By Chris Wright
An Australian ballboy by the name of Stephen White has become the unofficial mascot of the Chinese national side after successfully advising their goalkeeper, Wang Delai, which way to dive in order to keep out a spot-kick from Saudi Arabia striker Naif Hazazi during last night’s Asian Cup game between the two sides.
Shortly before Hazazi stepped up to the spot, Delai was seen consulting young Stephen (himself an aspiring goalkeeper) as to which way he should dive, with the 12-year-old stationed behind the goal instructing the China ‘keeper to go to his left.
Lo and behold…
“I was very surprised,” Stephen told Fox Sports after the game, which China went on to win 1-0.
“[Dalei] asked if he should go left or right. I told him left because that‘s the way I always go in trying to predict where the ball will go.
“I was really excited when he saved it.”
“China is now my second team at the tournament after the Socceroos!”
For his part in China’s victory, Stephen was then invited to attend the team’s training session on Monday evening as a VIP, with Dalei planning to bestow his young penalty guru with the jersey worn during the match.
How lovely.