Soccer-Wang doubles up as China make winning start

Wang Shuang scored twice as eight-time champions China kicked off their Women's Asian Cup campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of Chinese Taipei in Mumbai on Thursday.

Wang Shuang scored twice as eight-time champions China kicked off their Women's Asian Cup campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of Chinese Taipei in Mumbai on Thursday. The Steel Roses have not won the title since 2006 but Shui Qingxia's side made the perfect start in the tournament's opening game in Group A.

Wang's goals bookended a convincing performance from her team, the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder putting China ahead from the penalty spot with less than three minutes on the clock. Zhang Linyan had been bundled over inside the penalty area just 90 seconds into the game by Pan Yen-hsin and referee Abirami Naidu pointed to the spot.

Wang coolly rolled the ball into the corner, sending goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-yu the wrong way. Within a further six minutes Shui's side had doubled their lead when Wang Shanshan met Gao Chen's cross from the right, her header going in off the inside of the post.

Nine minutes into the second half China claimed a third with Wang Shuang providing the pass that allowed Zhang Xin to find space behind the Chinese Taipei defence before stroking her effort home. Zhang returned the favour 14 minutes later when her cross from the left was somehow missed by four defenders and Wang Shuang kept her head to score.

China move to the top of the early standings in Group A, which also features hosts India and Iran. The pair are due to play later on Thursday. The Women's Asian Cup has been increased from eight nations to 12 for the 2022 edition, which also doubles up as the continent's qualifier for next year's Women's World Cup.

The top two finishers in each group plus the two best runners-up advance to the knockout rounds. Asia has five guaranteed berths at the 2023 World Cup plus two playoff places in addition to the one granted to tournament co-hosts Australia.

The group phase continues until Jan. 27 with the final to be played in Mumbai on Feb. 6.