Sports
11:23, 29-Aug-2018
Women's soccer: China reach first Asian Games final in 20 years
Updated
10:46, 01-Sep-2018
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China are through to their first Asian Games final in 20 years after grinding out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chinese Taipei in a gripping women's soccer encounter.
China will play against Japan on Friday after it narrowly edged out South Korea 2-1 in Tuesday's other semi-final.
Wang Shanshan scored the only goal of the game – her 12th in the tournament – side-footing a first-time effort past Cai Mingzhen in the second half.
The Steel Roses, who last reached an Asiad final in 1998, started in confident fashion. Gu Yasha combined with Paris Saint-Germain star Wang Shuang, who failed to hit the target with an effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Chinese Taipei was trying to stay compact but struggled to keep China at bay. Wang Shanshan made an excellent run to the near post to meet Zhang Rui's cross. The striker made good contact with her left foot but was unlucky to hit the woodwork.
Wang Shanshan (R) scored the only goal of the game to send China into the final of Asiad women's soccer. /VC Photo
Wang Shanshan (R) scored the only goal of the game to send China into the final of Asiad women's soccer. /VC Photo
China continued to pile the pressure on and Zhang Rui was the next to get close, blazing a shot from outside of the area. But she could not beat Cai Mingzhen, who clawed the ball away from the goal.
China finally made the breakthrough in the 50th minute through Wang Shanshan who was picked out by a pinpoint cross from the ruthless Wang Shuang.
China nearly grabbed a second when Wang Shanshan almost turned a brilliant cross past Cai Mingzhen, while Zhao Rong had an opportunity to wrap up victory three minutes from time, but her left-footed shot was denied by another stunning save from Cai.
Despite China securing a nail-biting victory, head coach Jia Xiuquan was bitterly disappointed they could not score more goals and urged his players to be more clinical in the final third.
"We learned a lesson from today's match. We had so many chances but our players did not take it," said Jia.
"More efforts are needed to improve our performance in the final."