DOHA: With precocious¹ skills, dynamic personality and raw strength, it's little surprise fans are comparing China's top female footballer Ma Xiaoxu to Wayne Rooney.
But this is not something Ma, Asian Women's Player of the Year and Youth Player of the Year, is happy to hear.

"I know lots of people would like to compare me to Rooney. I do not like the comparison," she said after China's opening game.

"I know I have a strong personality, but I'm not as explosive as Rooney." "At next year's World Cup in China, I believe as a debutant I will play better than Rooney. I also believe China will get better results than England."

Ma Xiaoxu of China plays in the match against Thailand in the women's football tournament of the Asian Games in Doha on Thursday. The Chinese routed the Thais 7-0 in their opening match.