The Honolulu Advertiser from Honolulu, Hawaii • 30

mm ary aj D4 Friday, July 9, 1999 Hie Honolulu Advertiser Matchups: United States vs. China 1 CUP1SS China, U.S. dominate all-star team Hamm, Akers lead American selections A team trainer helps United States women's soccer star Mia Hamm stretch prior to yesterday's practice at Pomona-Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. Associated Press Fighting: First time for Lee in Hawaii FROM PAGE Dl Sears furniture department for 45 years and that his co-workers never knew he taught martial arts until they saw an article on Harlan Lee. "He was always a humble person, never really exposed himself," Lee said.

"He's the reason we are here. I want to show him I appreciate all he has taught me." Another reason for his return to the ring is to give the Chinese martial arts some exposure. Lee said karate, a Japanese martial art, is popular here because there are local tournaments. He said the Chinese martial arts community tends to keep a low profile. That's why this will be his Hawaii debut, even though he has been competing since 1987.

"If you have something good, you should share it," Lee said. "That's how the art grows." He added that there isn't any one martial art that is superior to another. "It's up to the individual what they want from it," he said. "If you want to learn kicks, then taekwon-do is your art. If you want to learn hand techniques, then kung fa If you want to learn takedowns, (try) judojiujitsu." As an instructor, Lee tries to perpetuate the Chinese martial arts.

His philosophy puts it into perspective. He tells his students to avoid confrontation whenever possible. "It's not who can beat up each other that's the better man," he said. "If who can walk away and wake up for tomorrow." That's why he tells his student to' avoid a confrontation whenever possible. He said once his students learn that they are capable of hurting someone, they become more compassionate.

"The bottom line is you want them to be better human beings," he said. While he looks forward to tomorrow's fight, Lee said he enjoys, teaching more than competing these days. "That's what makes me happy because if I can see a student of mine or my dad's win and were not even related that's the best accomplishment you can ever have," he said. NOTES: Harlan Lee is SO and his opponent, Su Shigang, is 46-2. 'It doesn't matter how many wins whoever had." Lee said.

"It's who's mentally and spiritually prepared that night when you step in the ring." Last year in Beijing, the Americans won only one of eight matches. He said unlike the Americans, the Chinese are "professionals" at their sport. It's their primary occupation, said Lee, who works at a clothing store during the day. I ble, although she set up the first U.S. goal in the semifinals with a terrific cross.

EDGE: Even. 'forwards Sun Wen vs. Mia Hamm. Yan Jin vs. Tiffeny Milbrett.

Ouying Zhang vs. Cindy Parlow. All three duos are dynamic and like to attack. All three are strong finishers and excellent passers. Sun has been hot and Hamm has not.

The American hasn't scored in three games, while Sun is tied for the tournament lead with seven goals. Hamm looked tentative against Brazil, passing up several shots. Sun scored twice against Norway. Milbrett is the wild card. Her energetic bursts to the ball and with the ball could free up teammates for open shots.

EDGE: Even. 77; '7 7 7 Shannon MacMillan has been the most productive substitute in the tournament for any team. The Americans also have Tisha Venturini, another veteran of big games, available off the bench. China doesn't have anyone of that quality in reserve. EDGE: United States.

First round GROUP A I OF OA Pts United States 3 0 0 13 1 9 -Nigena 2 1 0 8 6 North Korea 1 2 0 4 6 3 Denmark 0 3 0 1 8 0 advanced to quarterfinals Saturday, June 18 At East Huttwtord, J. United States 3, Denmark 0 Sunday, Jurw 20 At Pasadena, Calif. Nigena 2, North Korea 1 Thursday, June 24 At Chicago United States 7, Nigeria 1 At Portland, Ore. North Korea 3, Denmark 1 Sunday, June 27 AtLandow, Md. Nigena 2, Denmark 0 At Foxboro, Mass.

United States 3, North Korea 0 GROUPS OF GA Pts H-Brazit 2 0 1 12 4 7 (-Germany 1 0 2 10 4 5 Italy 1113 3 4 Mexico 0 3 0 1 IS 0 x-advanced to quarterfinals Saturday, June 19 At East Rutherford, NJ. Brazil 7, Mexico 1 Sunday, June 20 At Pasadena, Calif. Germany 1, Italy 1, tie Thursday, June 24 At Chicago Brazil 2, Italy 0 At Portland, Ore. Germany 6, Mexico 0 Sunday, June 27 AtLandovsr.Md. Germany 3.

