Zambia's Barbra Banda has set her sights on becoming the best women's footballer in the world after breaking an Olympic record and equalling another in Zambia's 4-4 draw with China on Saturday.
Banda, who plays for Chinese side Shanghai Shengli, followed up her hat trick in Zambia's opening 10-3 defeat by Netherlands with another treble at the Miyagi Stadium in Rifu, as the Copper Queens held their opponents in an eight-goal thriller.
Banda becomes the first woman to score multiple hat tricks at the same edition of the Olympics and has already equalled the record for most goals scored in a single tournament.
"It's good to make history when you have the opportunity so I just have to keep on working hard and breaking more history," the reigning Chinese Super League top scorer told journalists in the postmatch news conference. "I still have a long way to go.
"I just have to be disciplined because I am aiming to become the best footballer in the world."
Brazil's Cristiane was the only woman to have scored more than one hat trick at the Olympics, although her trebles came in two separate Games (2004 and 2008).
Despite Zambia's desperate situation in their group -- they sit fourth on one point and with a minus seven goal-difference after two matches -- Banda is proving to be one of the breakout stars of the Games.
After just two matches, she has already equalled Christine Sinclair's record for most goals scored in a single edition -- subsequently matched by Netherlands' Vivianne Miedema in Saturday's draw with Brazil -- and is already Africa's all-time top scorer in Olympic history.
"I'm very proud of myself and the team, because without them I can't score," she added. "I just want to say thank you to my teammates for the help that they are giving me.
"There were a lot of improvements from the first game [the 10-3 defeat by the Netherlands]; what we wanted most [against China] was the win, but we unfortunately settled for a draw."
After falling to a record-breaking loss in the opener, 104th-ranked Zambia regained some pride with a rousing display to twice come from behind to take a point from world No. 15 China in Saturday's roller coaster.
Barbra Banda's #Tokyo2020 so far:
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 24, 2021
Wednesday: ⚽⚽⚽
Saturday: ⚽⚽⚽
It's her world, and we're all just living in it. #StrongerTogether | #ZAM | @FIFAWWC @FAZFootball pic.twitter.com/il479QYnfZ
Wang Shuang bagged four for the AFC heavyweights during a thrilling contest which contained a red card, a disallowed goal, a penalty given -- and converted -- following a VAR check, and another spot-kick denied from VAR.
"I like the team spirit that we have," Banda concluded, looking forward to Tuesday's showdown. "We are working as a team and we are looking forward to the next game against Brazil.
"We still have hope and we have a strong feeling that we can do something in the next game."
Heading into the final matchday, Netherlands are Brazil are tied on four points in Group F while China and Zambia have one point each.
With goal difference the deciding factor in progression, Zambia need to defeat Brazil, overturn a 12-goal swing and hope that Netherlands avoid defeat by China in order to progress.
Source: ESPN