China pip Netherlands to title

Netherlands 2-4 China
The Netherlands had to settle for second place in the Four Nations Cup at the Amsterdam Olympic Stadium after a defeat by China.

China prevail
Although they had beaten Switzerland 5-0 and South Africa 3-2, the Netherlands trailed China on goal difference at kick-off and coach Vera Pauw sent out her first-choice Oranje lineup, bringing back the likes of Karin Stevens, Manon Melis and Annemieke Kiesel-Griffioen after resting them in the previous match. The UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ hopefuls fell behind early in the second half, however, and despite finding an equaliser, they quickly condeded again before China then extended their advantage.

Exchange of goals
Melis came closest to opening the scoring before the break when she struck the crossbar, but two minutes after half-time China captain Bi Yan fired into the top corner. Straight from the restart Kirsten van de Ven broke down the left and hit the post, allowing Karin Stevens to turn in the rebound, yet Bi registered again barely two minutes later. Pang Fengyue then made it 3-1 with ten minutes left, and Lui Sa increased the lead in added time before Melis plundered a consolation effort following an attack down the right.

Lessons
Netherlands right-back Dyanne Bito said: "During this tournament we lost possession too quickly. That is something that has to improve. In recent weeks we have trained very intensively, but obviously that is different to playing international matches. These real matches were a great test for us on the way to the European Championship. But if we keep on training like we have done so far, then things will be OK in Finland." South Africa beat Switzerland 3-2 for third place.

EURO preparations
Pauw, who signed a new two-year contract on Monday, takes her side to Sinsheim to play Germany on Saturday week before welcoming Poland to Tilburg on 8 August and travelling to meet Russia in Moscow five days later. They begin their UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ campaign on 23 August against Ukraine before further Group A fixtures against hosts Finland and Denmark.

Netherlands: Geurts; Bito, Koster, Meulen, Hogewoning; Hoogendijk, Kiesel-Griffioen; Van de Ven (Van de Sanden, 71), Melis, Smit; Stevens.