Goal-den girl Wang can’t stop scoring
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo step aside — the hottest striker in world soccer at the moment is China’s “NineGoal Diva” Wang Shanshan.
Wang earned that nickname from Chinese fans and media when she tallied an incredible nine goals in a dizzying 29 minutes after coming off the bench in a 16-0 demolition of Tajikistan at the Asian Games on Monday.
So far, the speedy forward has found the net 11 times in the tournament, scoring in the 7-0 opening victory over Hong Kong and adding a soaring header in a 2-0 triumph over the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Wednesday to top the group and qualify for the quarterfinals in style.
China’s free-scoring women, yet to concede a goal, are being feted back home and 28-yearold Wang in particular is making headlines for her astonishing scoring prowess.
There have been tongue-incheek suggestions she could be the answer to the scoring problems of the men’s national team.
Wang’s sizzling form is all the more surprising because prior to the past week she was hardly prolific, although she did catch eyes by scoring a backheel volley against South Korea last year — the kind of exquisite strike that Messi and Ronaldo would be proud of.
She currently plies her trade in China’s little-noticed domestic women’s league.
“In the past three group matches, Wang Shanshan scored 11 goals and became Chinese women’s soccer’s talisman,” said an story on Tencent Sports.
“In more crucial tournaments, Wang will become the key player in helping the women’s team win gold.”
Against DPR Korea, midfielder Wang Shuang, who recently signed for Paris SaintGermain, opened the scoring in the eighth minute by finishing off a fluid passing move.
“China’s women really have the chance to win the gold medal. The team is blessed to have Wang Shuang and Wang Shanshan in this era,” wrote one fan on Weibo.
China’s evening ended on a sour note, however, after substitute Zhao Rong was sent off for a studs-first tackle.
Coach Jia Xiuquan soon followed the defender, being dismissed for complaining about the decision.
Next up for the Chinese women is a last-eight clash against Thailand in Palembang on Saturday.
China’s men face Saudi Arabia in the last 16 in Bekasi on Friday.