International soccer's governing body FIFA mysteriously
postponed China's last group match just four hours before yesterday
afternoon's scheduled kick-off.
"It is late but it is also fair play of course," said China's
Swedish coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors moments after hearing the
news.
"It was a right decision. They could have made it yesterday,
butt now they made it and it's Ok.
"We will go for the game tomorrow and now we have to get
relaxed."
The team used last night's scheduled game time to tune up in a
short training session.
Chinese supporters wait
ouside Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium after the scheduled 2007 FIFA
Women's World Cup match between China and New Zealand was postponed
yesterday. [Photo: Sina.com]
With Typhoon Wipha closing in on China's East Coast, FIFA on
Tuesday postponed two matches scheduled for yesterday - Norway
versus Ghana in Group C and Brazil versus Denmark in Group D -
until today. But the Group D match between China and New Zealand
was still set to proceed (last night).
This met with protest from Chinese Football Association
officials who claimed FIFA should abide the "Fair Play" rule and
play the last two matches of each group at the same time.
FIFA disregarded the initial outcry before suddenly changing the
draw just hours before last night's scheduled kick off.
FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot defended the lateness of
Wednesday's decision, saying FIFA wanted the games on the same day
but needed to make sure Tianjin and Chengdu would not be affected
by the typhoon on Thursday.
Chengdu is about 1,800km west of Shanghai and Tianjin is 1,100km
north. Neither is in the direct path of the typhoon.
"We would have loved to make the decision earlier, but we had to
follow the evolution of the typhoon," he told The Associated
Press.
FIFA's statement said the change also complies with the requests
of the participating teams.
Canada coach Even Pellerud said he believed the change was the
result of complaints to FIFA that it was unfair to play games on
different days.
"It was the mounting pressure on FIFA.
"It was not one or two teams, it was mounting pressure," he
said.
As well as the China-New Zealand Group D match in Tianjin, the
Canada-Australia Group C match in Chengdu was also postponed until
today.
All four games are critical and will determine which four teams
advance to the quarterfinal.
Decision "too late"
China's media officer Meng Hongtao complained the decision came
too late and would definitely negatively impact players.
"When the news came to us, we were about to have the scheduled 4
PM dinner and open a closed-door meeting at 4:45," Meng said.
"It was all of a sudden that we are forced us to reschedule
everything."
Meng was worried whether players would be able to adjust their
physical and mental preparation after the anti-climax.
"We have many young players who lack experience of major
competitions," he said.
"The sudden change will surely have bad effect on them.
"They were in very good shape and in full gear for the final
group match yesterday.
"But the decision put the rhythm of life in a mess. I am sure we
need some time again to get physically and mentally ready."
About 60,000 fans who bought tickets for the China-New Zealand
fixture at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium were also faced to
wait another day.
Many had already lined up outside the ground only to be told to
come back today.
"Yes, I was a little bit upset," said one disappointed fan, from
Hebei Province, who stormed off after being
told the news.
"They should have told us earlier.
"But I will come tomorrow. I hope China could win."
Brazil is as good as through to the quarters with a huge
for-and-against differential while China and Denmark are closely
matched for the remaining quarterfinal spot.
Even New Zealand still has a slim hope but would virtually need
a miracle.
For China to qualify, it has to either better Denmark's result
or, in the event both sides win, achieve a victory margin five
goals greater than the Danes'.
(China Daily September 20, 2007)
