Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: China PR secured a place in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018 semi-finals and a spot at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup thanks to a comfortable 3-0 Group A win over the Philippines on Monday.
Li Ying’s brace and a superb Ma Jun effort crowned an efficient display by the table-topping East Asians as they followed up their Matchday One defeat of Thailand with a victory which, coupled with Thailand’s subsequent win over host nation Jordan, assured them of both progress at the continental gathering and a berth at France 2019.
Having impressed for large parts of their opening day success, China, minus long-term injury victim Xue Jiao and an ill Wang Shanshan, began brightly at the King Abdullah II Stadium, with midfield dynamo Ren Guixin unleashing a shot from distance which Kearra Bastes-Jones did well to tip over her bar.
As the Philippines slowly began to gain a foothold in the match, China broke the deadlock on 17 minutes when Ren turned Gu Yasha’s cross onto the post and Li Ying lashed home the resulting rebound from close-range to register her second goal of the tournament.
China, clearly buoyed by their early breakthrough, doubled their lead shortly after the half hour mark, Ma making the most of hesitant Philippines to beat Bastes-Jones with a fine drive from 12 yards.
In the last meaningful action of an intriguing first half, Hali Long reacted well to block a Ren shot and Zhang Rui forced Bastes-Jones into another fine stop as China threatened to extend their advantage ahead of the break.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup/photo/album_philippines_v_china_pr_-_wac2018.html
ALBUM: Philippines v China PR - #WAC2018