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ASIA - AFC NEWS

February 1, 2005 China loses to Germany but wins the title, as Australia thrashes Russia  By Jia Ailing Australia 5 Russia 0 China 0 Germany 2 Tuesday, February 1, 2005 Quanzhou Stadium, Fujian Province. China national team will never forget their 8-0 loss to Germany in the Athens Olympic Games. The Four-National tournament was regarded by the Chinese as an opportunity for revenge, but the Iron Roses failed to achieve it. On Tuesday, the home side was defeated by the World Champions.   Annike Krahn's goal in the 7th minute stunned the China goalkeeper Zhang Yanru with a long-range shot that found the back of her net as the visitors took a 1-0 lead. Germany doubled their lead in the 21st minute with Renate Lingor's free kick that was awarded when China midfielder Shi Mengyu fouled German forward Birgit Pringz. Their win was ensured when the Germany goalkeeper Inken Becher saved Li Jie's penalty in the 66th minute.   "I am satisfied with the player's performance," the deputy head coach Wang Haiming said after the match,"I think China national team is a potential team. Sure Germany is better than us. But I have found hope from the tournament."   China Zhang Yanru-GK Pu Wei- D Li Jie -D Wang Kun -D(Zhou Xiaoxia, 46) Zhang Ying -D Bai Lili- M(Zhang Tong, 46) Shi Mengyu-M(Bi Yan, 82) Liu Huana-M(Ji Ting, 73) Pan Lina-M Han Duan-F Ren Liping-F(Captain Zhang Ouying, 84)   Statistics: China Germany Shot 7 6 Shots on goal 3 3 Corners 4 1 Free-kicksb 6 5 Offsides 1 6 Yellow Cards 1 1 Red Cards 0 0   In the other match, Australia thrashed Russia 5-0. Kothryn Gill finished with an hat-trick and Lisa De Vanna added other two goals. China and Australia are same at points and goal differences but China defeated Aussie 3-0 in the second round. Finally, the home side claimed the title of the tournament and Australia took the second place.   Standings W L D GF GA GD TP China          2 1  0   6    3   3   6 Australia      2 1 0   6    3   3    6 Germany     2 1  0  3    1   2    6 Russia        0 0  3  1    9   -8    0