Women 'aiming to shock'

Malaysia's Norshahruddin Mad Ghani goes up to the net to challenge China's Jin Jie. [Carlos Barria/Reuters]

GUANGZHOU - The Chinese women's sepak takraw team suffered a tough opening to its Asian Games campaign on Tuesday, but morale is still high in the young squad's camp.

The host country lost 3-0 to powerhouse Thailand in its Group B clash.

Sepak takraw, a traditional game in Southeast Asian countries, became an official Asian Games sport at the 11th Asiad in Beijing in 1990.

Zhang Ya'nan, 18, one of nine members of the women team, told China Daily the team is still aiming to "shock the Asian Games".

"What we care most about is making every effort on the court when we are playing," said Zhang.

The teenager, born in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province, took part in the women's Contest Event 2010 where China won the gold medal.

"I was converted as soon as I saw my first game," Zhang said. "I started playing sepak takraw in primary school."

Zhang used to get hurt due to the "heavy ball" and her poor technique. But, after surviving the tough initiation, Zhang fell in love with the demanding sport.

"When people see it, they really enjoy it and then they start supporting us (the national team)," she said. "But we still have a smaller fan base than other sports. Our job here is to not only compete, but attract more public interest."

The women's team final will be on Nov 20.