The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, the Asian women's premier football competition, kicked off in Adelaide, capital of South Australia, on Sunday.

The nine participating teams are also competing in the fortnight event for the qualification for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Vietnam will fight with each other in Group A, while Australia, Thailand, Myanmar, South Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea play in Group B.

The Chinese have been the dominant force in the AFC Women's Asian Cup, having lifted the title seven times.

They are followed by Chinese Taipei, who have clinched it thrice. The current defending champions are DPR Korea who won the crown consecutively in 2001 and 2003.

Top two teams will have the two spots reserved for them in the FIFA Women's World Cup in addition to hosts China.

Thailand beat Myanmar 2-1 in the opening match, with a goal in either half from Pitsamai Sornsai.

In the second match, Australia won 4-0 over South Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency July 17, 2006)