Japan takes bronze at women's soccer Asian Cup

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan downed Australia 3-0 in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday to finish third at 2008 Women's Asian Football Championship.

Sixteen minutes into the game, Japanese player Yuki Nagasato drove the ball over the Australian goalie, scoring the opening goal. Her teammates Aya Miyama and Homare Sawa netted one apiece in the second half.

The Asian Women's Football Championship, also known as AFC Women's Asian Cup and the Asian Women's Championship, has been dominated by Asia-Pacific countries and regions with defending champion China having seven consecutive triumphs. Chinese Taipei has claimed the title three times, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea twice.