EDMONTON, CANADA // Christine Sinclair got hosts Canada off to a winning start at the Women’s World Cup on Saturday with a dramatic last-gasp penalty in a 1-0 win over Group A rivals China.
The 31-year-old star stepped up two minutes into time added on to convert a controversial penalty awarded for a foul on Adriana Leon by Zhao Rong in the box.
And with the experience of her 15 years with the national team the veteran captain coolly slotted the ball past Wang Fei in the Chinese goal to jubilation among the 53,038 crowd at Commonwealth Stadium.
“Only one woman in the world could step up like that in the 90th minute and write that script,” said coach John Herdman after Sinclair achieved the 154th goal of her 224-capped career.
“Cometh the hour, cometh the woman. It’s always going to end the right way with Sinclair,” he added.
“I’m glad we could sneak a win. We have the three points and are on the road.”
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The Olympic bronze medallists had been desperate for all three points to set themselves up as challengers at their home tournament.
Group A rivals the Netherlands and New Zealand clash later on Saturday.
For the young Chinese team, nicknamed The Steel Roses, it was a first defeat in their opening match of a World Cup.
“It’s a real pity,” said China coach Hao Wei.
“But we’re here to play the game. We respect the referee’s judgement. Whether it was a foul or not we’ll have to watch the video replay.”
In a dour first half which produced few real scoring opportunities, Canada’s Kadeisha Buchanan got the first shot at goal after three minutes but Wang held firm.
China also had their chances with midfielder Wang Lisi hitting the post after 23 minutes, with an angled ball into the box escaping Ren Guixin on 58 minutes.
Wang drew jeers from the crowd as she took her time with a goal-kick, as China looked to be after a point.
With 10 minutes to go and boosted by cheers of ‘Let’s go Canada, Let’s go!’ resounding around the sun-drenched stadium, Sinclair had a chance to break the deadlock after 76 minutes but her header went wide.
With the clock ticking, another Sinclair effort went straight into the hands of the Chinese goalie, with a long range Sophie Schmidt effort flying just left of a diving Wang.
But there was drama in store when Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul pointed to the spot in favour of Canada on 90 minutes when Zhao brought down Leon heavily, setting up a fairytale start to the campaign for the hosts.
“Well done to the referee. I think she made a very brave decision that many referees would have ignored,” said Herdman.
China’s coach was confident his side could hit back in their next games against the Netherlands and New Zealand.
“I think within two days we will be able to regroup mentally to be able to challenge in our next games. I have no doubt about that.”
Canada next play New Zealand on Thursday, and the Netherlands on Monday, June 15.
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