China and Canada will meet in the second-round of Group E at the Olympic women's soccer on Saturday.
The Chinese would display how the more delicate and diminutive Asian players could compete with their stronger and speedy North American counterparts.
The two teams, with three points each from the first round, is eager for another three points to ensure itself a place in last eight.
The Chinese Steel Roses, beating the European powerhouse Sweden 2-1 in the opener on Wednesday, have showed their ambitions of winning an Olympic medal at home.
If China beat Canada, it will very possibly finish top in this group after its next group match against underdogs Argentina. The top place may help hosts avoid mighty Germany and Brazil from Group F in the knock-out stage.
"The Canadian players are physically stronger than us, and play even more aggressively than the Swedes," Shang Rihua told Xinhua. "But their technique looked not so good as Sweden."
"Our young players may not adapt to the opponents' playing style but for the veterans, that is not a problem," Shang added.
China's short-passing game will be in direct opposition to Canada's honest hustle and bustle.
"We need to count on our technique advantage to beat Canada's strong physical conditions," Shang said. "We will try hard to possess the ball better and make short passes as many as possible."
In 2003, Canada scored a late goal to eliminate China in the quarterfinals of FIFA World Cup. The Steel Roses hopes the history won't repeat itself in Tianjin.
"We have to avoid mistakes when the opponents press us," Shang said. "A single mistake may change the whole game."
Canada has eight wins, five draws and five losses in 18 international matches this year and currently sits ninth in the FIFA rankings, ahead of China's No.14.
"China is a strong team and gets better every time we play them. I know this is a boring statement but it's true." Canada head coach Even Pellerud said.
"We know how to handle China," head coach Even Pellerud said. "We've been smart with visits for friendly games and tournaments."
Canada's top scorer Christine Sinclair, with 93 goals in 120 international games, will be the major threat to China. She said Canada would fortify its attacking during the game against China in a pursuit of victory.
"Playing against the host will always be hard," admitted the 24-year-old striker.
"Sinclair is in a good form," the team's assistant coach Ian Bridge said. "She scored several goals in our warm-up games."
However, China should not concentrate on Singclair alone, Melissa Tancredi, Kara Lang and Hermus are also part of the team's big picture.
(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)