The goal was in, the match was won, and the nightmare is gone.
When Zhao Yudiao pushed a bounce ball into the net late in the second half against defending champion Germany, China secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in the women's field hockey semifinals yesterday.
It was a rematch of the 2004 Athens semifinal, which saw unfancied Germany breaking Chinese hearts in the penalty shootout.
Zhao Yudiao of China (left) celebrates after scoring her team's winning goal during the match. China beat Germany 3-2. [Agencies]
|
But this time, the host held its nervous and took sweet revenge, despite trailing twice. "It was a tough lesson for us. We remember that defeat in Athens," said China's South Korean coach Kim Chang-back.
"Today I trust my players and believe they can win the game."
The players attributed the success to team spirit, which inspired the normally defensive Chinese team attacking with rare passion.
"We used to be very passive if we fell behind first. Sometimes, even if we took the lead first, we would become passive again," said goalkeeper Zhang Yimeng.
"But today we won the match by coming from behind and it means we are growing stronger as a whole team."
Germany opened its account when ace scorer Natascha Keller found the target on the second attempt after Zhang blocked an attempt by Mandy Haase.
China equalized in the 31st minute through Gao Lihua, who scored on a Fu Baorong pass.
A defensive mistake seconds into the second half cost China, as German Janine Beermann found the back of the net on a cross.
However, the lead lasted for only three minutes as China captain Ma Yibo converted a penalty corner.
After another nail-biting 20 minutes, Fu dribbled the ball into the right wing and passed the ball to the center court. The ball hit the stick of German goalie Kristina Reynold and jumped high in the air.
Zhao, a 19-year-old who was voted most promising player in the Champions Trophy earlier this year, then slammed home the waist-high deflection.
Germany protested the goal, citing the raised ball and dangerous play, but the goal stood after a video referral, sending the capacity crowd into frenzy.
"I was very focused at that time, so I seized the chance," Zhao said.
China then withstood heavy attacks from the Germans, thanks to some brave goalkeeping by Zhang.
Making it to the final is already China's best result in Olympic history. It faces the Netherlands which beat Argentina 5-2 in the other semi-final yesterday.