Coach Shui takes on pressure as China keep last 16 hopes alive

ADELAIDE : China coach Shui Qingxia brought her Asian Cup-winning team to Australia hoping to move a step closer to restoring the Steel Roses to their former glories, more than two decades after losing to the United States in the Women's World Cup final.

The Chinese have struggled to hit similar heights since their 1999 shootout defeat, but a 1-0 win over Haiti on Friday ensures they go into their final group game at this year's event against England with their chances of a last 16 berth intact.

China have appeared in all but one of the eight previous editions of the Women's World Cup since it was launched in 1991 and have never failed to progress beyond the group phase when they have qualified for the finals.

But a last-minute 1-0 loss in their opener against Denmark in Perth last Saturday put that record in peril, with Shui's team facing early elimination should they have failed to defeat tournament debutants Haiti at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The omens were not good when Zhang Rui was sent off in the 29th minute but a penalty 16 minutes from time by substitute Wang Shuang secured victory for the Chinese and sustained their prospects of a place in the knockout rounds.

"When we arrived in Australia for the World Cup, I told the players not to feel pressured," Shui, a silver medallist for China at the 1996 Olympic Games, said after the game.

"I can take up all the pressure, so long as you display your skills during our daily training and practice. Play the game with a good mood and that's the best that you can show to the world.

"I have encouraged my girls to show their skills, especially because it's the first World Cup for some of them."

Shui has been responsible for an uptick in China's fortunes since taking over in November 2021,