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China loses bronze medal after defeat to South Korea at Asiad soccer

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Chinese women's soccer team ended its campaign with a fourth-placed finish at the Asian Games after suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Korea on Monday.

Two early goals in the first half propelled South Korea to clinch the bronze medal in the seven-team tournament. And China failed to repeat the third-place result in Doha four years ago when they beat the same side 2-0.

"The team is still hopeful, so I will not leave the position," said China's coach Li Xiaopeng, refuting the rumours that he would propose a resignation after Asiad.

"If there is no hope, I will definitely leave even if no one forces me to do that. But now, as there is hope in this team, I will stay. And I will prove their potentials and abilities in the future," Li added.

On the losing medal, Li said it was meaningless to himself.

"Every coach is eager to grab a gold, so do I and my team.

"In this game, our strategy had some problems and that was my responsibility. We didn't play our best. The medal may be important to our players, but not to me." said Li.

Park Hee Young giftted the visitor a dreaming start just after two minutes. The speedy forward picked up a through pass and was unmarked in the area, striking a cool finish before a helpless goalkeeper Zhang Yue.

Chinese loose defense on the right side was punished in the 37th minute. An overhead cross found Ji So Yun in the area and the South Korean adjusted her steps calmly before firing a top-corner goal.

The host wasted its best chance before the break in the 42nd minute. Captain Qu Shanshan delivered a brilliant through pass in font of the area but her teammate Wang Yihang failed to control the ball.

Three minutes later, China nearly opened the scoring. But an unmarked Wang Yihang in the middle failed to convert a left wing cross, hitting the crossbar amid the sighs from a 28,700 crowd.

The defeat was China's second straight against the same opponent after losing a top-two clash on penalties in the group stage.

Both teams suffered heartbreaking extra-time loss in the semifinals. China lost to Japan 1-0 while South Korea was beaten 3-1 by DPR Korea.

Japan will take on DPR Korea in the final on Monday night.