WUHAN: China failed to qualify for the semifinals of the Women's Soccer World Cup after a narrow 1-0 loss to Norway yesterday - but the "Steel Roses'" exit from the big stage is not all doom and gloom.

China's Bi Yan reacts after missing a goal during the quarter-final soccer match in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup against Norway at the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium September 23, 2007. [Reuters]A costly mistake from defender Wang Kun in the first half cost the tournament host a spot in the final four despite outplaying the higher-ranked Norwegians for much of the match.

China's 28 scoring chances compared to Norway's eight do not reflect the final score.

"I am very sad for the girls," said China's emotional head coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors.

"They did what they could do in the game. They played really a very good game.

"Norway had just one good shooting chance in the first half and that was the goal.

"We did not take the opportunities to get the goal and that's why we did not make the semifinals."

Norwegian striker Isabell Herlovsen capitalized on Wang's blunder in the penalty area in the 32nd-minute.

The teenager rifled a left-foot shot into the roof of the net to help Norway scrape through to a meeting with Germany.

Domanski-Lyfors insisted China was the better team but Norway more efficient.

"We did very well technically and tactically," she said.

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