Nadeshiko Japan is in need of a miracle to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after the former world champions went down 2-1 at the hands of China on Friday.
Goals from Zhang Rui and Gu Yasha sent China on its way past Japan, which again outpossessed its opponent but had only Kumi Yokoyama's second-half goal to show for.
The Asian champions have just one point from three games and are fifth in the six-team, round-robin qualifying tournament. Australia fortified its lead on a perfect nine points with a 2-0 win over South Korea, with China trailing on seven points.