China survived the 28th minute dismissal of Zhang Rui to overcome Haiti 1-0 in front of 12,675 fans at Hindmarsh Stadium on 28 July, keeping alive their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup Finals, while effectively ending those of their beaten opponents in their debut campaign. With Haiti's lynchpin, Melchie Dumornay, resting an injury, the early stages of the contest were very quiet, with the "Steel Roses"' possession countered by "The Grenadieres"' defensive discipline to such an extent that just one opportunity materialised in the opening twenty minutes. Li Mengwen and Wu Chengshu worked a one-two on the right which saw the fullback pick out Lou Jiahui with her cross. The striker's acrobatic attempt was grabbed by Kerly Theus, who was forced into a hurried clearance in the twentieth minute when Tabita Joseph's under-hit back-pass invited Wu to swiftly close in on the ball in a bid to break the deadlock. Buoyed by this, China continued to press via a couple of Zhang set-pieces. Her 21st minute corner was headed narrowly past the far post by Wang Shanshan, before Zhang herself went close with a twenty-five yard free-kick two minutes later. Joseph's vital intervention prevented the Asian team from opening the scoring in the 25th minute, Wu skipping past an opponent before looking to pick out Wang with her cross, China's last attack before their game plan was blown to smithereens. Zhang went in hard on Sherly Jeudy in a 28th minute challenge which Spanish referee Maria Huerta deemed worthy of a yellow card. The Video Assistant Referee had other ideas, however, and after viewing the evidence - a boot high on the knee, referee Huerta upgraded the yellow card to a red one, leaving China to face over an hour's football with just ten players on the park. Needless to say, Haiti licked their lips with relish at this turn of events, and within four minutes were taking advantage of their numerical superiority. Jeudy's free-kick was punched out by Zhu Yu to Nerilia Mondesir, who evaded two challenges before whipping in a cross which the goalkeeper grabbed well, just as the rain began to tumble. Mondesir had a goal ruled out by the offside flag three minutes before half-time, but it was the introduction of Dumornay at the break which sent Haitian hopes soaring. She was soon into the thick of the action, just being prevented from latching onto Batcheba Louis' cross by Wang's timely headed clearance. Four minutes later, Zhu pulled off a fabulous reflex save to deny Dumornay from six yards after Jeudy's free-kick from the left had seen Kethna Louis execute an air-shot before the ball found its way to the Haitian talisman. Still Haiti pressed, Batcheba Louis catching Chen Qiaozhu in possession in the penalty area before driving to the by-line and fizzing in a cross which struck Li in the goalmouth. The ball could easily have ricocheted off her into the net, but luck was on China's side on this occasion.

Defensively, however, the "Steel Roses" were rocking, and it seemed only a matter of time before Haiti broke the deadlock. Roselord Borgella fired in a cross which China scrambled clear, then linked with Dumornay, whose shot was blocked in the 68th minute. Four minutes later, the game was turned on its head by VAR. Ruthny Mathurin tangled with Zhang Linyan in the Haitian penalty area, but the Chinese player was flagged offside, although it looked to be a tight call. VAR intervened, and deemed that the player wasn't offside, which opened the door for referee Huerta to award China a penalty - done! Halftime substitute Wang Shuang sent Theus the wrong way from the spot, and the ten women were in front with sixteen minutes to play. Two minutes later, China were denied a second penalty by VAR, the technology deeming that Kethna Louis' challenge on Zhang Linyan had been legal and above board. Zhang Linyan then hooked a Zhang Xin cross over the bar as the "Steel Roses", buoyed by their goal, took charge of the contest. Zhang Linyan featured again six minutes from time, cutting in off the flank before lashing a shot at Theus - China's last chance. For after this, the Haitians found a second wind from somewhere deep within and came desperately close to grabbing a dramatic stoppage time equaliser. Chen climbed all over Roseline Eloissant in the area in a bid to head the ball to safety, prompting referee Huerta to point to the spot once again - another penalty, this time for Haiti. Cue VAR … And after yet another interminable period of indecision came a stunning decision, reversing the original call - no penalty! An object lesson in how to undermine a referee's credibility right there - VAR at its worst! Haiti pressed again, Chelsea Surpris pumping the ball forward to Shwendesky Joseph, who brought Mondesir into play. After beating a defender, she sent a shot flying across the face of goal. "The Grenadieres" were furious soon after when both Dumornay and Kethna Louis were separately fouled in the penalty area, but neither the referee nor VAR did anything in response. Yet referee Huerta did see fit to book Haitian coach Nicolas Delepine for his protests … then blew the final whistle soon after, to the eternal dismay of the Caribbean team, for this result all but ended their knockout phase dream, while keeping China's hopes alive. China:          Zhu; Li, Wang Shanshan, W. Yao, Chen; L. Yao (Dou, 82), R. Zhang (sent off, 28), Yang, L. Zhang (Tang, 88); Wu (Shuang Wang, 46), Lou (X. Zhang, 37) Haiti:          Theus; Petit-Frere, Mathurin (Surpris, 81), T. Joseph, K. Louis; Moryl (Dumornay, 46 (booked, 63)), Jeudy (S. Joseph, 89), Pierre-Louis (Etienne, 81); B. Louis (Eloissant, 64), Borgella, Mondesir Referee:     Marta Huerta (Spain)