China ends group campaign in style

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail China.org.cn, April 13, 2018
Adjust font size:
China's Gu Yasha controls the ball despite Jordan's Yasmeen Khair close attention.

Wang Shuang scored a hat-trick as China made it three wins from three by rounding off their Group A campaign at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018 with a comprehensive 8-1 victory over Jordan on Thursday.


The success underlined China's position at the group's summit after they had assured themselves of a place in the tournament's semi-finals – and a place at next year's FIFA Women's World Cup – courtesy of their Matchday Two defeat of the Philippines.


After a bright start at the Amman International Stadium, it was China who were the first to threaten, tournament leading scorer Li Ying unleashing a drive from 15 yards which Jordan goalkeeper Salma Ghazal did well to gather on five minutes.


The visitors were not to be denied however, and they duly broke the deadlock in the 14th minute as Wang Shuang broke into the penalty area and rifled an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.


To their credit, Jordan, still smarting from their hefty defeat to Thailand on Matchday Two, refused to buckle and they drew level three minutes later when Sarah Abu Sabbah made the most of hesitant Chinese defending to poke the ball home at the far post following a testing Stephanie Al Naber free-kick.


A degree of clam followed the early storm, although a Wang Shuang thunderbolt that rebounded to safety off the Jordanian bar proved to be a sign of things to come for Jordan as, with an entertaining first half drawing to a close, Yasmeen Khair could only deflect Ren Guixin's shot from close range into her own net to hand China the lead once again.


China then extended their advantage twice within eight minutes of the restart, first Song Duan threading the ball home from distance, and then Wang Shuang looping a free-kick beyond everyone and into the back of Ghazal's net.


With Jordan's resolve clearly broken, the ever-impressive Li Ying further compounded Jordan's woes by netting her fourth goal of the tournament with a neat turn and finish on the hour mark.


Li Ying went on to grab her second of the game in the 72nd minute, the striker picking herself up after being hauled down in the area by Khair – who was subsequently sent off by referee Cong Thi Dung – to slam home the resulting penalty with aplomb.


Wang Shuang duly claimed her third of the night, and China's seventh, with a superb 84th minute drive that beat Ghazal's despairing dive, before Tang Jiali brought proceedings to a close thanks to her shot from 12 yards some two minutes later.


While Jordan exit the competition, China will head into the semi-finals where they will face Group B's yet to be determined runners-up.


Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter