China labored out a 3-2 victory over defending champions South
Korea at the first round of the East Asian Football Federation
(EAFF) Women's Championship in Chongqing,?Southwest
China?on Monday.
Forward Han Duan opened the scoring at the end of the first
period with a fine poke-in after Yuan Fan's right wing low
cross.
Han missed a good chance in the 53rd minute when the striker
found space on the far post and jumped to meet defender Liu Yali's
fine cross. Substitute midfielder Xie Caixia wasted another great
opportunity three minutes later.
The hosts' generosity was punished in the 60th minute by Park
Hee Young's equalizer following a long pass. The in-form striker
capitalized a mistake by the Chinese defence and blasted a bullet
shot into the net.
Han Duan leveled the score in the 80th minute when she made an
timely follow-up after Bi Yan's corner was rebounded by the
crossbar. Han's forward partner Xu Yuan took the winner in similar
way, she netted home after Guo Yue's mid-range effort bounced back
from the woodwork.
China shared the top place with Japan, who beat DPR Korea 3-2
earlier, while the two Korean sides have to sit at the bottom.
(Xinhua News Agency February 19, 2008)