Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Nanjing: China scored an equaliser in the stoppage time and then went on to win the third-place playoff of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2013 by beating Thailand 4-2 in the penalty shootout on Sunday.
Both the sides were held at 2-2 in the regulation time after second half substitute Wu Yue scored in the fourth minute of the additional time forcing the match into penalty shootout.
Yue then converted from the spot alongside with Wang Ying, Qui Manman and Fan Yuqiu while only Sudarat Chuchuen and Tuket Wanwisa were able to find the net for the Thais during the shootout.
“It’s very disappointing to lose a match like this,” Thailand coach Srathongvian Nuengrutai said after the match.
“We should have won the match as we were excellent throughout apart from that final minute when we conceded the equaliser.
“That (the goal) was resulted from the lack of concentration and I won’t really blame my players for the penalty shootout failures,” she added.
Playing a big match to decide a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year, Thailand conceded a goal in the 18th minute to midfielder Liu Yan but recovered in the second half as they scored an equaliser through Janthawan Thanakorn in the 47th minute.
Chuchuen, who was successful in converting from the spot in the penalty shootout, put Thailand on lead in the 67th minute but stoppage time Chinese equaliser forced the match into penalty kicks.
“We need long term preparation and development to make our team mature,” conceded Chinese coach Gao Hong.
“We struggled in front of the goal throughout this tournament so that is one of the areas where we need to improve massively.
“For short-term we worked on those areas and learnt how to grab the opportunities. The goal from Wu Yue was very special and it mattered a lot to finish this tournament on a high,” she added.