Chinese women's national team head coach Jia Xiuquan (left) receives a warm welcome from supporters at the Capital International Airport when coming back from the FIFA Women's World Cup. China advanced to the knock-out stages but was defeated by Italy 2-0 in the last 16 clash. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese women's national team head coach Jia Xiuquan said on Thursday that team's midfielder Wang Shuang may leave French club Paris Saint-Germain this summer and come back to play the Chinese domestic league.
The "Steel Roses" arrived at the Capital International Airport in the afternoon after bidding farewell to the 2019 Women's World Cup with a 2-0 loss in the round of 16 clash against Italy. But Wang didn't appear at the airport.
Jia Xiuquan has an interview at the Capital International Airport when coming back from the FIFA Women's World Cup. (Xinhua/He Changshan)
"She has asked for days off to stay in Paris to deal with some personal issues," Jia said, "her next stop is likely to be in China."
Media has reported before the World Cup that Wang, the Asian women's Player of the Year in 2018, would terminate final year at PSG to return to China next season. But she didn't respond to the speculation and said she only wanted to focus on the World Cup then.
The 24-year-old Wang joined PSG in August 2018, scoring eight goals with 10 assists to help the capital-based side to second place in the league last season.
"But wherever she is, I hope she should stick to high standards and help the national team in the future," Jia said.
China's goalkeeper Peng Shimeng (jersey 12) pats her teammate on the back after Italy's Valentina Giacinti scores during the round of 16 match, which China loses to Italy 2-0 at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France on June 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
The Chinese team has gone through a tough campaign at the World Cup during the last two weeks, advancing to the last 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides in the group stages after losing to Germany 1-0, beating South Africa 1-0 and drawing 0-0 against Spain.
"This experience is definitely a priceless treasure for our girls who have tried their utmost. It's no easy task vying with such powerful competitors," the 56-year-old Jia said.
"We should look forward and improve so we can narrow the gap. There's a long way to go before we catch up with others."
"But overall, I'm very grateful to our girls for their dedication and teamwork."
Chinese women's football team achieved second place at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1999. They also made the last eight in the 2015 edition of the tournament and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
