Norway beat China 1-0 to finish fifth in the Algarve Cup women's
football competition in Albufeira, Portugal on Wednesday.
Midfielder Trine Ronning scored the winner for Norway in the
75th minute when her lightning shot pierced China's defense and
Chinese goalkeeper Han Wenxia could do nothing but watch the ball
fly past her.
Norway changed to play a tight-marking and aggressive game after
a dull first half, keeping their Chinese rivals at bay.
China's defense, which had nullified Norway's numerous attacks,
finally succumbed with a quarter to go when Ronning stepped in from
midfield to drive a 25-meter shot past Han.
"I expected something bad would happen when my side were put
under siege by Norway's attacks," said Chinese head coach Ma
Liangxing.
"Under such circumstances, my players cannot hold on for a
longtime. Norway would score sooner or later. We lost to a better
team today," he added.
China had chance to equalize in the 87th minute when substitute
Sun Wen's solo run was thwarted by the daunting Norwegian
goalkeeper Bente Nordby.
(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2006)
