Chinese women's football team needs three points from Argentina in their final group match here on Tuesday to ensure a good knockout stage birth in the Olympic women's football tournament.
Argentina was perceived as an underdog in the group due to their bad performance in last year's Women's World Cup. The 11-0 loss to Germany in 2007 again overshadowed their image.
However, their performance in the first two group matches already showed how much the team had progressed since then. Although lost to Canada 2-1 and Sweden 1-0, they apparently knew better how to possess balls on the pitch.
"We played against Argentina in friendly games last year and we know it is going to be a tough match," Chinese head coach Shang Ruihua said in a prudent tone in the press conference before the match.
"They already showed their techniques and never-give-up mental preparation in the first two games. We must be aware of that," he said.
China has won one match and drawn one - a good result for the team so far.
"We got 4 points from the first two group matches. I would say 90 percent of what we did was good, but the rest 10 percent was not enough," he said.
"We played too harsh, and used too many direct attacking patterns. In this game, we should demonstrate our own style," he said.
Yet it is still unclear whether China would send the team's top scorer, Han Duan, on the pitch. She scored the winning goal for in the first game against Sweden, and got injured afterwards.
"I feel much better now after a few days rest," Han said. "I will also attend the afternoon training session."
"As long as I am with my team, I am happy," she said.
For Argentina side, this is also an important match as it is their final hope to progress to the finals.
The best two third-placed teams out of the three groups will also advance to the final round. If Argentina could beat China and grab three points, it still has an opportunity.
"We have to maintain ball possessions and try to avoid their attacks," Argentina's head coach, Jose Carlos Borrello, said. "We have to avoid their long balls, and to be successful in this match."
"We are all waiting for this game. We still have chances to go to the knockout round," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2008)