China’s forward #07 Wang Shuang (C-L), China’s forward #11 Wang Shanshan (C-R) and teammates celebrate their win at the end of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group D football match between China and Haiti at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide on July 28, 2023. (Photo by Brenton EDWARDS / AFP)
Tearful star Wang Shuang said her team was “not particularly good role models” after China was dumped out of the Fifa Women’s World Cup with a 6-1 humiliation at the hands of England.
China was once a leading power in women’s football but its heyday, when it came fourth in 1995 and reached the final four years later, now looks a long time ago.
“We are not particularly good role models,” Wang, fighting back tears, told reporters in Adelaide after China’s World Cup came crashing down at the group stage for the first time.
The former Paris Saint-Germain player added: “We hope that Chinese children in the future can play football better.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 – Group D – China v England – Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia – August 1, 2023 China coach Shui Qingxia looks dejected after the match as China are knocked out of the World Cup REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
“And we also hope that the domestic coaches can try to cultivate children who can play so that they will not be so embarrassed when they play for the national side in the future.”
The Asian champions were edged 1-0 by Denmark in their opening game, conceding in the 89th minute, and then they survived for an hour with 10 players in a 1-0 win over Haiti thanks to a Wang penalty.
But any hope China had of reaching the knockout stages in Australia and New Zealand was ruthlessly wiped out by European champions England.
Wang scored from the spot again just before the hour to make it 3-1, before England raced away once more.
It was the first time that the Steel Roses had exited at the group stage and coach Shui Qingxia said the gulf between her side and European teams was “huge