China, Russia on losing streak in Algarve Cup

   ALBUFEIRA, Portugal, March 5 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese women's football team finished its three-match group stage without recording a single point in the Algarve Cup.

   Australia beat China 2-0 on Friday night, but China put on a spirited performance.

   The Chinese players maintained a tight, compact structure for much of the first half, rarely allowing Australia forward targets. Over time, China started to hit "The Matildas" more frequently.

   In the second half, Australia peppered China's goal but reaped little reward for their efforts, until Chloe Logarzo's opening goal. Star forward Sam Kerr secured the game in the 90th minute.

   The Chinese created many opportunities only to squander them all.

   China's head coach Sigurdur Ragnar Eyjolfsson said he was proud of the team. "Definite improvement in every match in this tournament" is encouraging, he said.

   Australia's head coach Alen Stajcic admitted after the win that he is a bit disappointed.

   The team needed to win the game by over four goals in order to make up the goal difference required to qualify for the final. So a two-goal win means Australia can only fight for the third place on Wednesday.

   In other matches,  Russia concluded group play by losing 3-0 to Sweden. The exquisite skill of Russian forward Marina Fedorova was on full display.

   Russia and China, both without a point and losing all three matches will vie for the 11th position in one final game.

   The Netherlands drew 0-0 with Iceland. Even though the result was unsatisfactory it was nevertheless enough for the Netherlands to reach the final for the first time at the annual invitational tournament.

   The Portuguese women's team won 2-0 over Norway, traditionally one of the strongest teams on the European and world stage, meaning the home team will face Australia for a fight for third place.

   Christine Sinclair scored twice, helping Canada to a 3-0 win over South Korea and raising her career tally to 172, just 12 behind retired American Abby Wambach's international record of 184 goals.

   Elsewhere, Japan beat Denmark 2-0 with two goals in the final stages of the match.  Enditem