Source: Xinhua

08-10-2008 17:04

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

TIANJIN, North China, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese young striker Xu Yuan scored her second goal of the Olympic women's soccer tournament and helped her team draw 1-1 with Canada here on Saturday.

Xu Yuan (L) of China shoots during the Beijing Olympic  women's football tournament Group E match between China  and Canada in Tianjin, Olympic co-host city in north China, Aug. 9, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The 23-year-old raced to the ball in a 36th-minute counterattack and beat the diving goalkeeper Erin McLeod before steering the ball into the empty net easily.

"It is a great feeling to score my second goal of the tournament," said Xu, who also scored in China's 2-1 win over Sweden in the opener."I need more goals."

"The Canadians are physically stronger than us. They played better than us," Xu said. "We are so lucky that the posts helped us twice."

Looking ahead to next group match against Argentina, Xu said: "Argentina is a good team. We will face a tough task."

Born in Chongqing, a big city in southwest China, Xu played soccer in 1998 when she was 13 year old.

Players of China celebrate the goal during the Beijing  Olympic women's football tournament Group E match between China and Canada in Tianjin, Olympic co-host city in north China, Aug. 9, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

"Xu's physical condition is not good as other women soccer players," Coach Shang Rihua said. "But she is very clever."

Taking the reins in March after Frenchwoman Elisabeth Loisel was dismissed, Shang has injected some fresh faces into his squad and hoped to rebuild teamwork and confidence.

Standing out among these young talents is striker Xu, who scored the only goal in China's opening game against hosts Vietnam in Asian Cup 2008.

"She is a player who uses her head," former star Sun Wen commented over the player. "She has good vision and is very clever in front of goal."

 

Editor:Zhao Shanchao