IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Netizens lose faith in national team

The future looks so dim for China's national soccer team even the fans have lost faith.

Sports China

'Absolute advantage' in diving dissolves

China's diving "Dream Team" has made every effort to cement its status as the dominant force in the sport, but a series of setbacks at the recent FINA Diving World Series and FINA Diving Grand Prix has raised doubts about China's chances of winning every gold medal in Beijing.

Score board

BASEBALL

It's simple - China must win to stay alive

China stands at the edge of the cliff heading into Saturday's 2010 World Cup Asian Zone qualifying group match against Iraq. Simply put, China must beat the Asian Cup champion to keep alive its waning hopes of advancing to the final qualifying round.

Sports China

Women to open gold-medal defense against Venezuela

China's women's volleyball team will open its Olympic gold-medal defense against Venezuela with strong momentum after finishing second at the Swiss Volleyball Masters and with the return of two stars Feng Kun and Zhao Ruirui. Their match will be held on on Aug 11.

Special supplement: Guiyang's environment attracts tourists and investors

As the Beijing Olympic torch arrives in Guiyang today, Yuan Zhou, mayor of the city, tells China Daily "this is a good opportunity for people, especially foreigners, to have better understanding of this inland city in southwest China".

Score board

BASEBALL

Sports China

Maybe next time for paddler Ma Long

While the nation anticipates another ping-pong sweep at this year's Olympics, China's table tennis chief Liu Guoliang is already planning for life beyond the Games, setting his sights on 19-year-old Ma Long.