CHONGQING -- Japan was crowned at 2008 EAFF Women's Championship after downing host team China 3-0 at the Yongchuan Sports Center here on Sunday.
![China's players leave the pitch after losing 0-3 to Japan at 2008 EAFF Women's Championship Feb. 24, 2008. [Xinhua]](../../images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080225/000802ab4a63092c668014.jpg)
China's players leave the pitch after losing 0-3 to Japan at 2008 EAFF Women's Championship Feb. 24, 2008. [Xinhua] |
"The Japanese team did a very job in the game with good ball possession and positive interception. Our players are still weak in speed and power,"said Chinese coach Loisel Elisabeth after the match.
"Since time is limited, I don't know whether we can solve all the problems in six months (before the Olympics), but I will first rebuild our defending line," she added.
"I am very satisfied with the players today. It is encouraging for us to win the title. But there is still big gap between Japan and world powerhouses. We need to improve both our attack and defence," said Norio Sasaki, coach of Japan.
The visitors enjoyed a flying start with their forward Shinobu Ohno driving home a low pass from Yuki Nagasato, who capitalized a through ball on the right flank to beat China's defending force in the 18th minute.
The Nadeshiko extended their margin three minutes before the second half. Playmaker Homare Sawa's long range shot was blocked by the bar before Ohno used her chest to rebound the ball into the open gate.
"Our attack did not give Japan enough pressure which allowed the opponents to play with aggression. But we have already tried their best," said Chinese skipper Li Jie after the match.
With only one mis-targeted shot in the first half, China substituted a midfielder with a forward to strengthen attacking when the game resumed. But their hope to equalize the score was ruined 10 minutes into the second half. The in-form Ohno swung in a pinpoint cross to find Nagasato in the far post, whose powerful header put their throne-taking triumph beyond doubt.
After snatching the crucial victory, the Japanese side crowned in the four-team tournament with a all-win record, while China which used to stand on the peak of Asian women's football only finished in the third place.
Forward Kim Yong Ae's two goals helped World Cup quarterfinalist DPR Korea trounce defending champions South Korea 4-0 in the game played earlier, leaving the young South Korea team staying at the bottom of the four teams.
