China negotiating challenges of missing Lunar New Year celebrations at Asian Cup

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/china/IFHViN7N/"]China[/a] edged [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-korea/6LgUhbye/"]South Korea[/a] 3-2 in Mumbai four years ago to win their ninth continental crown and are the most successful team in the tournament's history.[/p][p]But they have struggled in recent times, slipping to 17 in the world and desperately want to kickstart their tournament in Sydney on Tuesday with a statement win against debutants [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/bangladesh/ll09QFJe/"]Bangladesh[/a].[/p][p]Seasoned defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wu-haiyan/tWzP96VG/"]Wu[/a] admitted they were pining for home during a period traditionally spent with family, but would not let it affect their performance.[/p][p]"[b]We know our responsibilities as players,[/b]" said Wu.[/p][p]"[b]Even though it's Chinese New Year and we would like to be with our families, we have to put that aside and put our concentration and focus on this tournament.[/b]"[/p][embed guid="bb671030-64e4-4b42-8150-5525fd6ffb31" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4GdERnvW6U" social-type="youtube" /][p]Wu missed China's title-winning run in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/india/roU6mwR8/"]India[/a] in 2022 with injury, and it is fuelling her motivation for success in Australia.[/p][p]"[b]As the captain, I will try to fight and lead my team to go further,[/b]" she said.[/p][p]"[b]The national team is coming off a low point and received a lot of criticism, so we are motivated to give a good performance.[/b]"[/p][p]They should have few problems against a Bangladesh side at the Asian Cup for the first time and ranked the lowest of the 12 teams.[/p][p]Bangladesh skipper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/khandaker-afeida/OvFye3Ym/"]Afeida Khandaker[/a] said her side was approaching the match with excitement rather than fear.[/p][p]"[b]We are not feeling pressured even though this is our debut," she said. "We want to make the people of Bangladesh proud.[/b]"[/p][p]Uzbekistan and three-time winners [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/north-korea/fojQgvMl/"]North Korea[/a] are also in their group. They too meet in Sydney on Tuesday.[/p]