China booked their place against Australia in the final of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2006 with a solitary goal win over two-time defending champions DPR Korea in the semifinals at the Hindmarsh Stadium in Australia on Thursday.

The all-important goal was scored by 18-year-old striker Ma Xiaoxu in the 58th minute and sealed China's ninth appearance in Asia's premier competition for women. Only twice - in 2001 and 2003 - have the Chinese failed to lay their hands on the coveted trophy in these nine appearances.

Australia had earlier ran two unanswered goals past Japan in the first semifinal.

The win was sweet revenge for coach Ma Liangxing's charges and banished bitter memories of defeats in the last two editions to their Korean rivals.

The start was brisk as both sides started searching for goals busily.

China should have taken the lead midway through the first half when Ren Liping's 20-metre missile thudded against the crossbar only to be hastily cleared. Minutes later Liangxing was forced to replace the experienced Bai Lili, who was injured, with Zhang Tong, who wasted no time in making her presence felt with a snapshot off a Korean defender but straight to goalkeeper Hye Yong Han.

The seven-time champions then had their own goalkeeper Han Wenxia to thank for an incredible save which kept out of their net an angled low freekick from 20 metres out by Ri Kum-suk, the woman who scripted their defeat in the last edition.

With the break fast approaching, DPR Korea mounted another incisive move which saw Song Jong-sun cutting into the right before sending a cross into the crowded area. Here Ri Un-gyong did well to get her head to the floating ball but there wasn't enough power in it to beat an alert Han Wexian.

Chinese young gun Xiaoxu, who has been so admirably playing the striker's role in the absence of the legendary Sun Wen, fed Zhang Tong two minutes after the break on the left edge of the area but the latter's right-footed shot just missed the goal.

In the 56th minute, the action moved to the other side of the field as Korean veteran Ho Sun-hui crossed brilliantly under pressure to the centre where Kim Yong-ae's header from the edge of the box went agonisingly wide.

A quick counter by China two minutes later saw Bi Yan receiving a perfect pass from the centre circle and accurately pick out Xiaoxu with a superb cross. The teenaged striker summoned all the power at her command and headed the ball in past goalkeeper Hye Yong Han.

DPR Korea hit back with all they had and Kim Yong-ae - with just the goalkeeper to beat - blazed over in the 69th minute from five metres out and nine minutes from time Ri Un-gyong's well taken shot proved off target by a few inches.

The last 15 minutes saw the Chinese being tested repeatedly and at one time Liangxing ordered back eight players into the area to fend their one-goal cushion. Despite heavy reinforcements, China almost conceded the equaliser when Ri Un-gyong struck a powerful shot but Han Wexian stayed on the line and blocked it with her right leg.

After the game, DPR Korea players and team officials were involved in a fracas with Italian referee Anna De Toni and AFC officials leading to a red card for goalkeeper Hye Yong han for pushing the referee.

The red card means an automatic one-match suspension for Hye Yong Han with further sanctions, if any, to be decided by the AFC Disciplinary Committee.

(the-afc.com by Etsuko Miyazaki July 28, 2006)