China expected to reach World Cup knockout stage: former goalie Gao

BEIJING - Former Chinese women's soccer team goalkeeper Gao Hong believes that the new team are able to reach the knockout stage at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada this June.

"I think they will do well in the group matches and eventually make it to the knockout stage," Gao said on Sunday. "It has been eight years since China's last World Cup. It's a good chance."

The Chinese team, runners-up of the World Cup in 1999, failed to qualify for last World Cup in Germany in 2011.

Gao, who helped China win five Asian Cup titles and a silver medal in the World Cup, now works as a coach of China's U16 team.

The Women's World Cup 2015 will be held from June 6 to July 5 in Canada.