Wang Shuang was just five when her parents divorced, dropped her at her uncle's and left. Football, as it often is, became an escape.

At seven, she was spotted by coach Xu Yilong, who found Wang quick in her playful behaviour. As the only girl in the boys' team, Wang's performances were impressive, earning her the nickname"Iron Girl. " And soon, she sensed the sport's power. Football allowed her to"release herself"and realize "whatever happens, football never leaves you alone. "

However, life was never smooth sailing. The constant jibes(嘲讽)from some people, who always tried to push her down and destroy her hopes, affected her so deeply that she lost confidence. "They were saying I had no talent at all. Gradually, I felt really so. "Wang once wrote. But never did she stop playing. When she was called up to the national team, aged 17, Wang thought, "Me? Are you sure?"When a world-famous club wanted to sign her, she was "excited that an excellent coach thought I was good. " It was only then that she felt confident in her abilities. "I felt recognized. Perhaps I had a bit of talent after all. "

Not any "bit of talent"; the genius is praised as China's once-in-a-generation player.

China is a pioneer of women's football in Asia and has won the continental championship eight times, including seven straight titles between 1986 and 1999. That was their golden age. Gradually, though, the dynasty declined. It is hoped that Wang will inspire the women's football of the country to its former height.

Coaches are almost always hesitant to speak about individual players. But when coach Shui was asked about Wang before the match against Vietnam, she couldn't stop mentioning her influence on the team. Unfailingly performing on the big stage, Wang did not let her team down. When they lacked a quality ball, she delivered two high assists that finally led her team into the last-four clash(交锋). 

"Nobody knows how hard it was, " declared Wang after the match. "We overcame difficulties. We also showed our strong spiritual power. I am proud of my team. "