Women's soccer team head coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors believes
the team's first crown under her leadership at the 2007
International Four-Nation Invitational will boost confidence levels
ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
"We'll take confidence from the tournament. That's the most
important thing I expected from it, and it is a key to building up
my World Cup squad," Domanski told Xinhua News Agency.
China edged Mexico 1-0 in the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympic
Games test event on Tuesday night in Shenyang, completing a run of
consecutive victories in the July 1-10 tournament, co-hosted by
Olympic soccer cities Shenyang and Qinhuangdao.
The event has served as a test for all aspects of the
organization of the Olympic Games soccer events, such as reception
services, safety and security, transportation, medical care,
broadcasting, volunteering and weather forecasting services.
Though all wins were against lower ranked teams like Thailand,
Italy and Mexico - all of which failed to qualify for the World Cup
finals - Domanski was happy with the progress of her players.
"It's a tough competition but we played very well. Winning is
the most important thing. Our players have been tested a lot by the
matches."
China is seeded in Group D of the September's 2007 Women's World
Cup, and it must get past Brazil, Denmark and New Zealand to keep
expectant home fans happy.
"Although we are drawn in a very tough group, I still have
confidence of achieving the goal."
With the Swedish coach at the helm, the Chinese team has won six
times, drawn twice and lost twice, including to world champions
Germany.
Domanski, who favors an attacking style of play, has picked 34
players for the team roster and tried various line-ups in her games
so far.
Striker Han Duan has cemented her position in the attack after
scoring 10 goals in four games, while veteran forward Zhang Ouyang
has come out of retirement and impressed with her movement and
touch
The new coach has yet to include star striker Ma Xiaoxu in the
line-up but hopes to do so later this month. Ma, AFC's Women's
Player of the Year, is currently playing in Sweden with champions
Umea IK.
Defending champions Germany, the United States and Norway are
seeds in the three other groups for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007
slated for September 10-30 in Shanghai, Tianjin, Wuhan, Hangzhou
and Chengdu.
(China Daily July 13, 2007)