China lost 2-0 to Germany on Tuesday in a match local media had dubbed a 'match of vengeance' in the women's Four-Nation soccer tournament.

Goals from Annike Krahn and Renate Lingor gave the world champions their first win over the Steel Roses since their 8-0 victory in the opening round of Athens' Olympic Games.

Krahn put Germany ahead seven minutes into the match on a chilly night in the southern port city of Quanzhou as the 19-year-old's long range strike got past an unprepared Zhang Yanru in goal.

Lingor, who had scored her side's only goal this tournament prior to the match, took the free kick, which was deflected by a Chinese defender and netted.

The Chinese team was closest to scoring at 68 minutes when referee Natalia Avdonchenko awarded them a penalty due to a hand ball, but Li Jie's shot was saved by goalie Silke Rottenberg.

China still finished top of the tournament standings and Australia, trouncing Russia 5-0 yesterday, came second. Russia ended in fourth place after three losses.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2005)