Norway beat China 1-0 in Algarve Cup
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-16 11:28

ALBUFEIRA, Portugal, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Norway beat China 1-0 to finish fifth in the Algarve Cup women's football competition on Wednesday.

Midfielder Trine Ronning scored the winner for Norway in the 75th minute when her lightning shot pierced China's defense and Chinese goalkeeper Han Wenxia could do nothing but watch the ball fly past her.

Norway changed to play a tight-marking and aggressive game after a dull first half, keeping their Chinese rivals at bay.

China's defense, which had nullified Norway's numerous attacks, finally succumbed with a quarter to go when Ronning stepped in from midfield to drive a 25-meter shot past Han.

"I expected something bad would happen when my side were put under siege by Norway's attacks," said Chinese head coach Ma Liangxing.

"Under such circunstances, my players cannot hold on for a long time. Norway would score sooner or later. We lost to a better team today," he added.

China had chance to equalise in the 87th minute when substitute Sun Wen's solo run was thwarted by the daunting Norwegian goalkeeper Bente Nordby.