China have invited a ballboy to meet their Asian Cup squad at a training session on Monday after he correctly advised the goalkeeper, Wang Dalei, which direction to dive when facing a penalty during their surprise 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia.
The score was 0-0 in the second half when the striker Naif Hazazi was brought down by Ren Hang. Hazazi picked himself up to take the resulting penalty 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 took his advice and saved Hazazi’s kick low down to that side with his legs.
China went on to win the match and spot-kick saver Wang, who was celebrating his 26th birthday, was named man of the match.
