Jubilation as China scores World Cup quarters spot

TIANJIN: China advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women's Soccer World Cup with a determined two-goal victory against New Zealand in Tianjin last night.

The host's last group match against the lowly ran Kiwis had unnerved both the team and its supporters, especially after it was postponed by one day just four hours before Wednesday's scheduled kickoff.

But China allayed all fears by finishing second in Group D thanks to second-half goals from central-back Li Jie and mid-fielder Xie Caixia in Tianjin.

"We proved that we can play our game and play the best today - I am so happy," China's Swedish coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors rejoiced at the post-match press conference.

"I know some people and media were not confident on us that we could make it into the quarter-finals or even the semi-finals.

"I hope we can get more support and trust from you."

The win earned the tournament host a quarterfinal appointment with Group C winner Norway in Wuhan on Sunday.

Brazil won group D after edging Denmark 1-0 in the last minute and will take on Australia in the quarters.

Before the final round, both China and Denmark's fate hung in the balance, while Brazil was almost a certain qualifier courtesy of huge for-and-against differential.

For China to qualify, it had to either better Denmark's result or, in the event both sides won, achieve a victory margin five goals greater than the Danes'.

Headlines asked whether the under-pressure China side could produce its best form, especially after a snap decision from FIFA to postpone the match from Wednesday.

"I think we did what we should do," Domanski-Lyfors said.

"We left all the pressure behind, we played our best game against the New Zealand and finally Brazil won against Denmark and that's it.

"During the match, I have told the players to keep the composure and take the match easily."

Even New Zealand coach John Herdman was impressed by China's performance and believes it can advance further than the quarterfinals - although only with more sympathetic media coverage.

"The spirit Chinese players showed today, their drive and passion will push the team where Chinese people are expecting," he said.

"China will grow from these experiences.

"They will renew the confidence from the game and they will remove the pressure from them.

"It can be the difference going into the quarterfinals and semifinals.

"Media should give more support to Chinese players and do not give them so much pressure."

Keep faith in strikers

Domanski-Lyfors played three strikers last night, underlining her determination to score as many goals as possible.

Han Duan and Ma Xiaoxu's tournament goal drought continued, but Domanski-Lyfors insisted she would persist with both.

"Both of them have proved themselves in the previous tournament," she said.

"Han Duan also scored in every match before the tournament. I think we should not put too much pressure on them.

"We should believe them and they will score in the match against Norway."

One of China's scorers, Xie, the Player of the Match, is a fine example of how to overcome big match pressure.

"In the previous tournaments, I always took too much pressure and could not play my game," she said.

"After Domanski-Lyfors came to the team, she kept on encouraging all of us. As long as we do our best, she will not scold us even if we make mistakes."

China all but dominated the first half with 13 shots against the Kiwi's nil, but the performance still lacked precision.

Just a minute in, veteran ace Zhang Ouying fired a chance that was only thwarted by brilliant New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon.

Ma and Bi Yan's long shots at the edge of the area in the opening minutes also just missed the target.

Zhang and Han came even closer in the 14th minute as China penetrated New Zealand's defense again.

But Zhang failed to beat the goalkeeper and the blocked ball went to Han who inexplicably missed the empty net.

China ratcheted up its offense as Han tested the Kiwi goalkeeper again eight minutes later.

An effort by AFC Women's Player of the Year Ma, who dribbled past three defenders, only to see her angled shot blocked, began to frustrate the host team and the vocal crowd.

But China continued to control the game in the second half in which the first serious chance came in the 54th minute.

Central-back Li, who scored China's first goal in the tournament during the opening win against Denmark, failed to head a pinpoint pass in further frustration.

But it was finally Li who broke the stalemate again two minutes later.

She jumped high inside the area and headed Zhou Gaoping's free kick into the net.

Attacking forces Ma and Han were both impressive in the following minutes - a Han header was tipped over the bar and a Ma missile hit the crossbar.

Finally Xie mounted a brilliant solo attack to extend the lead 11 minutes from the whistle, coolly beating a number of challengers to drive the ball into the net with a shot along the ground.

(China Daily 09/21/2007 page24)