China pays penalty in Cup opener
Print Edition
CHRISTINE Sinclair’s controversial late penalty got host Canada off to a winning start at the Women’s World Cup on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over China, as the Netherlands beat New Zealand by the same scoreline.
The Group A doubleheader in Edmonton kicked off four weeks of football across Canada and was preceded by an opening ceremony in front of a packed and passionate crowd of 53,038 at the Commonwealth Stadium.
And the party atmosphere amid a sea of red and white flags was complete when 31-year-old Sinclair stepped up two minutes into added time to slot in a penalty awarded for a foul on substitute Adriana Leon by Zhao Rong in the box.
It was Canada captain Sinclair’s 154th goal in 224 internationals.
“Only one woman in the world could step up like that in the 90th minute and write that script,” said Canada coach John Herdman. “I’m glad we could sneak a win. We have the three points and are on the road.”
Canada, the Olympic bronze medalists, had been desperate for all three points to set itself up as a challenger at its home tournament.
For the young Chinese team, nicknamed The Steel Roses, it was a first defeat in their opening match of a World Cup.
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