Tournament hosts China cross swords with Denmark on 12 September in their opening game of the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007. It finished 2-2 when the sides met on Chinese soil in the opening round of the first finals 16 years ago but will history repeat itself here?

The match
China-Denmark, Wuhan, Wednesday 12 September, 20:00 (local time)

The stakes
The pressure will be on China to make a winning start in front of their own supporters and their record of seven wins in eleven previous meetings with Denmark offers grounds for optimism. The Danes have beaten China only once, back in 2001, but can draw inspiration from their impressive performances at this year's Algarve Cup, where Kenneth Heiner-Moller's charges reached the final, while the Steel Roses managed only a disappointing tenth-placed finish.

The players
There are no reported injury problems in either camp, ensuring both teams should be at their strongest.

The past
The sides have met twice previously on the FIFA Women's World Cup stage. Denmark held the hosts to a 2-2 draw at China 1991, but the East Asians emerged 3-1 winners from their meeting in the group stage at Sweden 1995.

The words
Denmark are a team to respect as they are physically stronger and they can be very tough on the pitch against us. But we have our strengths and we will play our passing game to try and take control of the match. It could be a good game - Marika Domanski-Lyfors, Chinacoach

China are among the world's best with a host of talented players. Marika has been doing a good job and the team have undergone some positive changes since she took over. It will be an evenly contested match and the result really depends on the players' performances. It could be a 1-0, to whoever wins - Kenneth Heiner-Moller, Denmark coach