China rout Nigeria to reach int'l women's football tournament final

World
Europe

China got off to a winning start to their preparations for this summer's FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, brushing African champions Nigeria aside on Thursday night with a commanding 3-0 win at the Wuhua Four-Nation tournament in Meizhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

The Steel Roses will have the opportunity to avenge their male counterparts' mid-week Asian Cup defeat to arch-rivals South Korea when they take on the Red Devils, who also reached the final after cruising Romania the same day.

The biggest talking point prior to the opening encounter was the question of whether Paris Saint-Germain star Wang Shuang would enter the starting lineup after the 23-year-old arrived from France on Monday following his club's 3-1 victory over Lille, during which she continued her superb form by converting a penalty.

Wang Shuang (C) comes off the bench to inspire China to victory over Nigeria in their game of an international tournament in Meizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, January 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

It turned out China coach Jia Xiuquan had taken a calculated risk by leaving Wang on the bench and only summoned her in the second half to inject some impetus into the team. By the time the 'Lady Messi' set foot on the field, China has made their dominance count on the scoreboard after birthday girl Zhang Rui volleyed home a fantastic opener.

However, the hosts took their foot off the pedal to some degree after that, allowing Nigeria to create several half-chances. The danger with just one goal separating the teams was that Thomas Dennerby's ladies might sneak back into the game and share the spoils with a single effective attack, yet Wang came off the bench and dashed any hopes the Nigerians had of fighting back.

It was the PSG midfielder's perfectly-weighted through ball which sent Chinese Li Ying in behind the opponent's defense just after the hour mark and the visiting goalkeeper failed to stop China doubling their lead as Li slotted home from an acute angle.

Chinese supporters wave flags during the Wuhua Four-Nation international women's football tournament opener against Nigeria in Meizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, January 17, 2019. /VCG Photo

Still, a long way short of her dominant best after a long-haul trip, Wang went close several times, with one audacious shot trickling agonizingly wide of the far post after she slalomed past four hapless defenders.

The visitors went into damage limitation mode in the latter stages of the game before Li added further gloss to the scoreline in added time to send China into the final.