China’s Wang Shuang congratulates Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kadidiatou Diani on her goal during PSG’s 7-1 victory over Metz in a Division 1 Feminine match in Paris on Sunday. DAVE WINTER/ICON SPORT/GETTY IMAGES
Chinese star Wang Shuang continued to show her world-class pedigree with a goal in a dominant French league victory for Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.
The recently crowned Asian women’s player of the year hit the net in the 58th minute with a leftfoot strike as PSG routed Metz 7-1 at Stade Jean Bouin to extend its unbeaten record to 14 matches－a run that includes 12 wins.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto finished with a hat-trick, Ashley Lawrence bagged a brace while Kadidiatou Diani was also on target for the host in its last game before the winter break.
Playmaker Wang, dubbed ‘Lady Messi’ by fans, was delighted to end 2018 on a high.
“It feels good to score in the last match of the year,” Wang, who signed for PSG in August, told Xinhua after the game.
“I still feel that the team has experienced ups and downs. Some-times we play quite well and sometimes pretty bad. We are still a young group, so it’s quite normal.”
PSG trails leader Lyon by two points at the top of the standings, with the league resuming on Jan 12.
As well as PSG’s quest for glory on the domestic and European fronts, it promises to be a big year for Wang, who hopes her skills can help steer China to a deep run at next summer’s World Cup finals in France.
“I think my experiences in France will be an advantage to me to compete in the Women’s World Cup here,” the 23-year-old said during a recent interview with FIFA.com.
“Paris is the home of PSG. We face not only teams from the French league, but also from other countries during the Women’s Champions League and these teams represent the best of Europe.”
China faces a tough task at the World Cup, however, after drawing European powerhouses Germany (a two-time world champion and ranked No 2) and Spain (No 12), as well as the 48th-ranked South Africa.
Wang, though, is optimistic about China’s chances.
“It is my second World Cup. I was given a substitute role at Canada 2015 as a young player but I didn’t score. So my initial goal is to break my Women’s World Cup duck this time around. I want to score as many goals as possible and help my team to a good result.”