Australia beat China 90-56 on Thursday in the Olympic women's basketball semifinal and set up a showdown with Americans, the three consecutive Games title holder.

The Aussies went on a 8-0 run early in the game to lead 12-6.

After Song Xiaoyun hit a three-pointer and Chen Xiaoli scored two points, China cut the deficit to two points by the end of the first quarter, trailing 13-11.

The Aussies continued to excel on rebounds in the second quarter, with 13 compared to China's seven, and score in the paint to extend the lead to double digits at half-time, 34-18.

"We lost a lot in rebounding," China's center Chen said. "We played quite a physical game, especially inside."

The Aussies' defence forced China into a dismal shooting performance who scored only seven points halfway into the third quarter. Australia led the third quarter 57-39.

"Our plan was to do it defensively," Australian forward Laura Summerton said. "And the offensive end didn't really come until later."

Keeping the momentum into the fourth quarter, Australia breezed to seal the win.

"There is still a gap between our strength and that of the world's best teams," China's guard Miao Lijie said. "They are much better in personal abilities."

"We didn't do well in rebounds, and the physical (side of the game) was too much for us," she added.

The Aussies will take on the United States on Saturday for the Olympics gold while China will meet Russia for the bronze.

The Chinese women's team, which grabbed a silver at Barcelona 1992 and a bronze at the Los Angeles Games, placed ninth at Athens 2004.

The Aussies, silver medalist at both Athens 2004 and Sydney 2000, clinched the title of the 2006 World Championships.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)