Brazil 3, tie AtRnboro, Mass. Italy 2, Mexico 0 GROUP OF OA Pts x-Norway 3 0 0 13 2 9 x-Russia 2 1 0 10 3 6 Canada 0 2 1 3 12 1 Japan 0 2 1 1 10 1 x-advanced to quarterfinals Saturday, June 19 At San Jose, Calif. Japan 1, Canada 1, tie Sunday, June 20 At Foxboro, Mass. Norway 2, Russia 1 Wednesday, June 23 AtLandovsr.Md. Norway 7, Canada 1 At Portland, Ore.

Russia 5. Japan 0 Saturday, June 26 At East Rutherford, J. Rubsib 4, Canada 1 At Chicago Norway 4, Japan 0 GROUP OF GA Pta X-China 3 0 0 12 2 9 x-Sweden 2 1 0 6 3 6 Ghana 0 2 1 1 10 1 Australia 0 2 1 3 7 1 x-advanced to quarterfinals Saturday, June 19 At San Jose, Calif. China 2, Sweden 1 Sunday, June 20 At Foxboro, Mass. Australia 1, Ghana 1, tie Wednesday, June 23 AtLandovsr.Md.

Sweden 3, Australia 1 At Portland, Ore. China 7, Ghana 0 Saturday, June 26 At East Rutherford, J. China 3, Australia 1 At Chicago Sweden 2, Ghana 0 Quarterfinals Wednesday, June 30 At San Josa, Calif. China 2, Russia At San Jose, Calif. Norway 3, Sweden 1 Thursday, July 1 AtLandover, Md.

United States 3. Germany 2 AtLanddver.Md. Brazil 4, Nigena 3. OT Semifinals Sunday, Jury 4 At Stanford, Calif. United States 2, Brazil 0 At Foxboro, Mass.

China 5, Norway 0 Third place Saturday, July 10 At Pasadena, Calif. Norway vs. Brazil, 7:30 a.m. HST Championship Saturday, July 10 At Pasadena, Calif. China at United States, 9:50 a.m.

HST Associated Press CLAREMONT, Calif. Five Americans, including veteran stars Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers, were chosen for the 1999 Women's World Cup All-Star team yesterday, with seven Chinese players also selected. The United States and China, which meet in Saturday's championship game at the Rose Bowl, dominated the team, chosen by the FIFA Technical Study Group. It is the first team ever chosen during a Women's World Cup. U.S.

goalkeeper Briana Scurry and defenders Brandi Chastain and Quia Overbeck joined Hamm, a forward, and Akers, a midfielder, on the elite team. "That's awesome," Hamm said. "With all the great players, that's a real honor." She looked down the all-star roster and seemed surprised that other of her teammates didn't make it. "They're missing Kristine Lilly, who's one of the very best, and Tiffeny Milbrett," Hamm noted. "But you look at the players who are on there, and it would have been hard to leave any of them off.

"I'm sure it was difficult to decide." The technical study group analyzed each player's strengths and all-around game. The FIFA group described Hamm as an "explosive, strong team player." Akers was assessed as "charismatic, excellent header, powerful." Scurry was seen as "composed, good positional sense and excellent shot-stopper." Chastain was described as "strong, good in the air, dominates left side." Overbeck was picked because of her "good vision and covering of the defense." Akers, 33, a mainstay of the American team for 14 years, was excited to learn she was on the all-star team. "That's great. My dad will be very happy," she said. Akers has two goals in the tournament, as does Hamm.

