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)