WUHAN, April 4 (Xinhua) -- China beat Russia 4-1 at the four-nation invitational women's football tournament here on Thursday.
It was just seconds after Wang Shanshan was sent on as a substitute, and with her first touch of the ball, the 29-year-old veteran converted in star teammate Wang Shuang's corner kick in the 65th minute, breaking a 47-minute deadlock between the two sides.
Just nine minutes into the game, the tall and strong Russian team opened scoring through midfielder Nadezda Smirnova, who found the goal via a chaos inside the hosts' penalty box.
China then pulled one goal back in 18th minute as the hosts cut off the Russians and launched an attack of their own before starting striker Yang Li shot from a tight angle.
The 1-1 tie was held for the rest of the first half, although China led in possession and made more efforts along the other end.
Chinese head coach Jia Xiuquan opted to rest Paris Saint-German striker Wang Shuang for the first half, and didn't send her on until shortly after the break to enforce China's attack.
Wang, the AFC's Female Player of the Year in 2018, who's hanging over an injury for the last few months, helped the hosts improve a lot in organizing attacks, and her efforts finally turned into goals after Wang Shanshan was sent on.
With the victory, China set up a final encounter with Cameroon on Sunday evening after the latter won 2-1 over Croatia earlier on Thursday.
Forward Madeleine Michele Ngono-Mani tabbed in the African team's first goal in 33rd minute, and Henriette Michelle Akaba-Edoa kicked in the winner in the 83rd minute.
Croatia equalized in 64th minute through defender Izabela Lojna in the afternoon match.
