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Soccer: China sink Canada 3-1 to reach semis
An impressive two-goal performance from Zhang Ying saw China past Canada in the second FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship quarter-final from Bangkok on 21 November.
The Canadians, deprived of number-one goalkeeper Stacey Van Boxmeer in only the first minute, never quite found their rhythm as China march on to a semi-final date with Brazil at the Supachalasai Stadium on 24 November.
The match started with a ringing volley of incident as Chinese midfielder Lou Xiaoxu rounded Van Boxmeer and went to ground in a heap. Though there appeared to be minimal - if any - contact, referee Anna De Toni of Italy did not hesitate pointing to the spot and brandishing red for the Canuck keeper. Zhang Ying coolly put her spot kick past still-cold stand-in Stephanie Labbe to see China into the lead…and all this in within three minutes (0-1, 3'). It was the fastest sending off in FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship history. "It's not easy to come back after going down a player and conceding a goal so early," Canada coach Ian Bridge said after the match. "After looking at the replays, it really looked like the wrong call … but that's football."
The Canadians, renowned for their fighting spirit, appeared profoundly deflated by the early setback. And their significant woes were doubled when Zhang's free kick snuck inside Labbe's far post to increase the lead (0-2, 21'). The Canadians did their best to battle back before the break. But hampered by their numerical disadvantage, they struggled significantly in a hard-fought first half. China, for their part, reaffirmed their reputation as one of the most organised sides at these finals as they refused to get pulled out of position. With a few chances to increase their lead, the stifling Asians were keeping top scorer Brittany Timko conspicuously quiet in attack for the Canucks. China came out from the break with renewed spirit, and Zhang's shot from 20 yards had Labbe scrambling to push it out for a corner in the 51st minute. Lou Xiaoxu tried another crack ten minutes later after a fine run, but the effort slipped wide of the far post. The Canadians though, did not take long in using their smashing ability from distance to force their way onto the scoreboard. As she had done against Germany in the last group match, fiery skipper Kara Lang hammered in a free kick from the centre circle that keeper Zhang Yanru simply could not hang onto. And the rampant Timko was there on the doorstep to poke home for her seventh goal of the finals - best overall (1-2, 63'). The celebrations did not last though, as only two minutes later, a miscue from Labbe allowed Liu Sa in to poke 'cool-as-you-like' into an empty Canadian net (1-3, 65'). Coming off her line to play the ball, the North American could not take control. Standing with her head in her hands as the Chinese celebrated, the poor number-two was a picture of distress. In the end, the scoreline stood as the favourites and finalists from Canada 2002 littered the pitch in wounded, rueful despair following the final whistle. "I couldn't be more proud of my players," Bridge added. "They played wonderfully considering the circumstances." China - who must consider themselves fortunate to have such an easy time - will now take on Brazil in a rematch of their final Group B clash at the Supachalasai. Brazil won the first meeting 2-1 on 16 November. China coach Wang Haiming was pleased with his side's performance and relishing another crack at Brazil in the last four. "My players did exactly what I asked of them, and I am so pleased to see them into the semi-finals," he told reporters after the match. "We will make some changes for the match against Brazil…and hopefully the result will be a bit different this time," he added with a smile. |
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