China boosted by World Stars women´s football win

AFP - 22 April 2007 07:27

Players of the China team acknowledge the spectators as they beat the World Stars team during a FIFA women´s world stars match in Wuhan, in China´s central province of Hubei, 21 April 2007. China won 3-2.

WUHAN, China (AFP) - China's women said a narrow win over a World Stars team had given them a massive boost for the World Cup.

China snatched a 3-2 victory in the dying seconds against the international side brimming with talent late on Saturday, giving them new hope for the September tournament.

The World Cup hosts, runners-up in 1999, have slumped to ninth in the rankings after a dismal run including four straight defeats at the recent Algarve Cup.

Wang Haiming, who coached the side for the last time before newly appointed Marika Domanski-Lyfors takes the reins, said the result of the friendly was significant.

"It means a lot for the Chinese team and it helps our confidence," he said.

"This was a good chance for us to get experience and learn how to deal with mental stress.

"The game showed how we have improved. Of course we still have a long way to go but we should get better over time."

China and the World Stars shared four headed goals in the first half before Ji Ting's 90th-minute winner.

"This game will give us a lot of confidence for the World Cup in September," said Liu Sa, who scored China's opener.

The match was a prelude to Sunday's World Cup draw, when 16 countries will be split into four groups for the September 10-30 tournament held across five Chinese cities.

China, Germany, the United States and Norway are seeded, with the remaining teams -- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Ghana, Japan, New Zealand, North Korea, Nigeria and Sweden -- all going into the pot.