PORTLAND, Ore. - Bai Jie scored in the 16th minute as China

beat Russia 1-0 Sunday night to claim first place in Group D

Women's World Cup play.

China had already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals thanks to

Ghana's 2-1 win over Australia in the earlier match. China now

plays Canada on Thursday at PGE Park, while Russia, the runner-up

in group D, will play Germany.

China jumped out early when Bai got past Russia goalkeeper Alla

Volkova, who ran helplessly behind.

Despite increased pressure in the second half, Russia had no

luck against China goalkeeper Han Wenxia. Vera Stroukova came

closest with a free kick that narrowly missed the goal.

Volkova made a critical save in the 77th minute when Bai charged

at her alone and she unflinchingly blocked the shot.

Sun Wen missed an earlier opportunity for China when her

first-half header caromed off the goalpost.

Sun led the tournament with seven goals in 1999, when the

Americans beat the Chinese 5-4 on penalty kicks for the title at

the Rose Bowl.

She has one goal in the competition, 106 in her career and 11 in

World Cup play, one shy of Michelle Akers' Cup record. The

30-year-old has said she will retire after the World Cup.

Russia (2-1) had clinched a spot in the quarterfinals with 3-0

win over Ghana on Thursday.

China, which was supposed to host the World Cup before it was

moved because of the SARS outbreak, beat Ghana but played to a 1-1

tie against Australia before downing Russia to claim the top

ranking in Group D.

The game was played before an announced crowd of 19,132 at PGE

Park, home of the Triple-A Portland Beavers baseball team, and the

soccer's A-League Portland Timbers.