China advanced as group leaders in the Toulon soccer tournament with a 2-1 decisive win against Ghana in southern France on June 5.

Chen Tao(C) dribbles through Ghanaian defence.

The Chinese team will now go to the semifinals against group A runners-up Cote d'Ivoire on June 7. France will take on Portugal in the other semifinal.

Ghana took the lead eight minutes into the game, taking advantage of a mistake by a defender Wang Shouting. But China rallied back in the second half with goals from playmakerr Chen Tao and forward Jiang Ning, who scored both of the goals in the team's 2-1 win over Holland in last round.

China's Serbian coach Ratomir Dujkovic was satisfied with the win, saying the team's strategy to fight for the championship was unchanged.

Like its previous match, China battled hard to protect its advantage in the ending moments, after defender Lu Jianjun was brandished his second yellow card and sent off 12 minutes before the end of the game.

Portugal follows China's steps to the semifinals after drawing a 0-0 tie with Holland in the other Group B match.

In Group A, France was in good shape as they slashed Germany 4-1, following a 5-1 win over Japan in the last round. Cote d'Ivoire edged Japan 1-0.