Winnipeg was the setting for a dramatic final Group A game between China and New Zealand, as a game of many twists finished 2-2. The result meant China advanced to the knock out stages as group runners-up and left New Zealand making their exit at the group stages once again.
The game started positively for the Kiwis, as they had much of the early possession and territory – something they would capitalise on in the 28th minute when Rebekah Stott drove home a powerful strike at the back post after a New Zealand corner was poorly dealt with by the Chinese defence.
If the Black Ferns had been able to hold on to this lead, they would have qualified for their first ever Women’s World Cup knock out game, but as it was a poor piece of referring would prove costly to Tony Reading’s side’s and ultimately end their tournament dreams. China’s equaliser came late in the opening half following Hungarian referee Katalin Kulcsar’s decision to award a controversial penalty against Betsy Hassett for handball in the area. It was a truly awful decision, as replays clearly showed that the ball had only hit her chest but nonetheless Wang Lisi stepped up to take the controversial spot kick and slotted it calmly to the keeper’s right.
A defensive lapse by New Zealand, and brave attacking play by Wang Shanshan, would then see the Asian side take the lead on the hour mark. A cross from China’s captain Wu was left by much of the Kiwi defence and Wang was able to nick in just ahead of the rapidly onrushing Erin Naylor in the New Zealand goal to nod home from close range.
New Zealand showed real heart to drag themselves back into the contest just four minutes later as another deep cross was not dealt with by China and the ball was headed back into the six yard box, where Amber Hearn was waiting to acrobatically fire home from point blank range.
China had a couple of chances to put the game beyond doubt in the remainder of the play, but both were wasted by Wang Shanshan and much of the final half hour of the contest saw the Kiwis applying pressure on the Chinese goal, with repeated crosses and long balls into the box, testing out a short team which had looked uncomfortable in aerial battles all evening.
Much to their credit, the Chinese defence held out well to secure a point that would see them finish as group runner-ups to Canada on goal difference, while New Zealand will be disappointed to have still not broken their World Cup group stage hoodoo, but can pride themselves on having taken a point from both China and Canada, the top two teams from Group A.
