Japan upset DPRK, into Olympics women's soccer finals
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-04-25 17:32

Japan stunned the strong DPR Korea 3-0 at home on Saturday to qualify for the Athens Olympic women's soccer finals.

China will join Japan in Monday's qualifying tournament final after beating South Korea 1-0 in Hiroshima.

Striker Mio Otani was the home side heroine, setting up Eriko Arakawa's first goal in the 11th minute and scoring the third goal in the 64th in front of an ecstatic home crowd.

The second came courtesy of a Jang Ok-Gyong own goal in first-half injury time.

Japan had not beaten DPR Korea for more than a decade with eight straight losses since their last victory in 1991. They scored nothing in their four previous encounters.

Japan will play their second Olympics after Atlanta 1996 and China will make their third appearance in Athens.

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