Chinese players cheer after the women's gold medal match of hockey against Japan at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2006. China beat Japan 1-0 in the event. (Xinhua Photo/Wang Lei)

Chian beat Japan 1-0 to defend the women's hockey title at the Doha Asian Games on Wednesday.

Chinese team pressed very hard in the first half and controlled the ball much more than Japan, but China also wasted a number of scoring chances.

China's best chance came in the 8th minute when unguarded Fu Baorong received the ball in semi-circle, but her reverse stick shot just slipped past the net in a little margin.

A Chinese player (red) competes during the women's gold medal match of hockey against Japan at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2006.(Xinhua Photo/Wang Lei)

In the 20th minute, China were awarded the first corner penalty, but Japan's player denied the shot soon.

In the 30th minute, Gao Lihua missed a very good opportunity to score. She shot a loose ball wide in semi-circle.

Japan's only chance to shot in first half appeared in the 43rd minute from a corner penalty, but they also failed to produce a goal.

China extended their dominance of the game in the second half. It took only five minutes after the break for China to earn their second corner penalty.

China did not allow the chance to slip again. Ren Ye converted the penalty corner into net in the left corner by recieving a quick pass from Mai Shaoyan.

Japan fought hard in the last 20 minutes and got a couple of chances. Japan's best chance to level the score came in the 68th minute.

A Chinese player (red) competes during the women's gold medal match of hockey against Japan at Doha Asiad, Qatar, Dec. 13, 2006.(Xinhua Photo/Wang Lei)

Japan's leading scorer Kaori Chiba launched a very fast counterattack to pull off a corner penalty, but Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Yimeng made a superb save to secure China's title.

"We are fully prepared for the gold match. I think we are capable of winning the title. I still set my target on the Beijing Olympic Games," said commented Chinese coach Kim Changback.

"We count the final as a revenge match of world championships," said Yang Chao, secretary general of China Hockey Association.

"We finished in a poor tenth place in the world championships. Both South Korea and Japan defeated us there, so I think our team today fought for their honor," added Yang.

This is China's second time to play in women's hockey final in Asian Games. Japan are yet to win their first Asiad title as a three-time silver medallists in the tournament.

At Busan 2002, China beat South Korea 2-1 to win their first Asian Games title. China have also won one silver and two bronze medals previously at the Asian Games.

Editor: Donald