IN BRIEF (Page 22)

SOCCER

China beats Japan to enter final

China came from one goal behind to beat Japan 3-1 in the semifinals of the Women's soccer Asian Cup yesterday in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

China was 0-1 down in the first half after Japan's Homare Sawa scored in the 46th minute.

However, subsitute Wang Dandan emerged as the hero for China, leveling the score in the 61st minute. Six minutes later, her second goal put China ahead before Han Duan added another goal in the 74th minute.

This is China's first win over Japan in three years after a draw and three defeats in their previous four meetings.

China will play the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the final. The DPRK outplayed Australia 3-0 in the other semifinal game earlier yesterday.

Kaka ruled out of Argentina clash

RIO DE JANEIRO: Kaka has been ruled out of Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Argentina this month after undergoing surgery on his knee two weeks ago, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said on Wednesday.

The AC Milan playmaker had the operation on his left knee on May 23 and coach Dunga has decided that it would be too soon for him to play in the two games, the CBF said.

Brazil visits Paraguay, leader of the South American World Cup qualifying group, on June 15 and hosts archrival Argentina three days later.

The CBF said that Milan had sent a document setting June 10 as the day the World Player of the Year could resume training.

"Due to the deadline established by Milan, we decided not to take any risks with the player, who is in a recovery phase," Dunga told the CBF website (www.cbf.com.br).

"His participation in these two games would be premature."

Brazil is in the United States, where it beat Canada 3-2 in a friendly last Saturday and faces Venezuela on Friday.

Pele weighs in on altitude debate

SANTIAGO: Brazil's Pele has criticized FIFA's recent decision to lift a ban on playing World Cup qualifiers at more than 2,750 m above sea level.

"If we are thinking about equality and protecting the players, if there's a chance to play in a lower city in the same country it would be better for the protection of the players," he told reporters on Wednesday during a visit to Santiago.

FIFA last month reversed a ruling that banned matches at high altitude. Its decision will allow Bolivia to stage games in its traditional venue La Paz, 3,600 m above sea level, and for Ecuador to host matches in the capital Quito at 2,800 m.

Pele's opinion is in contrast to that of Argentina great Diego Maradona, who has spoken out in favor of allowing La Paz to stage games and in March played in a charity game there with Bolivia President Evo Morales.

Morales led a high-profile campaign against the FIFA ban.

Spain wins on Xavi solo goal

SANTANDER, Spain: Midfielder Xavi scored a fine individual goal to earn Spain an unconvincing 1-0 win over the United States in its final Euro 2008 warmup on Wednesday.

Spain dominated for long spells but found it difficult to break down a well-organized US defense.

The home team showed more urgency as the second half progressed and hit the woodwork twice before Xavi dribbled his way through a crowd of players to score the only goal with 12 minutes to go.

The victory extended Spain's unbeaten run to 16 games.

The Spaniards begins its Group D campaign against Russia in Innsbruck on Tuesday.

Holder Greece and Sweden are in the same section.

BASEBALL

Smoltz to undergo surgery

ATLANTA: All-star Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder next week in a bid to extend his career.

The 41-year-old veteran was activated from the 15-day disabled list as a reliever on Monday but finally accepted he could no longer continue fighting through the pain.

"It is certainly mixed emotions from the standpoint that I am relieved that I don't have to go through this (pain)," Smoltz told a news conference at Turner Field on Wednesday.

"Sleep has been very difficult for me. I have not had much sleep in the last four or five months. There has been a lot of pain.

"Certainly my job is to get hitters out and try to be as professional as I can and it has been a tough environment for me personally (this season)."

(China Daily 06/06/2008 page22)