Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: China PR head coach Hesterine de Reus is under no illusions as to the quality of her team’s AFC U-19 semi-final opponents Japan, but, come what may, she sees the crucial match as an opportunity for her young team to learn.
A win will see the Young Steel Roses return to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after missing out in 2016, but the experienced Dutchwoman said her team is focusing solely on the 90 minutes ahead.
“Of course playing in a world Cup is fantastic for players,” said the former head coach of Australia and Jordan’s women’s national teams.
“That’s a great opportunity to further your talent because all the matches there are at a really high level - but to play there, you first have to win a ticket, so we’re not focusing on the ticket, we’re focusing on the next match and that match is against Japan.
“Football is all about playing to win, but we also realise it’s a very difficult job because Japan is a very strong team in this tournament.
“Our players play in youth leagues, so it’s a big, big, big step up to play against one of the top nations, but that’s also a challenge and an opportunity to learn from this tournament.”
Chasing their first AFC U-19 Women’s title since 2006, China won their first two matches, before falling to a 2-0 defeat against a very strong DPR Korea outfit in their most recent fixture.
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