China, the 17th AFC women's Asian Cup hosts, face tough challenges from their Asian rivals as they seek to a top-three finish in the tournament.

The AFC women's Asian Cup will be held in the soccer-mad city of Chengdu from May 19 to 30. The top three will qualify for next year's World Cup in Germany.

Although a place in the World Cup is a minimum target for China who have reached the final of the Asian Cup in 10 of the last 11 editions, it will be no easy for them as their Asian rivals are all eying for a World Cup ticket.

"As the Asian Cup serves as a qualifying tournament for the World Cup, it should be very exciting. The Chinese team are well prepared and we'll do our bestin Chengdu," said head coach Shang Ruihua on Tuesday.

China will kick off a difficult group-stage campaign on Wednesday by taking on South Korea in the Group B opener. Australia and Vietnam are also in the group. The top two finishers will reach the semifinals.

According to the latest FIFA women's rankings, China stands at 12th ahead of South Korea (21). Though China had 20 victories in their previous 23 meetings, they face a tough battle against South Korea.

"The South Korean women's team developed very fast in recent years, and they have shown their high level in the recent competitions. They are a strong rival to all the teams in Asia," Shang said.

"The game against South Korea is the first in Group B, and it is also a very exciting one in the Asian Cup. Their style is quite like Japan as they have good techniques and teamwork. They are very difficult to deal with. But we have prepared in all aspects," he added.

"They have advantages in techniques, but we have faster speed. We are good at attacking," Shang said. "We will perform an offensive style to please the audience."

Shang also revealed good news that forward Han Duan has fully recovered from her foot injury and she has already been back for training.

South Korea coach Lee Sang-yeop expressed his confidence in his squad and set a goal of reaching the May 30 final.

"We have never won the Asian Cup before, and no one knows why. This time we have a good chance to achieve something. We hope to reach the final, and the squad is the strongest we've ever had," Lee said. "The first match with China, we have no pressure and no fear. We will do our best."

Australia are also a strong rival for China. Australia lost on penalties to China in the 2006 final in Adelaide, and they are aiming to win the Asian Cup at their third attempt since becoming a member of the AFC.

"We prepared very hard," said Tom Sermanni, coach of the Australia team. "Our team changed a lot after the World Cup in 2007 as at least five players retired. Now it's a much younger team which are very energetic."

"Australia won over China in 2007 and I heard they have beaten DPR Korea 3-2 recently," said Shang. "They are a team with European style and I believe it's a good chance for the Asia teams to play with them."

"I hope Australia can reach the final and the best final to me is Australia against China." He added.

If China reach the semifinal, they will probably meet reigning champion DPR Korea and fast- improving Japan in the stage, which are the top two seeds in Group A and will be strong favorites to advance to the last four ahead of Southeast Asian duo Myanmar and Thailand.

China last won the Asian Cup in Adelaide in 2006 after a record seven successive titles from 1983 to 1999.

However, DPR Korea have become Asia's dominant force in women's soccer over the past decade and are eyeing their fourth title in five editions after wins in 2001, 2003 and 2008, when they beat China 2-1 in the final in Ho Chi Minh City.

"We have won the Asian Cup three times, and we are aiming for the champion this time also," said Kim Kwang-Min on Tuesday.

DPR Korea will take on Thailand in their opening match on May. 20.

Japan, whose stars include the legendary Homare Sawa, have cause to believe they can break the DPR Korea-China stranglehold and win the title for the first time, following three appearances in the final.

Norio Sasaki's charges beat Mexico 4-0 and 3-0 in recent friendlies and will enter the Asian Cup as the continent's joint top-ranked side, sitting tied fifth with DPR Korea in the FIFA women's World Ranking.

In February, Japan beat East Asian rivals China, South Korea and Chinese Taipei to successfully defend the EAFF women's championship title they won in Chongqing two years ago.

Japan were also Asia's top finishers in the 2008 Olympics in China when they reached the semifinals after beating the hosts, and now Sasaki is aiming for glory in both Chengdu and Germany.

"Our aim is to qualify for the World Cup and do our best at the Asian Cup," said Sasaki here on Tuesday. "It will be very tough in the Group stage as DPR Korea is a very strong team. It will also be a tough game if we meet China in the semifinal."