IFA U-20 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP - China battle back to hold Brazil
(FIFA.com) 06 Aug 2014
Substitute Zhang Zhu's 89th-minute equaliser secured China PR a 1-1 draw against Brazil at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. An earlier strike from the lively Byanca looked to have settled this tight and nervy encounter, but a point apiece leaves these two sides joint-second in Group B behind the early leaders, Germany.
Bottom side USA will not, however, be too unhappy with a result that boosts their hopes and ultimately provided a fair representation of the balance of play. With chances and exciting attacking play at a premium, it would certainly have been difficult for either team to claim that they were thoroughly deserving of the win they both so desperately craved.
China were on top early during the early stages, but it was Brazil who provided the first noteworthy effort, with Gabi's well-struck long-range effort palmed over the crossbar by goalkeeper Lu Feifei after 11 minutes. At the other end, there were celebrations midway through the half, but while Zang Chen wheeled away in triumph, thinking she had put China into the lead, the striker's close-range header was correctly disallowed for offside.
The second half initially belonged to Byanca, who provided a moment of inspiration after 54 minutes, beating her marker with an audacious rainbow flick before crashing in a volley that that Lu parried behind for a corner.
The Brazil No9 persisted, though, and 12 minutes later she got her reward. This goal owed more to opportunism and pressurising of the Chinese defence, with Byanca nipping in ahead of keeper Lu Feifei and shooting into the unguarded net after Patricia had charged down a defensive clearance.
China seemed incapable of responding at this stage but just as Brazil were preparing to celebrate a vital win, disaster struck. Their failure to deal with a deep, lofted free-kick from the right proved costly, with Zhang stealing in unnoticed to seal a point with a scrambled left-foot shot from all of six yards.
Live Your Goals player of the match: Djenifer (BRA)
MATCH
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Group matches
China PR - Brazil
1:1 (0:0)
| Date | Venue / Stadium | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 August 2014 | Edmonton /Commonwealth Stadium | 20:00 | 10101 |
Match Officials
FIFA General Coordinator
SAARINEN Outi (FIN)
|
Referee
STAUBLI Esther (SUI)
|
Assistant Referee 1
DE VRIES Ella (BEL)
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Assistant Referee 2
NYSTROM Anna (SWE)
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Fourth Official
HEIKKINEN Kirsi (FIN)
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Match Commissioner
FRANCISCO Palmira (MOZ)
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