Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: When Andrea Pirlo steered Italy to the FIFA World Cup title in 2006, his name was on everyone's lips in China PR. Eleven years on, the midfielder again made headlines in the world's most populous country, but this time due to a comparison to a local female player.
The player likened to the Italian maestro is none other than Tan Ruyin, a 22-year-old central midfielder who has earned recognition as one of the country's biggest revelations over recent years. She started all four matches as the Steel Roses reached the last eight at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 Canada, before helping her side to the same knockout stage at last year's Olympic Women’s Football Tournament Rio 2016. And it was her eye-catching performances at Rio 2016 that truly established her as a new star.
The youngster showcased her creativity, vision and shrewdness with the ball as she dazzled a global audience in Brazil. Notably, she broke her international duck with a spectacular long-distance strike against South Africa, which left both opponents and viewers in awe. It was China's second group match at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, having lost the opener 3-0 to the hosts.
Bruno Bini's (pictured bottom, left) side led 1-0 and as the clock ticked towards the end, China’s desperate opponents threw everything forward as they sought a late equaliser. With so much hanging in the balance, Tan sealed the tie in unexpected fashion. Latching onto a clearance inside the centre circle, she took a touch before unleashing a dipping shot from 40 metres out, which cannoned off the crossbar and bounced into the net. The weight and spin she put on the ball was such that the Chinese media were quick to dub her ‘Lady Pirlo’.
"The coach (Bini) had urged me to open my national team account before the match," Tan told *FIFA.com* reflecting on the memorable strike. "He told me to try long-distance shots. When I took the ball, I watched the goalkeeper and I thought I could curl the ball past her. 'Go for it!', I told myself. Then I shot and it was a goal."
"I was happy that I scored my first goal in such fashion," continued Tan, who was shortlisted among just three nominees for last year's AFC Women's Player of the Year. "I am thankful to the people around me for their positive comments. But there is much work to do if I am to become a good player. I will keep working hard as usual and make consistent progress."
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/tan-ruyin_2_chn_fifa_jpg.html
