Reigning Olympic champion Italy beat China 10-9 here Friday in the women's water polo, but the victory didn't get the two-goal margin they needed to win Group A.

China went ahead twice in the game, 8-7 and 9-8, but failed to convert the lead into a final success.

Italy's head coach Mauro Maugeri, who apparently was not very happy with finishing second in Group A said the team had made a few bad errors in defense.

"The team didn't do what I asked them to do, they didn't stick to the game plan. China is a good team and we reacted well to their game. We only needed one more goal to go to the semifinals," he said.

Also on Friday, Hungary beat Greece 10-4. The United States took on Russia 12-7. Australia held off the Netherlands 10-9.

On Sunday, Italy will fight against the Netherlands in the quarterfinal and China will face Australia. Russia and Greece will fight for the seventh and eighth place.

The United States and Hungary ranked first in Group A and Group B respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)