Sticking to its task

Team China captain Ou Zixia fights for the ball with Belgium's Delphine-Daphne Marien during Wednesday's semifinal match. Coached by Australia's two-time Olympic champion Alyson Annan, Team China put up a gusty fight against European powerhouse Belgium — which stands three places above China in the International Field Hockey world rankings — in Wednesday's semifinal. While the challenge will be monumental against the No 1-ranked Netherlands, the "Snow Lotuses" have an edge this time around, with Annan — former mentor of the Dutch team — now in China's corner. China's players rush to congratulate goalkeeper Ye Jiao after she made three saves to ensure China's win in the Paris 2024 Olympics women's field hockey semifinal against Belgium on Wednesday. We take it as a new beginning for the sport to be better developed," said the defender, who's represented Team China in 172 international matches across three Olympic Games.