China beat Mexico 1-0 to extend their winning streak to two on
Wednesday at the 2007 International Women's Soccer Invitational
Tournament, while Italy shook off the down form to beat Thailand
5-0 at the newly completed Wulihe Stadium.
After two matches for each team, the four-nation event,
co-hosted by Qinhuangdao and Shenyang, both the cities with the
soccer venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, came close to the
end as China topped the table on six points and Italy followed on
four.
Each team has one match left back to Qinhuangdao on Saturday
before the best two setting up the final against each other on
Tuesday in Shenyang, while the other two settling for a third
place.
Wednesday's victory marked revenge from the hosts after Mexico
drew China 1-1 in the last and crucial group match to stop the 1999
World Cuprunners-up from qualifying for the knockout stage of the
Athens Olympic Games soccer tournament in 2004.
Also it boosted a lot for the reviving Chinese side, who are
trying to harvest some confidence after a decade in losing jinx
while preparing for the upcoming World Cup this September to be
held in five cities of China.
Han Duan, whose double helped the hosts whitewash Thailand 4-0
on Sunday in Qinhuangdao, scored the only goal for China after
veteran striker Zhang Ouying's second attempt on goal was again
bounced back by Mexican defenders after seven minutes into the
second half.
The hosts took control of the match right into it with a
well-organized midfield, while the 31-year-old Zhang Ouying, who
rejoined the Chinesenational squad after having retired from soccer
in 2005, lingering on the right wing to seek for scoring
opportunities and Han Duan running tirelessly to cover full stretch
in front.
However, the first half ended up on 0-0 with China making seven
shots against Mexico's two, each having one on goal, two corner
kicks against the rival's none, but 12 fouls while only three from
the South Americans after a full 45-minutes plus two minutes injury
stoppage time.
The situation repeated itself in the second half, when Chinese
players created a lot of scoring opportunities but declined to
convert them into goals, until the hosts' attacking duo finally
enhanced their chances in front of the mouth.
In the other game played Wednesday evening, Italy finally showed
their real teeth after being held by Mexico three days ago in
Qinhuangdao, breezing past Asian underdogs Thailand 5-0 to keep
their hope alive of making the final.
The Azzurri, ranked 13th in FIFA's world standings, just two
positions behind the Chinese, opened scoring in the 19th minute
with captain Patrizia Panico, 32, was picked by the ball leaked out
of the hand of Thailand's goalie Waraporn Boonsing who tried to
save an attack in earlier seconds but ran too far from the
mouth.
Midfield Tatiana Zorri added the second on penalty for Italy
just three minutes into the second half, before Panico improved
herself to a double scoring in the 75th minute after a superb solo
run.
It's far from the end of Italy's attacking show. Substitute
Silvia Fuselli, who was brought in by head coach Pietro Ghedin on
59 minute to take the place of Melania Gabbiadini, broke through on
goal from right of the box after being picked out by a lovely cross
ball from the other side.
Just a minute later, Sukunya Peangthem's own goal awarded Italy
a 5-0 victory.
(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2007)