Associated Press
Friday, July 9, 1999; Page D1

CLAREMONT, Calif., July 8 – Five Americans, including veteran stars Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers, were chosen for the 1999 Women's World Cup all-star team today, with seven Chinese players also selected.

The United States and China, which meet in Saturday's championship game at the Rose Bowl, dominated the team, chosen by the FIFA Technical Study Group. It is the first team ever chosen during a Women's World Cup.

U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry and defenders Brandi Chastain and Carla Overbeck joined Hamm, a forward, and Akers, a midfielder, on the elite team.

China's all-stars include forward Sun Wen, the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals, and goalkeeper Gao Hong, who has allowed only two goals in five games. Chinese forward Jin Yan also was selected, as were midfielders Liu Ailing and Zhao Lihong, and defenders Wang Liping and Wen Lirong.

The only all-stars from other countries were forward Ann Kristin Aarones of Norway, midfielders Sissi of Brazil and Bettina Wiegmann of Germany, and defender Doris Fitschen of Germany.