Double joy for China

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Hali Long of the Philippines and Li Ying of China PR battle for the ball.

China secured a place in the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2018 semi-finals and a spot at next year's FIFA Women's World Cup thanks to a comfortable 3-0 Group A win over the Philippines on Monday.


Li Ying's brace and a superb Ma Jun effort crowned an efficient display by the table-topping East Asians as they followed up their Matchday One defeat of Thailand with a victory which, coupled with Thailand's subsequent win over host nation Jordan, assured them of both progress at the continental gathering and a berth at France 2019.


Having impressed for large parts of their opening day success, China, minus long-term injury victim Xue Jiao and an ill Wang Shanshan, began brightly at the King Abdullah II Stadium, with midfield dynamo Ren Guixin unleashing a shot from distance which Kearra Bastes-Jones did well to tip over her bar.


As the Philippines slowly began to gain a foothold in the match, China broke the deadlock on 17 minutes when Ren turned Gu Yasha's cross onto the post and Li Ying lashed home the resulting rebound from close-range to register her second goal of the tournament.


China, clearly buoyed by their early breakthrough, doubled their lead shortly after the half hour mark, Ma making the most of hesitant Philippines to beat Bastes-Jones with a fine drive from 12 yards.


In the last meaningful action of an intriguing first half, Hali Long reacted well to block a Ren shot and Zhang Rui forced Bastes-Jones into another fine stop as China threatened to extend their advantage ahead of the break.


China continued to press after the restart, and their pressure was to pay dividends in the 57th minute as, having escaped her marker, Li Ying found the target yet again following another accurate Gu cross. 


Song Duan, who scored twice against Thailand, then rattled the Philippines crossbar following a corner, before the on-rushing Bastes-Jones bravely denied Ma from five yards with 10 minutes remaining.


China duly survived Wu Haiyan's dismissal for a second yellow card to see out the game with minimal fuss and seal a place in the final four and their World Cup ticket, while the Philippines will head into their final group stage – with Thailand – harbouring similar ambitions.


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