China Claims Women's Footbal Title at Universiade

Host China came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in overtime and won the women's football gold medal at 2011 Shenzhen Universiade on Sunday after 18 years' waiting.

In 1993 Buffalo Universiade, in which women's football made its debut at Universiade, China defeated United States 2-1 to win the gold. From then on, Chinese women's football team only made into the Universiade finals once, which they were runner-up at the 2005 Izmir Universiade.

After eliminating Brazil through shooting-out in the semifinals, China played against Japan who finished second place in last University Games.

Japan took the lead at the 33rd minutes. Ami Otaki stole the ball from China's Xu Yanfen and passed it to Hikari Nakade, who shot the ball under the defence of two Chinese players to the lower-left corner. China's goalkeeper Wang Fei, who saved two penalties in the shooting-out against Brazil in the semifinals on Friday, made the wrong judgement and witnessed the ball hit the net.

Japanese' goalkeeper Sakiko Ikeda made a bad pass at the 55th minute and Zhao Rong got the possession of the ball and passed it to Pang Fengyue. Pang headed the ball in and tied the score.

Xu Yanfen made up for her mistake during the overtime. Chinese captain Bi Yan's corner kick was punched by Ikeda. Xu reached the ball and her shoot hit the bar. Fan Tingting headed the ball into the net and seized the victory for the host. 

Zhao Rong (3rd, L) of China plays during the Universiade's women's soccer final between China and Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, on Sunday, August 21, 2011. China defeated Japan 2-1 at Universiade's women soccer final. [CRIENGLISH.com]

Chinese players celebrate after a 2-1 victory over Japan in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, on Sunday, August 21, 2011. China defeated Japan 2-1 at the Universiade's women's soccer final. [CRIENGLISH.com]