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China upsets Finland 1-0 in four-nation tournament

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-13 09:33

GUANGZHOU, South China - China held off combative Finland 1-0 to notch up two wins in as many games at the four-nation women's soccer tournament here on Monday.

Wang Dandan (second right) celebrates with her teammates after scoring against Finland at the four-nation women's soccer tournament in Guangzhou January 12, 2009. China won 1-0. [Xinhua]

Midfielder Wang Dandan scored the winner with three minutes to go in the first half when her shot bounced into the net after hitting the bar.

China's ace striker Han Duan, who was sidelined after sustaining a slight knee injury in training, had her absence painfully felt as her teammates on the pitch could rarely crack Finland's solid defence.

Wang and another midfielder Lou Jiahui tirelessly ran up and down the flanks, but their crosses were always intercepted by Finland's defenders.

Finland created some chances, but thanks to the impressive performance of China goalkeeper Zhang Yanru, they could not convert them.

In the 35th minute, striker Leena Puranen shrugged off China defender Liu Huana, only to see her powerful shot fingertipped by Zhang.

Their best chance came in the 61st minute when midfielder Susanna Lehtinen hit the post in a melee before the goal, and unmarked Puranen picked up the deflected ball to shoot at point-blank range, but Zhang incredibly dived to block it out.

In the early kick-off of the day, Republic of Korea beat New Zealand 4-3.