After a narrow 1-0 win in their first friendly on 22 August, China fell 3-2 to Nigeria on the 25th in their second warm-up in Linyi, Shandong province. In the end, the score actually flattered the hosts as they were three down after 85 minutes, and only a last gasp of two quick goals salvaged the pride of theSteel Roses.
China coach Ma Liangxing made significant changes to the team’s line-up prior to the encounter, apparently in an attempt to experiment with his team’s forward line. Veterans Sun Wen and Bai Jie both started, but Bai was withdrawn to her old position at left back and replaced up front by the younger Teng Wei. Zhao Lihong, the pillar of China’s midfield, was notably absent from the starting eleven.
For the Super Falcons of Nigeria the victory is welcome relief from a tough string of results that included the single goal loss to China, and 3-2 and 3-0 losses to Norway and Germany respectively.
An interesting duel
As expected, China came out strongly. In the 10th minute, Teng Wei was bundled off the ball, and when it fell to Sun Wen her clever strike flew just wide of the post. In the 32nd minute, it was Teng Wei’s turn to miss the target after a quick break.
After withstanding China’s initial onslaught, the African champions began venturing forward themselves. Spreading the ball well from wing to wing, it was their turn to test China’s new-look defence, and in the 37th minute, that pressure paid off. A well-worked move down the right found emerging scoring sensation Perpetua Nkwocha in space, and she set things rolling for Nigeria. And, just five minutes later, Nigeria’s number 10, Mercy Akide, slipped through a hole in China’s defence and the Africans had stretched the lead to 2-0.
China coach Ma revamped his side at the break, successively bringing in veterans Fan Yunjie and Zhang Ouying (who plays for San Diego in the WUSA) and nimble midfielder Pan Lina. Apart from the absence of Zhao Lihong, the Chinese quartet of Pu Wei, Pan Lina, Zhang Ouying and Liu Ying was virtually a first choice midfield.
The readjustment took time to have effect but eventually resulted in a series of dangerous crosses from Pu Wei and Zhang Ouying. In the 75th minute, Bai Jie jinked through into the box but a timely intervention by the Nigerian goalkeeper foiled her solo effort.
Another goal and a comeback
With China pushing forward, desperate for goals, they inevitably were vulnerable at the back. With only 10 minutes remaining and most of the home team committed to attack, Nigeria’s number seven Stella Mbachu had loads of space to round off a counterattack. Now China were three goals behind and facing an embarrassing rout that could effect their entire preparation process.
The Steel Roses responded admirably, however. First, in the 86th minute, defender Li Jie charged forward and crashed a long-range effort past the Nigerian keeper. A minute later Zhang Ouying blasted another long shot that was blocked, but the ball dropped to Fan Yunjie to score.
China continued to pile on the pressure in the dying minutes, but they could not find a way through. The Africans thus claim their first ever victory over China in four tries, and they now head into the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003 with that much more momentum than before.
China’s coach Ma’s stated aim for the warm-up matches was to try out new formations, have a look at different tactics and give new players some experience. What is clear from this match is that the China misses an attacking threat out of midfield when Liu Ailing is absent. The defence quite clearly may need another look as well in the three weeks before the start of USA 2003.
At the finals China are in Group D along with Ghana, Australia and Russia. Nigeria will face the United States, Sweden and Korea DPR in Group A.
|
