PORTLAND, United States - China advanced to the quarter-finals of the fourth Women's World Cup soccer tournament by leading group D after defeating a lacklustre Russia 1-0 at Portland's PGE Park last Sunday.

　　Coach Ma Liangxing's side became the luckiest team at the tournament, advancing to the final eight automatically before the kick-off since Ghana had produced an upset 2-1 victory over Australia.

　　The Steel Roses had to get at least one point to qualify should Ghana, which had already booked their flight home with two defeats from as many games, have lost to Australia.

　　After the victory, China will take on group C second placegetter Canada while Russia meet Germany in the knockout stage.

　　With pressure off their shoulders, China played an attacking game to search for a win, which could help them top group D and avoid European champions Norway in the quarter-finals.

　　Sun Wen, Golden Ball winner at the last World Cup, showed some magic touches, and defender-turned striker Bai Jie, who scored the equalizer in the last game against Australia, was also active up front.

　　China's fast attacking play apparently scared the Russians who placed five players at the back in an attempt to contain the strike force.

　　But the Russian efforts proved vain and found their Asian rivals in front after only 16 minutes. Sun's lobbing pass found an on-rushing Bai on the right, who dribbled past keeper Alla Volkova to put the ball at the back of the net, her second goal in three matches.

　　Han Wenxia, in the place of Zhao Yan between the posts, had a rare day off because the Russians were restricted in their own half.

　　China should have doubled their lead in the 21st minute, when they earned a penalty kick after Sun was brought down in the box. But midfielder Liu Ying's effort unbelievably went wide.

　　The Chinese women took complete control and the Russians played without organization that helped them win the first two matches against Australia and Ghana.

　　It seemed just a matter of time for China to score their second goal. Sun's header before the goal was just inches wide of the post and Zhao Lihong's long shot from 20 metres nearly arrowed into Russia's goal.

　　The Russians succeeded in bringing China's siege to a halt soon after the interval, but were still unable to create any clear-cut chances.

　　With the Russians pushing forward and looking for an equalizer, their defence was further exposed and gave the Chinese more chances.

　　But the Chinese women's finishing ability was really worrying, several golden chances being wasted.

　　Bai raced down from the left in the 72nd minute, directing the ball into Pu Wei's path but the midfielder failed to hit the target.

　　Three minutes later Pu blasted the ball over the crossbar just when it looked a sure goal.

　　They also created numerous freekicks and corners but failed to get a second goal.