China win women's hockey gold

China benefitted from a disputed penalty-stroke goal to end South Korea's domination of Asian Games women's field hockey, winning 2-1 in the gold medal match on Friday.

China, winner of last month's Champions Trophy among the world's top six teams, underscored their status as the title favourites with goals from skipper Chen Zhao Xia and Fu Bao Rong in the second half.

The Chinese win ended South Korea's streak that ran from the 1986 gold medal in Seoul to the 1998 Games in Bangkok.

Ranked as Asia's top side during that period, South Korea went on to win an Olympic silver medal. They slumped in the rankings last year after several of their long-standing national players retired.

Chen slammed in a penalty-corner in the 38th minute, but Fu faltered in her 43rd minute attempt to put the penalty flick into the goal.

Japanese umpire Chieko Akiyama, however, awarded the goal by penalising goalkeeper Park Yong-sook for shuffling her feet.

The goal was hotly debated by the South Korean players, who said Fu's fumble had caused the goalkeeper to move, but umpire Akiyama waved them away.

Trailing by two goals, South Korea fought back to reduce the margin through Kim Seong-eun's flash strike in open-field play.

South Korea poured on the pressure in the last 10 minutes but couldn't get the equalizer.