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China beat Norway 3-1; top standings
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-01-20 21:41 An in-form China squad
triumphed over Norway 3-1 in convincing way to climb on top of the standings at
the Four Nation Women's Soccer Tournament 2006 China on Friday in Guangzhou.
China now have four points from two games and are level with the United
States, and the hosts bettered the US with one more goal for the top spot.
France rank the third with two draws and Norway are the last with two defeats.
"I am happy with the victory. But I've found that Norway changed eight
players from the first match against the US. So we should stay cool. And we
still have a long way to go," said Chinese coach Ma Liangxing.
"We made several terrible mistakes at the defense. Our players are young and
three of them haven't played for Norway before. It's too easy for China to grab
the chances," commented Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen.
The Vikings made a high tempo opening, threatening the Chinese defense with
fast long balls and sharp set pieces in the first 10 minutes. Then the hosts
began to display their power. A two-pronged striking force made up of speedy Han
Duan and Ma Xiaoxu posed big problems for the Norwegian side.
Han Duan went close on two occasions with a mid-range drive and a neat header
following midfielder Bai Lili's curving free kick. The 23-year-old forward broke
the deadlock one minute before the interval with an accurate header after
midfielder Bi Yan's center from the right flank.
Bi Yan doubled the advantage for China 10 minutes into the second half,
firing a stunning left foot heavy drive from 25 meters to beat a helpless Ingrid
Hjelmseth. Midfielder Marie Knutsen pulled one back for Norway with a low drive
in the box in the 62nd minute.
However, Ma Xiaoxu headed home at the near post following Wang Kun's cross
from the right on 69 minutes to seal victory.
Han Duan should have found her second goal in the game but was denied by the
referee for offside.
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