ZCZC
BSP-02
FBL-ASIA-CHN-USA-ZHANG
China mourns death of former women’s World Cup star at 43
SHANGHAI, Dec 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Football communities in the US and China
were on Monday mourning the death of former Chinese international Zhang
Ouying who had been fighting cancer. She was 43.
Zhang came agonisingly close with China to winning the 1999 World Cup
final, arguably the country’s greatest footballing moment. She scored during
the penalty shootout won 5-4 by hosts United States in front of 90,000
spectators.
Zhang played in two other World Cups and two Olympics. After retiring as a
player she became a popular youth coach in San Diego, California, where she
is survived by her American husband and two young children.
She was diagnosed earlier this year with cancer in both lungs and a crowd-
funding page was set up in May to help pay for treatment, but died on
Saturday.
The Chinese Football Association said the game in the country was “deeply
saddened”.
“Her superb skills won her the respect of the Chinese football community,”
the CFA said in a statement.
“We feel deeply sorry for the loss of such a football star. The CFA and
Chinese football will deeply cherish the memory of Zhang Ouying and her
contribution to Chinese football.”
San Diego Soccer Club, where Zhang was fondly known as “Coach O”, mourned
her as “a great person, friend and coach”.
“We are so honoured to have had her as a part of our soccer family,” the
non-profit youth football organisation said.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1045 hrs