China still alive, World Champions unstoppable

 　　JINAN, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- China beat Thailand 2-0 in a must-win game to keep hope of advancing, while world champions Japan edged Australia 1-0 to top the table at the Asian Qualifying Tournament for the 2012 London Olympics women's soccer event here on Monday.

　　China now sits at the third place with 5 points after three games, 4 points behind leaders Japan with 9 points after three stragiht wins, and 2 behind DPR Korea. China must win the next two games to secure a ticket for the London Olympics.

　　"I felt uncomfortable during the past three games, but at least we are still alive," said Chinese coach Li Xiaopeng.

　　"We still have the chance to walk out of the swamp, no matter what kind of process it would like to be. Luckily there are no red cards and match bans. We can have all the players ready for the next game."

　　Striker You Jia opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a funny goal from Thailand keeper's error. You caught the wrong-taken goak kick before dashing into the box to fire a low shot to beat a helpless kamolrat Pannipa. It's the hosts' first goal in the tournament.

　　Substitute forward Xu Yuan sealed victory with a header following a corner on 80 minutes.

　　China will play Australia on Sept. 8, both teams have to fight for three points to have a top two finish. Thailand is eliminated after three defeats.

　　In the other two games played earlier, Japan beat Australia 1-0 by Kawasumi Nahomi's second half strike, while DPR Korea defeated South Korea 3-2.

　　If the Nadeshikos defeats DPR Korea in the next game, they will book a seat at the London Games. Australia ranks the third with three points.

　　Striker Nahomi scored the winner in the 62nd minute with a low shot after receiving a pass and dribbling¹ past a defender² in the box. Nahomi missed two clear one-on-one chances in the first half, but finally made it.

　　Japan controlled the game with their neat passes and smart moves, while the Matildas had to rely on the counter-attacks. Japn created much more chances than their rivals with their trademark³ wall passes at the edge of the box.

　　In the clash between the Korean neighbours, S. Korea went ahead only 5 minutes into the game with Lee Hyun Young's strik in a melee⁴. But DPR Korea rallied and quickly netted three goals in the next 51 minutes.

　　Ra Un Sim, Choe Mi Gyong and Hwang Song Mi were the scoring heroins for DPR Korea. S. Korea narrowed the gap in the 61st minute on a mistake by their rivals.

　　DPR Korea can qualify if they beat Japan in the next game, while the South Koreans were denied the chances of qualifying with merely 1 piont from three games.

1 dribbling   

n.（燃料或油从系统内）漏泄v.流口水( dribble的现在分词 )；（使液体）滴下或作细流；运球，带球

参考例句：

• Basic skills include swimming, dribbling, passing, marking, tackling, throwing, catching and shooting. 个人基本技术包括游泳、带球、传球、盯人、抢截、抛球、接球和射门。 来自互联网
• Carol: [Laurie starts dribbling again] Now do that for ten minutes. 卡罗：（萝莉开始再度运球）现在那样做十分钟。 来自互联网

2 defender   

n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人

参考例句：

• He shouldered off a defender and shot at goal.他用肩膀挡开防守队员，然后射门。
• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。

3 trademark   

n.商标；特征；vt.注册的…商标

参考例句：

• The trademark is registered on the book of the Patent Office.该商标已在专利局登记注册。
• The trademark of the pen was changed.这钢笔的商标改了。

4 melee   

n.混战；混战的人群

参考例句：

• There was a scuffle and I lost my hat in the melee.因发生一场斗殴，我的帽子也在混乱中丢失了。
• In the melee that followed they trampled their mother a couple of times.他们打在一团，七手八脚的又踩了他们的母亲几下。