Nanjing: DPR Korea capitalised on a mix-up in the China defence to claim a 1-0 win and keep their AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2011 title hopes alive at the Jiangning Sports Centre on Thursday.
Kim Phyong-hwa converted an easy chance in the 46th minute after the hosts had allowed Ri Hyang-sim to nick possession deep in their own six-yard box.
The victory moved DPR Korea on to nine points from four games and made a top-three spot which would seal their place at next year's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup all but secure.
China's chances of winning the championship are over though, with their hopes of a top-three finish resting on their final match against Korea Republic.
DPR Korea started the brighter, but they could not find the right final pass as China struggled to get out of their own half
Coach Hwang Yong-bong admitted his side lacked composure up front against Australia and they were rushed again when in promising positions.
The hosts threatened for the first time when Song Duan's pace and a neat one-two allowed her to escape her marker down the right.
She swung in a decent cross but it just evaded Dong Jiabao at the far post.
DPR Korea had penalty appeal correctly waved away when Ri Kyong-hyang tumbled under minimal contact in the area.
China goalkeeper Lu Feifei then completely missed a right-wing cross under pressure from Ri Un-sim, but, with Kim Phyong-hwa stooping to head what looked a certain opener, Lu recovered brilliantly to scramble the ball around the post.
Kim Phyong-hwa had another sight of goal, but failed to get a clean connection on her far-post volley and her weak shot was easy for Lu.
But she put her side ahead in the first minute of the second-half as China shot themselves in the foot.
The defence tried to shepherd the ball out of play only to allow Ri Hyang-sim to nick possession and, although she was crowded out, the ball fell to Kim Phyong-hwa to slot home a low shot from eight yards.
Kim Un-hwa then had a powerful shot from outside the area tipped over the top by Lu.
China tried push for an equaliser but never looked like finding a way through.
Instead, Jo Ryon-hwa should have doubled DPR Korea's lead in stoppage time, but blasted her shot against the underside of the bar when clean through.
We made our luck says Hwang
Nanjing: DPR Korea coach Hwang Yong-bong admitted his side's winning goal had a touch of good fortune but insisted they deserved their 1-0 win over China in the AFC U-16 Women's Championship 2011 on Thursday.
Kim Phyong-hwa scored at the start of the second-half at the Jiangning Sports Centre after a mix-up in the China defence allowed Ri Hyang-sim to nick possession in their own six-yard box.
The victory moved DPR Korea on to nine points from four games and made a top-three spot which would seal their place at next year's FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup all but secure.
"I agree that the goal was a bit lucky," Hwang (pictured) said.
"But it was scored according to how we had planned our tactics. We trained to create a goal by getting down the wings and cutting the ball back into the centre.
"In the other matches our players lacked composure and they couldn't convert their chances but on this occasion they showed their patience. I am satisfied with that goal, but sorry we missed some other simple chances.
"Our girls don't have much experience because for most of the players, this is their first international tournament so they are not perfectly prepared to take all their chances."
DPR Korea were especially guilty of missing chances in their opening 1-0 defeat to Japan, which could ultimately cost them the title.
China's hopes of a top-three finish in the six-team round-robin competition now rest on their final match against Korea Republic.
China coach Fan Xuewei was left to rue the moment of hesitation between goalkeeper Lu Feifei and defender Chen Pingping, who tried unsuccessfully to shield the ball from Ri in the build-up to the goal.
"According to our prediction I thought that this match should have been a draw," he said.
"I am very sad that due to our own mistake we lost the match. In the matches between us and Japan (which Japan won 3-0) and us and DPR Korea, we have conceded in total four goals and three of them because of our own mistakes, especially this one.
"I think the cause of this mistake was the lack of communication between defender and goalkeeper. The goalkeeper was changed this time and she is our substitute player and they had problems in their understanding."
IL GIAPPONE DOPO LA VITTORIA SULLA COREA DEL SUD (3-0) E' CAMPIONE. LA RPDC HA GARANTITO IL SECONDO POSTO CHE PORTA ALLA QUALIFICAZIONE AL MONDIALE UNDER-17 DEL 2012 IN AZERBAJIAN.