|
|
China's "Steel Roses" boosted ahead of World Cup (3) |
 |
+ |
- |
08:40, July 11, 2007 |
World No. 13 Italy, the highest ranked side among the hosts'' rivals, were trounced 3-1 by China in their last round-robin match Saturday in Qinhuangdao, after the Chinese women routed Thailand 5-0 in the opening game and edged Mexico 1-0 on July 4.
With four straight wins, the Chinese team is not as strong as it seems like.
Domanski, who repeated to call on attacking, failed to see new killers emerged from the reserve team, though she listed up a 34-member roster and made many trials on lining-ups during the tournament.
China''s key striker Han Duan proved herself unreplaceable, collecting 10 goals in 4 outings in the four-nation tourney, while veteran forward Zhang Ouying, who just returned to international soccer from two-year retirement, scored once as she showed the same fine skills and swift paces but apparently lacked in physical force.
The Swede''s next hope will be on Ma Xiaoxu, the AFC''s Women''s Player of the Year, who promised to join Domanski''s squad later this month, but Ma''s days with the Swedish women''s soccer champions Umea IK may take her more time in tune with her Chinese teammates.
China have already been seeded alongside defending champions Germany, the United States and Norway for the Women''s World Cup 2007 slated for Sept. 10-30 in Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Chengdu, with a total of 16 teams of the highest level are going to attend.
For the upcoming showpiece, the last major women''s soccer event prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Domanski will be bound to work under huge pressure after Chinese sports officials set the squad a minimum target of a semifinal finish.
Source: Xinhua
[1] [2] [3]
|
|
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article