China鈥檚 Wu eyeing history against USA
Print Edition
CHINA captain Wu Haiyan was only six years old when ‘The Steel Roses’ competed in their only Women’s World Cup final.
That time, their rivals the United States won a penalty shootout to break Chinese hearts in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
Sixteen years on, a new-look Chinese side will be bidding to bury those painful memories against the “Stars and Stripes” in the quarterfinals at Ottawa’s Lansdowne Stadium. “I didn’t watch the match at that time. I watched replays later in life. It was an exciting and historical moment,” said the 22-year-old defender. “I hope we can create history too.”
That run by China to the final inspired Wu’s teammate Wang Shanshan to take up football. “I was in primary school, but I remember watching it very well. That was when my dream started, when China played so well to reach the World Cup final. Sun Wen was my favorite player and my hero at that time,” said the 25-year-old defender.
It was also the last time the United States won the title, having also lifted the inaugural trophy in 1991 in China. The second-ranked Americans are rated 14 places above their opponents. China has additional motivation, having also lost out on gold to the USA at the 1996 Olympics.
China coach Hao Wei, back on the sidelines after being banished to the stands for its last-16 win over Cameroon, had more practical things than revenge on his mind.
“What’s past is past. We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s match. We’ve prepared for everything including extra time and a penalty shootout,” he said. “I don’t think it’s vengeance or anything like that. It’s just a match we have to approach in our usual mindset. We haven’t played the US for a long time on such a scale.
“If we put on a good performance this will be a boost for the sport in China.”
The Americans will be without two of their key players — Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday — through suspension.
But US captain Christie Rampone, the only survivor from the 1999 final, is still playing for the United States at age 40.
Rampone, capped 307 times, remained on the bench during that match in Pasadena. She could also start on the bench while, Abby Wambach, if she scores, would join Brazil’s Marta as the record all-time World Cup goal scorer.
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