|
Coach: China Still the Better Team
1999-07-11
PASADENA, Calif. - China's coach, Ma Yuanan, conceded nothing. ``Even though the American team is the winner, I still think the Chinese team is the best in the world,'' he said after the United States beat his charges 5-4 in a shootout following an 0-0 tie for the Women's World Cup championship. ``Both of the teams had great performances. The American team was luckier.'' After beating the United States in two of their last three meetings, China couldn't do it Saturday when it counted most. Forward Sun Wen, the tournament's leading scorer with seven goals but who failed to connect until the shootout, agreed with her coach. ``I give congratulations to the American team,'' said Sun, who, like Ma, spoke through an interpreter. ``The American team was more lucky.'' And, Ma said, it got a huge assist from the record crowd of 90,185 howling, cheering fans - President Clinton included - at the Rose Bowl. ``The many fans here wanted the American team to win,'' he said. Clearly the two best teams in the tournament - China outscored opponents 19-2 and the United States had an 18-3 margin - these teams have created quite a rivalry. The Americans beat the Chinese 2-1 for the 1996 Olympics gold medal and 2-0 for the '98 Goodwill Games crown. China had won two of three this year, including the championship of the prestigious Algarve Cup. But the big one went to the Americans, and the series now stands 12-5-5 for the United States, which also won the first World Cup in China in 1991. ``Give China's team credit,'' U.S. coach Tony DiCicco said. ``I hope everyone recognizes how much they contributed to the success of this tournament.'' China went first in the shootout and Xie Huilin hit the left corner of the net. U.S. co-captain Carla Overbeck matched the goal to a huge cheer from the crowd. Qiu Haiyan barely got the ball past the outstretched hands of diving goalkeeper Briana Scurry, and U.S. teammate Joy Fawcett made no mistake with her shot for 2-2. Liu Ying's shot was in the middle of the net and Scurry got her hands on it to send it wide. Kristine Lilly then almost nonchalantly put hers in. Zhang Ouying beat Scurry, but Mia Hamm scored. That brought on Sun, who put her shot to the left of Scurry for 4-4. Then came Brandi Chastain, who made it 5-4, and then came the championship. Victory almost belonged to the Chinese in the 100th minute. A header by Fan Yunjie was headed off the goal line by Kristine Lilly with Scurry beaten. China's brilliant midfielder, Yan Jin, created several chances in the extra periods, when China had a big edge. But that's all they were. Chances. [AP]
Women's Soccer: China 1, United States 1 (2000-09-17)Sun Wen is first woman to be nominated for Asian soccer award (2000-03-21)Coach: China Still the Better Team (1999-07-11)Five American, Seven Chinese Selected World Cup All-Stars (1999-07-09)China Soccer Star Has Many Talents (1999-07-07)
| 
