Source: CCTV.com

12-08-2006 11:19

Special Report:   Doha 2006

Photo: Xinhua

A tightly fought match at first, but China's women's football team eventually surrendered to Japan. They lost to Japan one-nil in their last group match of the Doha Asian Games. China will face defending champions, the DPRK in the semi-finals.

China went into the match with style, and they almost broke the deadlock in the opening minutes.

Against China's run of play, Japan soon recovered and scored in the 27th minute, when Iwashimizu Azusa powered home a header from a free kick cross.

China kept pressure on Japan and launched a string of attacks for a quick equalizer, but they made few shots on goal facing a well-organized Japanese defense.

Japan continued to control the match after the break, while China continued a poor offence. Both teams failed to score again.

One-nil the final score, with China finishing second in the group behind Japan.

China's semi-final showdown will be against the biggest title favorites, the DPRK, who thrashed their Southern counterparts four-one to top their group on the same day.