Fifa Women’s World Cup: China could unleash Wang Shuang for must-win clash with England
- Head coach Shui Qingxia admits absence of suspended playmaker Zhang Rui is ‘huge loss’ after red card against Haiti
- Head coach Shui Qingxia could turn to Wang after striker came off bench on Friday to score winner and keep China’s campaign alive
Head coach Shui Qingxia admitted the absence of suspended playmaker Zhang Rui is “a huge loss” ahead of China’s pivotal Fifa Women’s World Cup clash against European champions England on Tuesday, but was coy on US-based striker Wang Shuang’s chances of starting in Adelaide.
Vice-captain Zhang was sent off in the 1-0 victory over Haiti on Friday before Racing Louisville striker Wang came off the bench to score the penalty that earned the Steel Roses the three points which kept their campaign alive.
But while the 28-year-old impressed in second-half cameo appearances against Haiti and the 1-0 loss against Denmark, Shui refused to confirm whether the former Paris Saint-Germain star would feature in her line-up in the must-win clash at Hindmarsh Stadium.
“This is a tricky one. Wang Shuang is an outstanding player.” Shui said. “As to why she was put on the bench for the first two matches, that was out of consideration for the team strategy.
“I wanted to make sure that she could be given more opportunities for her attacking skills because when it comes to reading the game and also pressuring the opponents we want to make sure her time is spent at the prime moment.
