Hats Off to Sun Wen in China Rout
After the sun set, Sun Wen rose to the occasion.
China’s top player scored twice in the first half and completed a hat trick with a left-footed shot in the 54th minute as China overpowered Ghana, 7-0, in first-round World Cup play Wednesday at Civic Stadium.
China, the top-seeded team in Group D, improved to 2-0 and clinched a berth in the quarterfinals with a performance that awed the many young soccer players in the crowd of 17,668 at Wednesday’s doubleheader.
Ghana (0-1-1) had managed a tie in its tournament opener, but was thoroughly outplayed by China. The yellow-clad Ghanaians are known for their aggressiveness, but that lapped over into roughness and earned them three yellow cards and one red card. Ghana was a player short for most of the second half, after Regina Ansah was ejected for an especially nasty tackle in the 52nd minute.
China, which defeated Sweden, 2-1, last Saturday, looked every bit the offensive machine that outscored its opponents, 37-1, in winning the Asian Cup. Jin Yan contributed a goal and an assist, substitute forward Zhang Ouying scored in the 82nd minute and goalkeeper Gao Hong had an easy evening while she watched her teammates dominate every facet.
“This showed the performance of the China team, but we really missed lots of other chances,” said China’s coach, Ma Yuanan. He added he told his players to be careful against Ghana’s rugged tactics. “I want them to play quick and to control their feelings.”
The fans showed no favorites, enjoying the occasion as a chance to be entertained on a warm and breezy summer evening.
“In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined what a great atmosphere we’d have at these games,” said Marla Messing, president and chief executive of the 1999 Women’s World Cup Organizing Committee and a spectator at Civic Stadium Wednesday.
