Updated to July 24, Beijing time zone, the second round of the women's soccer group stage of the Tokyo Olympics was in full swing, and the Chinese women's soccer team welcomed the Zambian women's soccer team for a fierce match. After 90 minutes of intense competition, the Chinese women's soccer team in 3-1 lead, and finally shook hands with the Zambian women's soccer team with a score of 4-4. The match was broadcast live on CCTV Sports Channel, with host Zhu Xiaoyu giving an excellent commentary on the match. He particularly praised Wang Frost, who has been a pillar of the team going forward since the qualifiers. Zhu Xiaoyu thought that the draw was of little significance to the two sides, as the opponents they faced in the final round were equally strong.
Before the match, Zhu Xiaoyu said that both teams played their last round matches at this venue, with China losing 0-5 to Brazil and Zambia losing 3-10 to the Netherlands. For both teams, this match is crucial. The best third in the group still has a chance to qualify, so both teams will not only have to fight for a win, but also try to make up for the goal difference in the first match. China have made some changes to their forward line, while Zambia remain unchanged. Judging from their last match, Zambia are strong in attack and weak in defense, but they are also the champions of the African zone, with Cameroon in second place, so it is expected that the two sides will engage in a battle of attacking soccer.
At the beginning of the match, the Chinese women's soccer team showed high motivation. Only 6 minutes after the start, Wang Shanshan took the ball in front of the field and passed it to Yang Lina on the left, the latter took the ball and passed it to Yang Man in the middle of the field to attract the defense, and then Wang Frost stopped the ball at the back point and shot low to break the goal, and the Chinese team took the lead in a dreamy way. Zhu Xiaoyu commented that the goal was not very powerful, but it cleverly crossed three defenders, showing Wang Frost's individual ability. He expects China to continue their offense.
Trailing Zambian women's soccer team did not give up. In the 15th minute, they equalized the score by passing from the right road and Kundanani's header. Zhu Xiaoyu commented that Zambia's passing drop made it difficult for the Chinese team to defend, and Kundanani's header was skillful.
In the 17th minute, Miu Shiwen broke the ball and crossed to the middle, Yang Lina passed straight to the top of the arc, Wang Shanshan stopped the ball and shot with her right foot, the referee confirmed through the video referee that Wang Shanshan was offside and the goal was invalid. Zhu Xiaoyu said that Wang Shanshan had a great performance and China put the score beyond the goal again, but the video referee's decision caused controversy.
In the 21st minute, Zhang Xin passed from the left, Wang Shanshan header, Wang Frost stopped the ball and shot low to break the goal, China's 2-1 lead. Zhu Xiaoyu commented that the goal was smooth and natural, and Wang Frost worked well with her teammates.
In the 23rd minute, Wang Frost arc top take the ball and knocked across, follow up Wang Frost left foot bombardment, the ball refracted into the net, China's 3-1 lead. Zhu Xiaoyu said that Wang Frost hat trick, the Chinese team conduction patience, and finally completed the breakthrough by Wang Frost.
In the 41st minute, Kundanani was tripped by Wang Xiaoxue after a breakthrough, and the referee awarded a penalty kick, which Banda scored at once to put China 3-2 down. Zhu Xiaoyu commented that Banda's penalty kick was skillful and it was her fourth goal scored in this Olympics.
The first half ended with China leading Zambia 3-2. Zhu Xiaoyu summarized at half time that China should be more organized on the offensive end and contain Zambia's attack on the defensive end. China should pay special attention to Kundanani's close defense in the second half.
In the second half, Zambia launched a counterattack and Banda scored a low left-footed shot from a small angle to level the score at 3-3. Zhu Xiaoyu commented that this was Banda's trademark way of scoring, her speed and breakthrough ability made it difficult for the Chinese team to defend.
In the 69th minute, Zambia picked up a pass at the back of the field, Banda used her speed to shake off the defense and fired a low left-footed shot into the goal, leaving China 3-4 down. Zhu Xiaoyu said Banda's hat-trick in two consecutive matches showed her outstanding ability in the Women's Super League.
After that, the Chinese team adopted a long pass play, but could not form an effective offense. Zhu Xiaoyu commented that the Chinese team lacked a clear goal after overdoing it in the midfield, and although Wang Frost has the ability to score, she needs more teammates to share the pressure of scoring.
In the 80th minute, China's corner kick to the penalty area, Wang Xiaoxue header, the referee watched the video replay to confirm that Wang Frost handball, awarded a penalty kick, Wang Frost penalty low shot broke the goal, China's 4-4 equalized. Zhu Xiaoyu commented that the goal restored China's hope of winning, and that Wang Frost had been a pillar of the team from the qualifiers to the Olympics.
In the end, the two teams played to a 4-4 draw. Zhu Xiaoyu summarized that despite Wang Frost's four goals, China did not win. The draw is not significant for both teams, as the opponents they face in the final round are equally strong. He expects the Chinese team to show their strength in the final round.
