Fifa Women’s World Cup: China striker Wang Shuang backs coach despite Steel Roses facing group stage failure
- China must beat England on Tuesday and hope Haiti can pull off a miracle against Denmark
- Defensive approach by coach Shui Qingxia, which has included leaving Wang on the bench at the start of games, has raised questions
China must beat England on Tuesday if they are to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup, and Wang Shuang said she had complete confidence in coach Shui Qingxia’s tactics despite questions over the team’s defensive approach.
Defeat in the opening game to Denmark, and a fortunate 1-0 win over Haiti on Friday when down to 10 players, leaves China in a position of having to win if they are not to be the first Steel Roses side to fail to get out of the group stage.
Even then, Wang Shuang and her teammates need Haiti to deny Denmark a victory in the other game in Group D, something that is extremely unlikely.
Shui’s tactics, which have included moving striker Wang Shanshan into the centre of defence and starting games with forwards on the bench, have raised concerns among supporters.
But Wang Shuang, who scored a late penalty against Haiti in Adelaide after coming on as a second-half substitute, said the team would be ready to take on the European champions.
“Confidence plays an important role because, even though we had one player fewer than Haiti, we never gave up,” Wang said. “We were very confident in the tactics and strategies laid out by our coach. So even though we had one player fewer than them, we were still able to win.
“I’ve already participated in three World Cups and I was able to score in this game, so I’m very proud of myself. I’m also very excited about the next match against England. I know they are a strong team, and we will prepare ourselves well to face England.”
China have qualified for seven of the eight editions of the Women’s World Cup held since the tournament was first held in 1991 and have always managed to progress beyond the group phase, although their hopes of maintaining that record now hang in the balance.
“I don’t believe we can reveal our strategy at the moment, it’s still too early,” Wang said after her match-winning penalty saw off the Haitians. “But I think as players we will do our best.
“Of course we all know that England is a very strong team. As a player I will do my best to prepare for the next match and do my best to implement the strategies and the instructions of the coach. We will go out to fight for every goal.”
After losing their opening game to Denmark to a last minute goal from Amalie Vangsgaard, China’s hopes of staying alive in the competition looked to have been scuppered in the 28th minute at Hindmarsh Stadium when Zhang Rui was sent off for a tackle that left Haitian midfielder Sherly Jeudy with blood streaming from a cut in her knee.
But Wang’s introduction from the bench at half-time brought some much needed creativity to Shui’s side and, after the 28-year-old slid her pass into the path of Zhang Linyan, the Chinese were awarded a spot-kick when the midfielder was upended by Ruthny Mathurin.
Wang made no mistake from the spot, rolling the ball in with goalkeeper Kerly Theus committing herself early to secure a vital victory.
The win gave the Chinese a timely boost after the disappointment of the opening loss against the Danes in Perth. But Shui, who has been credited with revitalising the team since her appointment in November 2021, was still forced to defend her approach at the tournament so far.
“Do you think my strategy is very defensive?” Shui said when asked about her tactics. “In the first games we don’t want to lose points, otherwise it will be very difficult. This is my strategy.
“Of course defence doesn’t mean being conservative. I don’t think my strategy was conservative or that we never strike or attack. We review and reflect all the time. I think that’s what the team needs to do for the next match.
“Maybe everyone wants to see a team that’s always attacking, but in reality I might choose different strategies.”
