Wang Shuang keeps China’s World Cup dreams alive after win over Haiti

ADELAIDE – Wang Shuang kept China’s Women’s World Cup campaign alive by converting a penalty in Friday’s 1-0 win over Haiti at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, with the Asian side showing great resolve to claim victory despite being a player short.

The Steel Roses, who have three points from two games in Group D, face England on Tuesday in a crucial game as they seek to extend their record of making the knockout rounds in the World Cups they have played in.

“It was a very tough match today, the players did well and I’m very proud of them,” said China coach Shui Qingxia.

“We encountered difficult circumstances but thankfully the team managed to adjust to the situation accordingly.

“I’m very, very emotional right now and I need to go back to calm down and do a review of the match. The next game will be even tougher but, as long as we come together to play as a team, I believe there will be miracles.”

China dominated from the kick-off and almost went ahead in spectacular fashion in the 16th minute with Lou Jiahui’s acrobatic effort, but the shot was easily saved by Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus.

However, the momentum quickly shifted when Zhang Rui was shown a straight red card in the 29th minute for a reckless “studs up” tackle on Sherly Jeudy.

The Caribbean side made the most of their advantage, having a goal disallowed for offside just before half-time, but China defended resolutely against relentless waves of attacks.

The Chinese finally broke the deadlock following the interval, after Zhang Linyan was clumsily brought down by Ruthny Mathurin.

Substitute Wang, the 2018 Asian Women’s Footballer of the Year, stepped up to convert the resulting penalty in the 74th minute and give her side the advantage.

Haiti pushed hard in search of an equaliser and had two penalty claims denied in a frantic closing spell, but China held on for the win. 

If Shui’s players beat England in the final group game and Denmark defeat Haiti, England, China and the Danes would all have six points and it would be down to goal difference.

Haiti could also progress should they beat Denmark and England get the better of China, so the group has been blown wide open by China’s victory.

Meanwhile, England coach Sarina Wiegman praised her players for pulling themselves together after key midfielder Keira Walsh was stretchered off in the 1-0 win over Denmark earlier.

The 26-year-old Walsh, a vital member of the team who won the Euro in 2022, went over towards the end of the first half in Sydney and seemed to jar her knee on the turf.

Walsh, who was snapped up by Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported £400,000 (S$685,000) last September – a world record for a woman footballer – was stretchered off in tears.

The European champions were already missing captain Leah Williamson and Euro 2022 Golden Boot winner Beth Mead, both ruled out before the tournament with knee injuries.

“Of course I’m concerned because she could not walk off the pitch,” said Wiegman, whose side won thanks to a sixth-minute goal by Chelsea forward Lauren James and are on the verge of qualifying for the last 16.

“But we don’t know yet (how bad the injury is) so we can’t make assumptions. Let’s wait until we have a diagnosis.”

Wiegman added that the team were “not upset, but we just needed to find our feet”.

“Of course it’s not nice when a player goes off the pitch that way, but these things happen in football and you just have to move on,” she said.

“You’re at the World Cup and you really want to win the game, so we just had to adapt to a new situation as soon as possible, and that is what we did.” REUTERS, AFP