Chinese football player Pu Wei(C) celebrates score with teammate.
Defending champions China and former winner Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) secured berths to semi-finals of the final round of the 2008 Women's Asian Football Championship after beating Thailand 5-1, and hosts Vietnam 3-0, respectively, in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City on Friday.
Among the five goals in favor of China, midfielder Qu Feifei netted twice. Eight minutes before the break, a Thai player scored the first and the only goal for her side with a header.
Chinese football player Gu Yasha(R) in the game.
In another Group A match at Thong Nhat Stadium, DPRK captain RiKum-suk made a brace of goals. Her compatriot Ri Un-gyong converted a penalty shot stemming from a foul committed by Vietnamese defender Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh in the 11th minute of the game.
Australia, Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei are to clash each other in Group B matches of the two-group competition from May 28 to June 8.
The Asian Women's Football Championship, also known as AFC Women's Asian Cup and the Asian Women's Championship, has been dominated by Asia-Pacific countries and regions with defending champion China having seven consecutive triumphs.
Football funs of China applause for the game.
(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2008)
