Women's World Cup: China, Canada advance to last 16 despite stalemates

Hosts Canada and China booked their spots in the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Monday despite both being held to draws in the final Group A match. Canada were held 1-1 by the Netherlands in Montreal after Ashley Lawrence’s early goal was cancelled out by a Kirsten Van De Ven equaliser three minutes from time. China drew 2-2 with New Zealand after goals from Wang Li-si and Wang Shan-shan. New Zealand’s goals were scored by Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson. [caption id=“attachment_2298156” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Wang Shanshan #9 of China PR celebrates scoring their second goal against New Zealand. Getty[/caption] Canada have five points from three games and as Group A winners next meet the best third-place finisher from Group C, D, or E in Vancouver on Sunday. China have four points, as do the Netherlands, but advance having scored one more goal – three to two – than the Dutch. “This team needs to keep on a roll,” said Canada coach John Herdman. “We wanted to win the group because we wanted to go back to BC (Vancouver) and give the fans what they’ve been waiting for. “We want to avoid Germany, the USA, our team isn’t ready for them yet but we will be by the end of the tournament. “When the knockout rounds come you’ll see another level from the teams and we hope we can put it out there for the public.” As second in Group A, China will play the second-placed finisher in Group C – Japan, Switzerland or Cameroon – in Edmonton on Saturday. The Netherlands could still advance as one of the four best third-place finishers, but the tournament is over for New Zealand who finish bottom with two points. In Winnipeg, New Zealand had taken the lead when defender Stott scored her first international goal after 28 minutes. But China levelled four minutes before half time when Wang Lisi converted a penalty awarded when substitute Betsy Hassett handled inside the area. The Chinese pulled ahead when Wang Shan-shan got her first goal for China on 60 minutes after Amber Hearn conceded a free-kick following a tackle on Tang Jia-li. Wilkinson cancelled out Wang’s strike however on 64 minutes. China lost their opener to Canada 1-0 following a last-gasp Christine Sinclair penalty but beat the Netherlands 1-0. New Zealand lost 1-0 to the Netherlands and held Canada to a goalless draw. AFP