Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: A good start but more to come was the verdict of China coach Hao Wei following his side’s 7-0 win over Thailand in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Group B opener at Thong Nhat Stadium on Wednesday.
Hao saw striker Yang Li in particularly clinical form as she netted four times to add to goals from Li Dongna, Li Ying and Xu Yanlu against a Thailand side that competed bravely but were undone by a lack of quality in the backline and up front.
The comprehensive victory puts the eight-time champions into second place in the Group B table behind Korea Republic who earlier recorded a 12-0 drubbing of Myanamar, but the Steel Roses can still up their game several gears, according to coach Hao.
“I’d like to congratulate my team for the win today, but I think we can do even better with finishing off our chances, as we missed several one-on-ones that would allow us to relax more in the game,” said coach Hao.
“We should put more attention in training to creating and seizing these kinds of opportunities to help our goal difference which could be an important factor in our group.
“But my team is relatively young and the players can and will improve in using our strategies and tactics so I am not too concerned at the moment.”
For Thailand coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian her plan to keep the game tight in the opening spell were blown apart inside 10 minutes by the early goals from Li Dongna and Li Ying and she then saw the midfield heart ripped out of the body of her team as Ainon Phancha and Naphat Seesraum left the field with injuries in the first half.
“This was really the turning point in the game, they are two key players for us and losing both in the first period really affected the team,” said coach Nuengrutai.
“We had planned to defend early on and keep the scores level before hitting China on counterattacks but that tactic was also ruined after we conceded two goals in the first 10 minutes.
“Our defending today was disappointing but the attack of the China is very, very good.”