TOKYO, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's steel roses were defeated 0-2 by Japan in the opening match of East Asian Football Championships Saturday.

The host female team overwhelmed the first half. In the 19th minute, Japan's midfielder Miyama Aya drilled a freeball from 25 meters away, which hit the post and reflected into the net.

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Kinka Yukari of Japan scored a second amid a chaos of the Chinese defense, and consolidated the victory of the host team.

China's best chance came at the end of the first half. Li Danyang's header was met with the cross bar, missing an opportunity to pull back a score.

The championships is the fourth of its kind, grouping China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong of China and Chinese Taipei in men's and women's competition.

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