Fan Yunjie, one of Zhang's teammates in the golden generation of the Chinese soccer team, has shared memories of Zhang in recent days. "Though she was the youngest in our team, she played the hardest. She was humorous and always told jokes, making all of us very cheerful," Fan said, bursting into tears.
Fan said she planed to visit Zhang in the hospital last week, but got the sad news of Zhang's passing on her way to the airport.
Zhang moved to the United States in 2006 after leaving the Chinese national soccer team. She played for San Diego Spirit team in the U.S. Women's United Soccer Association, and later mentored kids and teenagers at the San Diego Soccer Club (SDSC).
As one of the largest soccer clubs in Southern California, SDSC includes 103 competitive teams and about 3,000 recreational players.
Among the 53 soccer coaches in this club, Zhang is the only Chinese woman, but language and cultural background never hampered her coaching.
"Coach O is so nice and caring, like my mom. She pushed us to do better," said Rebecca Teixeira of Zhang's team. "She often shared with us stories about her experience in the Chinese soccer team, and we were very inspired."
The kids of SDSC made cards for Coach O, Zhang's nickname, when they were informed of her illness. They paid visits to her at the medical center to encourage her in the fight against cancer.
Aaron Jaffe, SDSC director, told Xinhua that Zhang was "super humble" and "very dedicated" during her ten years in the club. After she was diagnosed with cancer, she was very concerned about her teams, and asked Jaffe to have other coaches to take care of the kids.
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