Womens 2007 World Cup; match 23

Group D, 20/9/07 in Tianjin.

China v. New Zealand

China: Y.Zhang, G.Zhou (Y.Liu 65), J.Li, K.Wang, W.Pu, C.Xie, Y.Bi, L.Pan (T.Zhang 60), X.Ma, O.Zhang (S.Liu 88), D.Han.

New Zealand: J.Bindon, R.Percival (M.Smith 73), R.Smith, M.Jackman, A.Erceg, P.Duncan, E.McColl (S.Ferrara 82), H.Moorwood, M.Oostdam, A.Riley, W.Henderson (Z.Thompson 62).

China had to beat New Zealand and hope that Denmark didn't beat Brazil to qualify. They would have been confident of fulfilling their part of the bargain against a New Zealand side that has had damage limitation as its' primary objective in this competition.

For all their possession and neat approach play the hosts struggled to break down a packed New Zealand defence in the first half, however.

Han Duan knocked down one high ball into the path of Zhang Ouying but Jenny Bindon was equal to her effort.

Bindon then came out to deny the same player in a one on one situation but the ball broke free to Han Duan who could not force the ball home from a narrow angle.

Ma Xiaoxu did brilliantly to wriggle her way deep into the New Zealand penalty area but having found space she shot from a prohibitive angle rather than pull the ball back and Bindon was able to save with her feet.

When Ma Xiaoxu did receieve a pull back from a more unslefish colleague she could only find the side netting with her shot.

The first half had been a frustrating exercise for China and the second half promised to bring more of the same until Bindon, excellent hitherto, made a crucial mistake.

China sent a free kick deep into the New Zealand box and Bindon decided to come and punch but did not get there in time and Li Jie was able to glance a header into the empty net.

New Zealand now tried to retaliate and missed two great chances to get back on terms. Abby Erceg stabbed over from close range when the ball broke to her following a free kick before Zoe Thompson missed an even better chance.

Li Jie made a complete hash of clearing a routine ball down the middle and left Thompson running through on goal. With the keeper stranded Thompson could only poke an ugly shot wide of the far post, however.

China resumed control after this and Bindon saved well from Han Duan before Ma Xiaoxu forced her way through a couple of challenges to belt an effort against the bar.

China finally put the game to bed with just over ten minutes remaining when Ma Xiaoxu fed Xie Caixia in space down the right hand side of the box and she coolly stepped inside a retreating defender before firing home the clinching goal.

So China qualify but they will need to step up a level if they are to progress beyond the quarter finals.

Full Time: China 2 New Zealand 0