Nanjing: China PR head coach Hesterine de Reus was happy enough with the result in her team’s first outing at the AFC U-19 Championships, but was not at all pleased with the performance, as Uzbekistan made the hosts struggle for their 2-0 win.
The Dutchwoman was critical of her team’s ball use, and admitted to feeling slightly let down after her team had prepared well for the tournament with matches against the United States and Japan in Duyun.
But, as de Reus rightly said after the match, a win is a win – and potentially a launching pad for bigger and better things as China PR chase U-20 Women’s World Cup qualification after missing out in 2016.
The next step to achieving that is a crucial match with Thailand, with three points for the host highly likely to secure progression to the semi-finals with a game still remaining.
Thailand were soundly beaten by a red-hot DPR Korea in their first match, but will welcome back Kanyanat Chetthabutr, who served a suspension in the opening match.
The 18-year-old striker was an essential part of Thailand’s qualifying campaign – netting eight goals in three matches to help her country return to the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship for a sixth time.
Surprisingly, the teams have only met once in the tournament, when China PR claimed a 2-0 win over the Southeast Asians a decade ago in Chongqing.
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com