China's all-stars include forward Sun Wen, the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals, and goalkeeper Gao Hong, who has allowed only two goals in five games. Chinese forward Jin Yan also was selected, as were midfielders Liu Ailing and Zhao Lihong, and defenders Wang Liping and Wen Lirong. The only all-stars from other countries were forward Ann Kristin Aarones of Norway, midfielders Sissi of Brazil and Bettina Wiegmann of Germany, and defender Doris Fitschen of Germany. MasterCard will donate $16,000 in the players' names to the SOS Children's Village, an official charity of Associated Press PASADENA, Calif. How China and the United States match up for tomorrow's Women's World Cupfinal: defense While the U.S.

defense has been spotty, affording dangerous opportunities for every opponent except North Korea, China has been very stingy. The Chinese have allowed two goals to four by the Americans. China's opponents rarely have gotten close to the net China's defenders, led by Wen Lirong and Liping Wang, clear the ball quickly upfield to begin counterattacks. They rarely are caught out of position or in a scrambling situation. U.S.

defenders Carta Overbeck, Joy Fawcett, Brandi Chastain and Kate Sobrero have made some spectacular plays while catching up to attackers. But there have been too many gaping holes in the defense, and Chastain has struggled in particular on the outside. EDGE: China. GOALKEEPER Two of the best in the world, Gao Hong known as "The Great Wall of China" and Briana Scurry, whom teammates refer to as "The Rock." Scurry has had far more work and has been steady, at times spectacular. She might need to be even better than she was against Brazil in the semifinals if the Americans spring leaks on defense, Gao predicted in February at the FIFA All-Star game that China would play the United States in the final.

If she's as ootarget with her saves tomorrow, she might be hoisting a championship trophy. But Scurry is in a groove and Gao hasn't needed to be. EDGE: United States. The Chinese midfield moves the ball superbly, often with onetouch passes to breaking teammates. Not often do things get methodical for them.

In Liu Ailing, they have one of the best all-around performers of the tournament. She is an excellent finisher and a strong creator. Her battles with Michelle Akers could be critical. Akers has had a good tournament, particularly in controlling the ball. If she has it on her foot for long periods, it could frustrate China.

Kristine Lilly has been very active for the Americans and joins the offense as well as any midfielder in the world. Julie Foudy has been less visi COACHING Ma Yuanan has made all the right moves for China, which has gained confidence as the tournament has progressed. The Chinese are technically stronger than any team in the world, and they're very balanced. They haven't trailed in the tournament, so Ma's strategies have been foolproof. Tony DiCicco is extremely popular with his players and has an uncanny sense for when to insert MacMillan into the lineup.

He's found ways to disguise some of the weaknesses in the back, and is fortunate enough to have Scurry keeping the ball out of the net when there are breakdowns. EDGE: China. China has won two of three games this year against the Americans, including one at Giants Stadium. It beat defending champion Norway 50 in the semifinals. No opponent has put up much of a fight against the Chinese in this tournament The Americans are gutsy and riding an emotional wave that could turn into a tsunami before nearly 90,000 at the Rose Bowl.

They also have said anything short of winning the World Cup is not satisfactory. EDGE: United States. i'liflifl Sacramento fi upsets Houston Comets lose second game of season, 74-63; Cup: Politics tinges U.S. -China final Associated Press Women's World Cup Championship Rosters China 1. Han Wenxia, goalkeeper.

2. Wang liping, midfielder. 3. Fan Yunjie, defender. 4.

Man Yanling. defender. 5. Xie Huilin, defender. 6.

Zaho Lihong, midfielder. 7. Zhang Ouying, forward. 8. Jin Yan, forward.

9. Sun Wen, forward. 10. Liu Ailing, midfielder. 11.

Pu Wei, midfielder. 12. Wen Lirong, defender. 13. Uu Ying, midfielder.

14. Bai Jie, defender. 15. Qiu Haiyan, midfielder. 16.

Fan Chunling. forward. 17. Zhu Jlng, midfielder. 18.

Gao Hong, goalkeeper. 19. Gao Hongxia, defender. 20. Wang Jingxia, defender.

Coach: Ma Yuanan. United States 1. Brlana Scurry, goalkeeper. 2. Lorrie Fair, defender.

3. Christie Pearce, defender. 4. Carta Overbeck, defender. 5.

Tiffany Roberts, midfielder. 6. Brandi Chastain, defender-midfielder. 7. Sara Whalen, defender.

8. Shannon MacMillan, forward. 9. Mia Hamm, forward. 10.

Michelle Akers, midfielder. 11. Julie Foudy, midfielder. 12. Cindy Partow, forward.

13. Kristine Lilly, midfielder. 14. Joy Fawcett, defender. 15.

Tisha Venturinl, midfielder. 16. Tiffeny Milbrett, forward. 17. Danielle Fotopoulos, forward.

