Steel Roses Draw with South Korea in East Asian Championship Opener

In a match held in Suwon, South Korea on July 9, 2025, China's Shao Ziqin scored against South Korea during the East Asian Football Championship. The game ultimately ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Chinese women's national team was held to a 2-2 draw by South Korea in their opening match of the East Asian Football Championship. Yao Wei scored in the 15th minute, giving China the lead. However, South Korea's Jang Sei-gi equalized before halftime. Shao Ziqin put China back in front in the 67th minute, but a late goal from Ji So-yun of South Korea resulted in the draw.

China, currently ranked 17th in the FIFA Women's rankings, will next face Chinese Taipei, who lost to Japan earlier in the tournament. South Korea is ranked 21st, while Japan holds the top spot in Asia and is ranked 7th globally.

The Chinese women's national team, nicknamed the "Steel Roses," has a rich history in international football. They achieved a runner-up finish in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and have won nine AFC Women's Asian Cup titles.

The team for the East Asian Championship includes a mix of experienced players and young talents. Key players like Wang Shuang, Tang Jiali, and Zhang Linyan, who were part of the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup-winning team, are expected to lead the team. Emerging talents like Shao Ziqing and Lyu Yatong are also part of the squad.

The victory of Wuhan Jiangda in the Asian Women's Champions League in May has boosted the morale of Chinese women's football. The team's performance, especially in the knockout stages, has been inspiring. Four players from the winning Wuhan team are now part of the national team for the East Asian Championship.

The East Asian Football Championship, held every two years, features top women's football teams from East Asia, including China, Japan, and South Korea.