Former Team China ace Bai earns high praise from FIFA

CANBERRA－Former Team China player Bai Lili has been praised by FIFA as a shining example for soccer worldwide, with the global governing body saying she has "shaped a new destiny for herself" after her playing career was brought to "a cruel and abrupt end" by injury.

At the 2006 Asian Cup, Bai played a leading role in midfield for coach Ma Liangxing's side before sustaining a serious ligament injury in the semifinal, which proved to be her last match on the international stage.

"To be honest, I was unaware of how bad the injury was," Bai told FIFA.com as part of a series of articles published on the website to celebrate International Women's Day on Monday.