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)