Players of China celebrate after winning the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
CHENGDU, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's women's flag football team secured its first-ever victory at The World Games 2025 on Saturday, staging a second-half comeback to defeat Japan 28-22 in the consolation semifinals.
Trailing 14-13 at halftime, the host nation surged in the second half with a 15-8 run to clinch the historic win in its international debut.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the newly formed China team, established only this year. After suffering a narrow two-point loss to world No. 4 Austria in the opener on Thursday, China fell to Canada and the United States in subsequent preliminary games.
"This win means everything. Every successful defensive stop made us excited," said China captain Feng Haolin. "This is our national team's first-ever victory. It's historic, and we'll remember this match decades from now."
The win advances China to Sunday's fifth-place game against Britain. Japan will face Italy for the seventh place.
Earlier on Saturday, China was eliminated from the quarterfinals after losing 40-0 to Mexico. Mexico later defeated Canada 25-13 to reach Sunday's gold medal game against the United States, who edged Austria 46-39 in the other semifinal. ■
Lin Wenze (front) of China falls during the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
A spectator takes selfies with Wang Xin (front R) of China after the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Players of China celebrate scoring during the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Players of China pose for photos with spectators after the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Yagi Tomoyo (C) of Japan competes during the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Qiu Zitong (R) of China celebrates during the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Lin Wenze of China celebrates after scoring a touch down during the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Team China greet spectators after winning the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Wang Xin (C) of China competes during the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Members of team China celebrate victory at the end of the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Players of China celebrate after winning the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
Lin Wenze (2nd R) of China and Gao Zixuan (2nd L) of China react during the Flag Football Women's Consolation 5-8 Game between Japan and China at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Wei Xiang)
