Nadeshiko Japan is in need of a miracle to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after the former world champion lost 2-1 to China on Friday.
Zhang Rui and Gu Yasha struck for China before Japan pulled one back through Kumi Yokoyama, which proved insufficient for the Asian champion.
Japan has just one point from three games in the six-team, round-robin qualifying tournament. Australia, on a perfect nine points, fortified its lead with a 2-0 win over South Korea with China trailing on seven points.