WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2003 China PR 0 : 1 Canada
Photo of Canada's Charmain Hooper by Gerard Robbins

Oct 3-2003 - Canada made an early goal from veteran Charmaine Hooper stand up despite constant pressure to shock China 0-1 book their first-ever spot in the FIFA Women's World Cup semi-finals. The North Americans will now face Sweden in the last four in Portland on 5 October. The other match in that double-header will feature the United States and today's other winner Germany.

Finalists four years ago, China turned their 65% of possession into 16 shots, but as was the case in their group matches, they disappointed up front despite their immense skill on the ball.

"It is obvious that China cannot overcome the deep or concentrated defenses through the past several matches," said China head coach Ma Liangxing. "I will be responsible for this. Our players have tried real hard today and they were well prepared for today. They performed well tonight."

Canada hero Hooper, however, bubbled excitement.

"This is the biggest win for our women’s national team," Hooper said. "It’s bigger than anything we’ve done before, bigger than our World Cup qualifying final. This is going to be a huge step for our program and also it will be a huge step for women’s soccer in Canada. Four years ago I never imagined us being in the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup and didn’t even imagine us winning game and here we’ve won two games."

Canada head coach Even Pellerud credited an overall team effort as being the key to the victory.

"We had a lot of desire to win and that was the majour point, plus several great individual performances," Pellerud said. "All of the players worked extremely hard."

Canada came out the brighter side at the opening whistle and quickly pressed China back on their heels with their hard running and long balls. Hooper surprised the Chinese when she beat Han Wenxia to a long cross to give Canada an early lead. The forward-turned-defender stayed forward after a free kick and raced in unmarked as Diana Matheson knocked a ball in from deep on the left. The goal came just seconds after Han brilliantly steered a Christine Latham shot over the end line for a corner (0-1, 7’).

Sun Wen quickly showed that the early goal did little to rattle China as she banged a shot off the crossbar just minutes later (9’). The match then took on the flavour of a track meet as both teams raced from end to end. Bai Jie headed a ball just wide after a flurry while Christine Sinclair tested Han just seconds later with a 19-metre shot (14’).

The impressive Sun Wen had another chance as she rounded three different challenges at the edge of the Canadian area only to fire the ball wide (17’). The frantic action continued as Zhao broke free to zip a shot past Canadian goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek, but it sailed wide (23’). The Canadians turned right around, but Sinclair could not quite reach a long ball in the Chinese area (25’). The impressive Swiatek then raced off her line to grab a Wang Liping cross (27’).

The pace remained, but neither team was able to create a clear chance. China attacked in numbers with a beautiful possession game, while Canada tried to muscle their way towards goal. Bi Yen received an exquisite pass from Sun Wen, but hit wide from the middle of the box (37’).

China built up still another opportunity but neither Liu Yali, Sun Wen nor Bai Jie could tee up a shot (42’). China claimed the final chance of the half as Bi Yan fired a shot, but it was right at Swiatek (45’).

China quickly re-established their possession game at the start of the second half but still could not turn possession into goals. Zhao had a golden opportunity for an equaliser, but she fired it right at Swiatek (50’). The Canada goalkeeper then dove at the feet of Sun Wen to snuff out another chance (52’).

Canada looked to break quickly the other way in between moments of pressure, but Latham could not quite catch up to an Andrea Neil long ball (55’). Sun Wen then led yet another Chinese attack as she rounded Silvana Burtini and crossed for Zhao, but the midfielder’s shot landed on top of the net (56’).

Even when China seemed to have a clear shot, the Canada defence was there. Ren Liping uncorked a sizzling shot, but it was right at Swiatek (68’). Canada then nearly caught China napping as Lang fired in a cross that first Latham then Sinclair tried to knock in but Han came off her line and knocked it away (71’). China came right back and Swiatek stopped a low drive from Zhang Ouying (73’).

The final quarter hour became a test of wills as China again and again swarmed forward only to meet a wall of Canadian defenders. A long ball in from Liu Yali landed safely in Swiatek’s arms while seconds later Swiatek stopped Bai Jie (78’). Han then made a clutch save on Sinclair at the end of a Canadian counterattack (80’).

In the dying minutes, Zhang Ouying led China the other way and crossed a lovely ball to the far post that beat Swiatek, but Sun Wen then Teng Wei just missed (82’). Sun Wen then lofted a free kick well over the net after a foul by Hooper (85’). Sun Wen again found her way into the penalty area, but her shot, like so many others from China, ended in Swiatek’s hands (91’).

A frustrating night for the Chinese, but as the whistle sounded the jubilant Canadians rushed onto the field to celebrate their most significant victory ever in women's football.

Source: FIFA.com

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