China's women soccer team shakes off pressure to focus on quarterfinal stage

EDMONTON, Canada - Assistant coach Chang Weiwei said that Team China has shaken off pressure in preparing to face the United States in Ottawa on June 26 at the Women's World Cup quarterfinal stage.

China's Wang Shanshan (4th R) celebrates after scoring during a round of 16 match between China and Cameroon at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada, on June 20, 2015. China won 1-0. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese team survived a tough test from Cameroon with a lone early strike from Wang Shanshan which was enough to end the journey for the Cup debutants here on Saturday.

"Everyone of us had shown courage and tenacity in the match. Everybody had done a good job." Chang said after the victory.

China had never reached the second round at the knockout stage since 1999's World Cup. Before the round of 16 game, many supporters encouraged the Chinese ladies.

"We won't criticize the team no matter what happens, The girls earn very low wages and choose soccer as their ideal jobs. They didn' t owe us anything and I wish them could enjoy the World Cup campaign and be happy in their most beautiful time of lives." A Chinese Netizen called Youtian said on Hupu.com.

China scored in the 12-minute mark as a deep corner reached Li Dongna who found some space and passed to Wang Shanshan who finished the only goal through a volley shot.

A sina micro-blog user named "Spider" twitted, "Chinese men footballer should be embarrassed about the girls sensational coordination. The powerful show never happens in Chinese men's World Cup games, oh I'm sorry to have your spirits dampened gentlemen, but I have to say, Chinese men only had played three matches in the World Cup group stages."

When Han Peng was blooding after a heading duel, many netizens of China left words for team China's official micro-blog, "My heart was blooding too, for all my 'Goodness' girlfriends on the court," a netizen commented.

China's next opponent might be the US, which has an unbeaten record against China in the World Cup stages. But the girls expressed ambitions.

Midfielder Wang Shuang said: "There must be many chances for us in the quarterfinal. The top 4 is not unreachable for us."

Wang Shanshan who had made two goals in four matches said: "I lost too many chances in one on one situation today and our goal of the Cup is the top three in fact."

"Reaching the semis is my wish of course, but I called for more pay for the outstanding girls," remarked by a Internet user "Boiled Water", after hearing the news that Chinese women's international only earns less than 3000 yuan (about 500 dollars) per-month.

"A player of top 8 teams in the world can not afford suntan oil in their daily training? I can't accept that." "Boiled Water" added.