Amsterdam — Alyson Annan believes that her China team can cope with the speed England will present on Thursday’s crucial Women’s World Cup Pool clash to decide the outcome of the cross-over matches.

Annan, a Hockey Paper columnist, has worked wonders with China since taking up a contract six weeks ago. After the World Cup, she hopes to keep the squad in Amstelveen in three-month chunks to play European teams, while the Australian hopes to speak Mandarin before next year’s Asian Games.