Soccer News of Tuesday, 22 July 2003

Source: GNA

Black Queens happy with pairings

Accra, July 21, GNA - Coach Oko Aryee, head of technical directors of the women soccer team, on Tuesday said his team was not scared of any of the teams they have been paired with in the forthcoming FIFA editions of the women's world cup slated for United States in September.

The coach told the GNA Sports that though the three teams - - China, Australia and Russian are tough customers, his side has prepared adequately for them. He said since the Queens had in mind that all the participating teams would come with a common purpose, to win the ultimate, the team had been psyched up to meet every opponent squarely.

Coach Aryee told the GNA that the Queens had played all the three teams before and was hopeful that his side could ride on the little knowledge they have on them coupled with their preparation to qualify for the various stages of the competition. "Everyone is clearly aware of the enormous task ahead of us to defend the continent and the nation and we would as a result do everything possible to make history and make the country proud at the competition" he added.

On her part, Madam Helena Cobbena, the deputy chairman of the Queens management committee said she was optimistic that the team would move past the first stage of the tourney. She said the Queens are very familiar with the style of play of all the three opponents and having considered the world cup as the right time to affirm their superiority on Russia and Australia while they avenge China's painful 7-0 defeat at the last world cup, the Queens would do exactly so. The Queens who are the African Silver medallist are paired in group D along side Australia, Russia and China. With the exception of Russia, the rest were paired together with the Queens and Sweden in the same group at the last world cup staged in the United States.

Meanwhile the team moved from their Winneba camping base to Accra at the weekend for further preparations. The team currently trains at the nations Wembley, Accra Sports Stadium daily and visit the Dansoman Liberty Professionals gym occasionally. The team would embark on their first international tour to the United Kingdom next weekend. While in the UK, they are expected to be the guest of the female team of Arsenal and the Fulham Ladies as a build up for the competition. The Queens according to GNA sources are expected to move straight from UK for the tournament in the US.