Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Li Ying’s seven goals saw the prolific China PR striker finish as top scorer at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2018.
The 25-year-old Shandong Women’s FC forward impressively found the net in all five of China’s games at the tournament, scoring twice in the group stage encounters with Thailand and host nation Jordan.
Li was also on target during Friday’s 3-1 win over the Thais which helped the Steel Roses secure third place.
“As a striker, it is my responsibility to score, and I am delighted to have been able to help the team, but it is a team effort and my teammates have helped me throughout,” she explained.
“There are no secrets behind what I have done as it is my job to score goals. I believe I have worked extremely hard in training and I think that has paid off during this tournament.
“Having scored seven goals, a total which includes two penalties, will certainly give me added confidence going forward, but I believe I still have work to in order to improve.”
Li’s teammates Song Duan and Wang Shuang, along with title winner Kumi Yokoyama from Japan and Thailand’s Kanjana Sung-Ngoen, finished tied for second with four goals apiece, while three players – Korea Republic duo Lee Min-a and Cho So-hyun, as well as Australia’s Sam Kerr – were third on three goals.