18. Saskia Webber, goalkeeper. 19. Tracy Ducar, goalkeeper. 20.

Kate Sobrero, defender. Coach: Tony DiCicco newspaper suggested. It remains to be seen whether China's success in America will translate into greater funding and popularity for their long-overlooked sport back home. Wang, the fan club leader, is already planning to organize his group of drum-beating, whistle-blowing soccer enthusiasts into attending women's games in Beijing. "I've always been a real macho, not caring about the women, but I'll pay attention now," he said.

The national team's Swiss marketing company, International Sports and Leisure, hopes World Cup fame will attract sponsors. A 67-year-old grandmother, Zhu Ying, was so inspired by the team's performance that she phoned the Beijing Morning Post to announce her plans to enroll her 10-year-old granddaughter in a sports school to play soccer. She also urged Beijing's more than 10 million residents to donate one yuan each (about 12 cents) to fund women's soccer. "Chinese women's soccer is a hundred times stronger than the men, but their rewards are too lit clouding relations after the embassy bombing, conspiracy theories are spilling over into the sporting arena. There seems little chance that tomorrow's final can match the "ping-pong diplomacy" China and the United States used 28 years ago to help bridge the gulf between them.

Government-run media have raised doubts about the evenhand-edness of the referees for the championship game, saying officials in previous clashes between the two teams clearly favored the United State They've also suggested that U.S. organizers of the World Cup sought to trip up the Chinese women by deliberately making them trek back and forth across America and its four time zones in the competition's earlier rounds. The Beijing Morning Post calculated that, including their trip to and from China, the team will have flown 25,793 miles, or once around the planet, compared with just 4,763 miles for the Americans. Organizers planned it like that "because the Chinese team is the American team's biggest obstacle to taking the championship," the tle," she said. The women's success already is putting pressure on China's men to buck up and raising questions about whether they deserve the largesse lavished on them since professional leagues were set up five years ago.

"Compared to male soccer players, the women players' incomes are pitifully small, but they repeatedly make it to the World Cup," Wu Yi, the Cabinet member, was quoted by the state-run Xinhua News Agency as saying. "Male players should learn from their spirit" Compared to the women, the men are millionaires. They make, on average, $60,000 a year a fortune in China. Big Chinese and foreign advertisers back the games, which are often televised nationwide. China's women stars are state employees and make less than $4,000 a year.

"If the women are world champions, the men will have to crawl into a hole. They'll lose so much face," added Li Feng, a soccer fan who works in advertising. "It will really give the men a push." FROM PAGE Di Grudges aside, Chinese sports fans long starved of success in men's international soccer are looking forward to finally seeing China make good. To enthusiasts' huge disappointment, the Chinese men's team has never even qualified for a World Cup let alone been in a position to win one. So the success of the women has seemed almost heaven-sent Liu Ailing and Sun Wen China's top women players are on their way to becoming household names.

One official newspaper refers to the team as "China's roses." Even Wu Yi, China's most senior female politician and a tough trade negotiator, has gotten swept up in the excitement. Wu, a Cabinet member, reportedly interrupted a speech to provide her audience with game updates during China's 5-0 semifinal defeat of Norway on Sunday. A similar battering of America could go a long way to restoring China's national pride. In the atmosphere of suspicion For one evening, the two-timp. defending champion Houston' Comets appeared vulnerable.

A 74-63 loss to the revamped; Sacramento Monarchs last night i Sacramento was only Houston's? second defeat in 13 games this year and sixth over the past two' seasons for Houston, which has" gone 42-6 over that span. The' Comets' only other loss this year' was 68-66 against Orlando. "This was a stepping stone for; us. We beat a great team," said. Monarchs guard Kedra Holland-; Com, who finished with 16 points.

Starzz 81, Mystics 65: At Wash--ington, Reserve Wendy Palmer' scored 17 points and Adrienne' Goodson added 15 as Utah won its third straight game with an 81-65! victory Thursday night over Wash-; ington and teammate Debbie; Black had a career-high seven steals and seven assists. Liberty 84, Rockers 49: At; Cleveland, Sophia Witherspoon' made four 3-pointers and scored 22 points for the Liberty. The 35-point difference was the; largest margin of victory for New York (8-4) this season. r- rT i-T iiTTi ir rti ii ir -i firi--tirViirai f- nf mm rm ri i hi 0M iaaay I.JLiO i.