Team United edges Shaanxi in women's soccer at National Games

XI'AN -- Team United, composed of the Chinese national players competing at the Tokyo Olympics, beat Shaanxi 1-0 in the first round of China's 14th National Games women's soccer group stage here on Thursday afternoon.

Team United player Wang Yan met Wang Shuang's free kick and headed home after 36 minutes. Shaanxi got several chances, which all turned out to be in vain.

"My girls are not afraid of strong opponents, and they dare to fight. I'll give my players nine out of ten points," said Liu Huana, head coach of Shaanxi.

Zheng Chaoyong, deputy secretary general of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and director of CFA women's soccer department, explained that the national team was arranged to participate in this National Games, as its competition cycle was made shorter because of the Tokyo Olympics postponement.

Shaanxi, Shandong, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Beijing, Shanghai, Sichuan and team United are battling it out in the National Games soccer competition, which is to be held from September 16-25.

Also on Thursday, Shandong beat Beijing 2-0, Jiangsu beat Liaoning 1-0, and Shanghai beat Sichuan 1-0.