China achieves straight wins in women's soccer

The Chinese women soccer team triumphed over South Korea 5-2 on Sunday, presenting the Swede, Marika Domanski, with her third consecutive win since she took the managerial helm.

Marika Domanski, the head coach of the Chinese women soccer team, clenches her fist on Sunday, May 13, 2007, enjoying her third consecutive win after taking the helm. [Xinhua]

Goals from Jiang Shuai and Zhang Tong gave the home side a 2-0 lead in the first half, but the diligent South Koreans rallied to level the score before the break.

However, the Chinese, who have seen a rise in form in their warm-up series for the World Cup, eased to build their lead again 10 minutes into the second half, as Liu Sa drove the ball into the far corner of the Korean¡¯s goal after successfully striping the ball of a defender.

China's aggressive stance forced further errors in the Korean defense line, leaving the hosts opportunities to extend the gap. Midfielder, Qu Feifei, stole the ball in the 65th minute and helped playmaker Han Duan make it 4-2.

Zhang Ying picked up a rebounded ball in the dying minute to enlarge the score to 5-2 after a fierce shot from her teammate had been blocked by the rival¡¯s keeper.

At a post-game press briefing, Domanski said she has done a lot to lift the team¡¯s confidence since taking her position. These victories have proven her efforts to have been effective.

She said she will continue to rotate players in the coming friendly games, to decide a final lineup before the World Cup in September.

The two sides will play their second game on Tuesday