China’s Women’s National Football Team earned their first victory in the ongoing edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup beating Haiti 1-0 in their Group D encounter on Friday at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide. The victory came as a result of a valiant effort by the entire Chinese team despite playing over the final hour with only 10 players. In the end, it was Wang Shuang penalty strike that turned out to be the only goal of the match, giving China their first win in the tournament.
While the play was quite evenly matched during the first 30 minutes of the game, the Chinese team received a massive blow when Zhang Rui performed a a reckless high tackle on Sherly Jeudy in the 29th minute, which prompted the referee to slap an immediate red card on the midfielder.
Wang Shuang kept China’s Women’s World Cup campaign alive by converting a penalty in the 74th minute to help her team seal a crucial 1-0 win over Haiti. The victory allowed China to grab a crucial three-pointer, having lost their opening game of the world cup against Denmark.
As for the match, China dominated with the ball, keeping most of the possession following the kick-off. Their first promising effort at scoring came in the 16th minute when Lou Jiahui managed to direct a spectacular acrobatic shot at the goal, but the shot lacked power and was easily saved by Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus.
As Zhang Rui was sent off the field following her rough tackle on Haiti’s Sherly Jeudy and the resulting red card, the Carribeans tried to make the most of the advantage, sending relentless waves of attacks. They almost got the opening goal of the match just before the end of half time, but the goal was disallowed for offside. but China defended resolutely to guard themselves from the possible damage.
Haiti kept going with the attack, while also maintain their strong defense as China made efforts to get the opening goal. Substitute Melchie Dumornay made a fantastic save when China’s Zhu Yu fired a side-footed shot at the goal. China finally broke the deadlock in the 74th minute through a welcome penalty. Haiti’s Ruthny Mathurin performed a clumsy tackle to take down Zhang Linyan in the box, with the referee awarding a Chinese penalty, much to the dismay of Team Haiti and their coach.
Substitute Wang Shuang stepped into the penalty shot and was able to successfully convert the spot, giving her side the opening goal and the much-needed advantage. Haiti pushed hard in search of an equalizer and had two penalty claims denied in a frantic closing spell, but China held on to their nerves and eventually clinching the victory, despite playing with just 10 players.
China will next face-off against the English team on Tuesday, who are for now sitting comfortably at the top spot with six points. The winner of the match would pretty much be ascertained a spot into the knockouts. On the other side, Haiti is yet to win a match in the tournament and currently have no points, following their defeats against England and China. Their only chance of making it to the top 16 would be if they beat Denmark on Tuesday and if other results go in their Favour.
If China are able to beat England in their next and Denmark can defeat Haiti, then China, Denmark, and England, would all have six points and the top two teams to qualify for the knockout stage will be determined by the goal difference.
