Chinese players celebrate in the AFC Women's Asian Cup final against South Korea in Mumbai, India, Feb 6, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]
Led by coach Shui Qingxia, a native of East China's Jiangsu province, China's national women's football team mounted a spirited comeback against South Korea after conceding two goals to win the AFC Women's Asian Cup final 3-2 on Feb 6.
The final took place at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India.
Tang Jiali reduced the deficit in the 68th minute when she converted a penalty. Substitute Zhang Linyan then leveled the game in the 72nd minute before Xiao Yuyi completed the stunning comeback in the 93rd minute.
Four of the players – Wang Xiaoxue from Taizhou, Zhang Xin from Nantong, Yao Lingwei from Xuzhou and Wu Chengshu from Wuxi – in starting line-up are Jiangsu natives. Three other Jiangsu players – Li Mengwen from Suzhou, Xu Huan from Xuzhou, and Ma Jun from Lianyungang – also competed in the tournament.
Most of these players are from Jiangsu Suning Ladies Football Club.
Li Mengwen and Wang Xiaoxue had competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in July last year. About one month later, they secured a gold medal at China's 14th National Games in Shaanxi province.
In addition, Li Mengwen, Wang Xiaoxue, and Ma Jun graduated from Jiangsu Normal University.