WUHAN, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Russia took the 3rd place at the four-nation invitational women's football tournament here on Sunday after a 3-0 victory over Croatia.
A pair of strikes from Nadezda Smirnova and Nelli Korovkina put Russia firmly in charge at the the first half, and Korovkina sealed the matters after the break.
Croatia lost 2-1 to Cameroon in the preliminary round while Russia conceded to hosts China 4-1.
Russia dominated the game from the beginning and broke the dealock in the 12th minute with Smirnova's curler.
Croatia then wasted a golden opportunity as Izabela Lojna was open but had her attempt blocked by a Russian defender.
Russia doubled the lead in the 35th minute as Korovkina smashed in a first-time volley.
Croatia should have pulled one goal back just two minutes after the break as Ivana Rudelic's free kick rattled the wood work.
Russia sealed the match in the 61st minute as Korovkina had an open space to hit a daisy-cutter into the net.
