China has proven their credentials as a title fancy as not even the heavy Sydney rain could stop them as they claimed a 2-1 win over DPR Korea at Western Sydney Stadium.
The stakes could not have been higher, with China needing nothing less than a win to top their group. Meanwhile, DPR Korea only had to draw to achieve the same.
Both teams had equal possession over the course of the first half, with China’s long passes proving a threat and DPR Korea’s corners becoming more lethal as the game went on.
The momentum quickly picked up half an hour into the match when Han Jin-hong crossed the ball into Kim Kyong-yong who slotted the ball into the Chinese net. While a jubilant moment, DPR Korea’s advantage was short lived because, just two minutes later, Chen Qiazhu scored off the back of a corner, to bring China level.
Saving the best for last, China finally got another leg-up on their opposition when Wang Shuang scored in the fourth minutes of added time at the end of the first half.
But before China could celebrate, Wang’s goal was ruled offside and as such, was subject to additional VAR checks. Much to the dismay of their DPR Korean opponents, the goal stood and China headed to the break ahead, however, the DPR Korean team and staff made their discontent known to referee Thi Ly Le.
As the second half commenced, both teams were eagerly chasing after another goal; for China to give them a two-goal cushion, while for DPR Korea it was to get them back into the game.
DPR Korea pushed hard for an equaliser that would give them top spot. Their luck seemed to take a turn for the better when Choe Il-son was subbed on and subsequently scored in the 80th minute. In a crushing blow to DPR Korea, however, Choe’s goal was deemed offside and China were able to see out the remaining time to seal a magical win.
In the earlier game, Uzbekistan, needing four goals to guarantee a spot in the quarter-finals, wasted no time to get going.
Diyorakhon Khabibullaeva burst through the wobbly Bangladesh back line in the tenth minute to drive it past Mile Akter and give Uzbekistan the lead. Going a goal down, Bangladesh composed themselves, producing structured attacks, however it was to no avail, as they faltered entering the final third.
The second half saw some squad rotation coming in from Kotryna Kulbyte, which paid dividends for the West Asian side. Dildora Nozimova scored twice in four minutes to make it three for Uzbekistan, both times getting assisted by low driving curling crosses to get her nation closer to the line.
Asalkhon Aminjon seemed to have scored that needed fourth strike, but VAR had other plans, denying the 18-year-old a moment of history.
But from the attacking pressure, goal number four was imminent and came courtesy of Nilufar Kudratova, who controlled the ball on the edge of the box, and smashed it low to make it 4-0 for Uzbekistan, booking her side’s place in the knockout stage via the third place rankings.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Wang Shuang is a force to be reckoned with: Wang Shuang showed herself to be a commanding presence on the pitch for the duration of China’s game against DPR Korea. Besides her scoring ability, Wang also has a reputation for her precise set-pieces, some of which have set China up for chances on goal and could prove useful going forward.
It was her winning goal that sealed China’s place atop Group B, thus avoiding a clash with home side Australia in the quarter-finals.
Bangladesh have a bright future: Bangladesh’s campaign came to an end today, but it’s not all bad for Peter Butler and his team. Coming in as the lowest ranked nation at 112th, and having the youngest squad with an average of 21, it is still a positive debut campaign for Bangladesh to look back on.
Having challenged defending and record champions China in their opening game, keeping the giants to just 2-0, to consistently pushing on the attack against DPR Korea and Uzbekistan, rather than parking than the bus as most teams at their level would, shows that this team has the grit and potential of becoming a formidable opposition in the near future.
WHAT THEY SAID
Peter Butler – Bangladesh coach: “Now I go away and I do a little bit of a think about what I want to do moving forwards. I’ll go back to England and we’ll take it from there. Well I won’t be here. Because I’m going back to England next week and I’ll have a good think about my future and decide what I want to do. That’s been in my mind for a long time.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
The result in Western Sydney means DPR Korea must now travel to Perth to play Australia in a quarter-final; a match that a few days ago was every chance to be the Final.
China, meanwhile, will also travel to Perth to face the runner-up in Group C which will be decided tomorrow. Uzbekistan has confirmed their spot in the quarter-finals, but must now wait to find out their opponent, which will be either Korea Republic or Japan.
With Anirudh Nair
