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| Words and images by Craig Stockdale. Nanjing China – Thursday September 26th |
Knowing the Australians were watching from the stands, China put on a clinical display that looked like a training drill and really highlighted the incredible difference between the two teams in both skill and execution on the pitch.
Within the first few minutes the Chinese forwards and midfielders ran amok with Chen Yudan opening proceedings followed swiftly by forward Wu Yue striking with a hat-trick of goals all by the 20 minute mark.
Not to be left out of the party Liu Yan scored another two goals that would later swell to five for the match, stamping her authority on the game and making the contest farcical.
With the score line sitting at 7-0 at half time the Chinese were not going to rest on their laurels and set about making a statement to the remaining teams at the tournament.
Enter the Dragon. The second half was all one way traffic with an unbelievable ten goals added to the scoreboard. Unfortunately for Bahrain, the first goal to China was an own goal from a mistake by the Bahrain defensive line. What followed was an absolute tirade of Chinese goals from all parts of the pitch.
With first half dominant forwards Wu and Chen substituted it was obvious the Chinese coach was looking to rest her big guns for the game against Australia and replacements Cui Yuhan and Shen Lufan made an immediate impact. Cui went on to score a hat-trick, Qin Manman backed that up with a brace of her own shortly followed by Liu completing her second half hat-trick.
It was a case of ‘how many can we kick’ for the Chinese team as they exerted their dominance and physical superiority whilst looking to ensure that Australia would need to work hard to overcome any goal differences when they take on Bahrain on Saturday September 28th.
The final margin was closed out with a goal from Shen in the last minute of the match to see an astounding 17-0 score line to the Chinese.
Bahrain are new comers to this competition and certainly received no favours from China in the opening game. They will now regroup in readiness for the game against Australia on Saturday at 4.30pm at the Jiangning Sports Centre in Nanjing.
In other first round matches on Thursday the reigning AFC Champions Japan decimated new comers Guam in Group D 19-0 in another futile match as a lead up to their next match against Iran on Monday. DPR Korea had a 6-0 victory over Jordan in Group B and South Korea could only muster a scoreless draw against Uzbekistan in their Group C match.
Australian coach Belinda Wilson and her administration are working overtime with the Mini Matildas to ensure game plans and strategy are in place to firstly overcome Bahrain and then saddle up for the game of the tournament against the host nation China. Confidence is high as the Australians are assured of a victory against Bahrain based on form to date which will set them up for the battle against the Chinese.
Stay tuned as we head into day two of the AFC Qualifiers in Nanjing. Stocky’s Scribbles will be pitch side along with the Australian cheer squad of families here in Nanjing to support their girls as they endeavor to rewrite the history books and qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Costa Rica.
Remember girls – believe.