui Qingxia (R) and player Wang Shanshan of China attend a press conference one day ahead of the group D match between China and England at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Adelaide, Australia, July 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)

Ahead of the impending Women's World Cup match against England, Shui Qingxia, the Chinese team's head coach, has urged her players to adopt a proactive strategy.

Presently, England leads Group D with six points, whereas both China and Denmark trail with three points each. Including the scoreless Haiti, all four teams still have a shot at advancing to the knockout stage before the final round, slated to commence on Tuesday.

"This is a complex group. The most critical aspect is to perform our brand of football well. Players should maintain a positive mental and physical attitude. I hope we can find the net tomorrow," Shui urged on Monday's pre-match conference.

The 57-year-old coach praised the European champions, saying, "England has displayed stability in recent years. It ranks among the world's best teams and plays aggressive football. The match carries significance for both sides, but we're sure to encounter more challenges. We must strive to compete for every ball possession."

Shui opted not to disclose whether star forward Wang Shuang, who was benched for the first two matches' initial halves, would start. "Wang is a tremendous player. My starting lineup selection is rooted in tactical considerations. Our goal is to optimize her offensive capabilities," she stated.

England announced on Sunday that its key midfielder, Keira Walsh, would miss Tuesday's match due to a knee injury. However, head coach Sarina Wiegman appeared undeterred by her absence, saying, "It's unfortunate to lose players, but we must press forward. Even without Keira, we remain a formidable team."

"We're currently focusing on China. They are an entirely different squad compared to their Tokyo Olympics team two years ago. They're well-organized. We must stay patient and keep the ball in motion. That's the primary objective of the game - to maintain as much control as possible," Wiegman noted.

Despite being a single point away from qualification, the coach asserted her tactics wouldn't change. "We approach every match intending to win, and that's our plan for tomorrow."

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