The Hindu : China in final

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 21, 2003

Sport

Sport - Football

China in final

BANGKOK JUNE 20. China beat South Korea 3-1 to advance to the final of the Asian women's World Cup football qualifying series, as the third-place playoff took on extra importance.

In the second semifinal, China took the lead after sustained pressure in the opening 10 minutes of the game.

Bai Jie, who had missed on two earlier shots at goal, opened the scoring in the 12th minute when her dipping right-foot shot looped over the head of the South Korean 'keeper Jung Ho-jung.

China doubled its lead seven minutes later, as Bai Jie beat the offside trap and calmly lifted the ball over the advancing Jung.

South Korean midfielder Kim Ji-eun cut the margin in the 26th minute with a spectacular 25-yard shot that scorched past China goalkeeper Xiao Zhen.

South Korea dominated possession after the interval but as it went in search of an equaliser, China was able to counterattack, leaving Bai Jie and Sun Wen to exploit the space behind the South Republic back four.

Bai Jie was denied her hat-trick on 83 minutes when she rounded the 'keeper but her shot was cleared off the line by Yoo Young-sil.

Star striker Sun Wen skipped past two defenders and rifled a shot past Jung from 12 yards to ensure the win and give China the chance to win back the title it had won on seven previous occasions.

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