¡¡¡¡PORTLAND, United States, Sept. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Ma Liangxing, head coach of China women's football team, said here on Saturday that he was surprised by Russia's progress in the ongoing fourth Women's World Cup.

¡¡¡¡China, who arrived at this northwest U.S. city Friday afternoon,will take on Russia in their last Group D game in the PGE Park on Sunday night. China will need at least one point to qualify for the quarterfinals.

¡¡¡¡"We had studied several video tapes of Russia's matches before leaving China and felt they were just an average side," Ma said. "But after the first two group matches, we are surprised to find that they seem to have changed overnight."

¡¡¡¡Russia have already booked their berth in the final eight by beating Australia 2-1 and no hopers Ghana.

¡¡¡¡But Ma said that with his Steel Roses' form getting better and better, China can beat Russia on Sunday to get through as the group leader.

¡¡¡¡A win will put China in a very good position, where they can avoid European champions Germany in the knock-out stage. Enditem