China came from behind to beat Australia on penalties, winning their eighth AFC women's Asian Cup on Sunday.

The victory marks the nation's return to winning ways after semi-final and final defeats to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in 2001 and 2003.

 

With a fast attacking flow in the second half, China came from behind to neutralize a two-goal deficit through Han Duan (68) and Ma Xiaoxu (73), who was named Most Valuable Player, forcing the match into extra-time after Caitlin Munoz had scored the first goal for Tom Sermanni's side on 28 minutes and Peters made it 2-0 on 33 minutes.

 

China replaced goalkeepers with Zhang Yanru coming off the substitutes' bench at the end of extra time, displacing starting goalkeeper Han Wenxia.

 

The substitution proved decisive with Zhang saving two penalties from Collette McCallum and Joanne Peters while China converted all their attempts to win 4-2 on penalties.

 

"I am so excited to be a part of the success like this," said Zhang. "I can feel the support from my team-mates and coaches. It's a hard-gained win for all of us and this is what we've been expecting for many years."

 

Head coach Ma Liangxing echoed Zhang's words, saying the long-awaited trophy would inspire the players of the future.

 

"I can't believe we came back from two goals down but I never lost confidence in my players," he said. "This victory will be very important in increasing the confidence of my players. It will be very positive in the long run."

 

Australia won the last penalty shoot-out between the two countries, 5-4 in Shanghai in 2000.

 

Before the final, Australia had played China 26 times coming away as the losing side 16 times, with seven games ending in a draw. The last two clashes between the two, as recently as last month, ended in China's favour.

 

Australia, playing in their first Asian Cup final since joining the Asian confederation on January 1, looked on target to win the tournament with first-half goals through when Caitlin Munoz (29th minute) and Peters (33rd minute).

 

China as hosts and finalists and Australia have already booked their berths in next year's FIFA World Cup with the DPRK joining them after beating Japan 3-2 in the play-off for third place earlier yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

(China Daily July 31, 2006)