Soccer

Ballboy helps China goalkeeper save from the spot

Wang Dalei takes ballboy’s advice and dives the right way to save Saudi Arabia penalty

China’s goalkeeper Wang Dalei saved a penalty in his side’s 1-0 Asia Cup win over Saudi Arabia after asking a ballboy which way he should dive. (Photograph: REUTERS/Edgar Su)
China’s goalkeeper Wang Dalei saved a penalty in his side’s 1-0 Asia Cup win over Saudi Arabia after asking a ballboy which way he should dive. (Photograph: REUTERS/Edgar Su)
Mon Jan 12 2015 - 13:40

China have invited an Australian ballboy to meet their Asian Cup squad at a training session on Monday after his advice helped the goalkeeper, Wang Dalei, to save a penalty kick during their shock 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.

The score was 0-0 in the second half when the striker Naif Hazazi was fouled by Ren Hang in the penalty area. Hazazi dusted himself off and prepared to take the spot-kick but as he did so Wang turned to the 12-year-old ballboy Stephan White, stood behind his goal, and asked him which way he should dive.

White pointed to Dalei’s left. The keeper heeded the youngster’s advice and saved Hazazi’s kick low down to that side with his legs.

China went on to win the match from an 80th-minute deflected free-kick and Wang, who was celebrating his 26th birthday, was named man of the match.