Wang Shanshan (C) takes a shot during the women's football bronze medal match against Uzbekistan at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Oct. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)
China crushed Uzbekistan 7-0 to secure the women's football bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
HANGZHOU, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chen Qiaozhu scored twice as China eased past Uzbekistan 7-0 to seal a bronze medal in the women's football competition at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
China had lost to Japan 4-3, while Uzbekistan was overwhelmed by DPR Korea 8-0 in the semifinals. The hosts had beaten Uzbekistan 6-0 in the group phase.
There were few surprises in the bronze medal match. Only 20 seconds after kick-off, Zhang Xin's left-wing cross found Ou Yiyao, who headed home to gift the host nation a dream start.
Chen Qiaozhu goes for goal during the match. (Xinhua/Gong Bing)
Chen then dribbled through from the left and netted to double the lead for China in the 26th minute, before Ou's pinpoint back-heel pass found Wang Shanshan, who fired the ball home from a tight angle to increase the lead to 3-0 in the 45th minute.
China kept their momentum in the second half. Wurigumula headed Yao Wei's cross home in the 59th minute, before Chen, Gu Yasha and Yao scored three goals in just five minutes to seal China's dominant win.
"We still had the desire to score more goals. We had lost the last game, so we really wanted to win this match. We also had a lot of fans here to play for," said China midfielder Yang Lina.
Meanwhile, defeat saw Uzbekistan finish fourth on their tournament debut.
"We don't have so many chances to play such games at this level. We played high level matches and it was a chance to improve. We need to learn from our opponents," rued Uzbekistan coach Midori Honda. ■
