China has aimed at a top-four finish at the women's soccer World Cup late this year on home soil, a sports senior official told Xinhua in Chengdu on Friday.

"Playing in front of the enthusiastic home fans, Chinese women's national team should show out some high-quality performance. And the fans would not forgive us if our team failed to make the semifinals," said Xie Yalong, Chief Director of China's soccer administrative center.

"Personally, I think China should head for Shanghai where the final takes place," he added.

The boss of Chinese soccer governing body rated a rapid development of the women's soccer in the world and forsaw some really heated matches at the forthcoming World Cup.

"Women kickers now play as tight games as the men, and they are physically strong. So I have faith in the participants to show their match and to cheer the fans," said Xie.

The 2007 Women's Soccer World Cup Finals are scheduled to be held at five cities of China, namely Shanghai, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu, on September 10-30.

The biggest city of China, Shanghai, will hold the final match as well as the opening and closing ceremony.

Chinese women made their best results from the 1999 World Cup held in the United States, where they came out the runners-up after losing to the hosts in the final.
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(Xinhua News Agency March 10, 2007)