July 28, (THEWILL) – In a tense encounter at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Wang Shuang proved to be the saviour for the Chinese team as they kept their Women’s World Cup dreams alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Haiti.
The Steel Roses displayed unwavering determination despite being a player short for most of the match after Zhang Rui’s early red card. Dominating possession from the outset, China had to weather relentless attacks from their opponents but ultimately secured the win when Wang converted a penalty in the 74th minute. With this crucial victory, China now prepares to face England, while Haiti’s hopes of progression rest on a favorable result against Denmark.
China’s early dominance was evident when Lou Jiahui attempted a spectacular shot on goal in the 16th minute, only to be denied by Haiti’s goalkeeper Kerly Theus. However, the match’s turning point came in the 29th minute when Zhang Rui’s reckless challenge earned her a straight red card, putting China at a numerical disadvantage. Despite the setback, China’s defense held firm and thwarted Haiti’s attempts to capitalise on their extra player. The Caribbean side pushed hard in search of an equaliser, but Zhu Yu’s remarkable save denied Haiti substitute Melchie Dumornay.
In the end, it was Wang Shuang who proved to be the match-winner, coolly converting a penalty after Zhang Linyan was fouled in the 74th minute, securing a vital victory for China. With this win, China now has three points from two games in Group D, setting up a crucial showdown against England on Tuesday.
Haiti, on the other hand, finds themselves with no points after two defeats but can still progress if they manage to beat Denmark on the same day and receive favorable results from other matches. The Chinese team’s resilience and ability to triumph under pressure bode well for their upcoming challenges in the tournament.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
