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PORTLAND, United States, Oct. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- China women's soccer coach Ma Liangxing
cannot believe that his team has already reached the quarter-finals of
the fourth Women's World Cup.
"I feel like in a dream," Ma said. "Looking into the mirror after getting
up this morning, I asked myself: 'Is it true?'"
But the Chinese coach said he still feels cold down his spine when thinking
of the team's tough road to the last eight.
"We were just standing on thin ice," he said. "I could not helpthinking of Russian
No. 4's deadly freekick and Australian No. 7's fantastic dribbling. Any
mistake should have cost our chance to progress from the group."
China advanced to the knockout stage as Group D winner, edging Ghana 1-0,
drawing Australia 1-1 before prevailing over Russia 1-0.
"This is my first World Cup experience. I am nervous and sleepless under so
much pressure," Ma said.
He added: "Before every group match, my heart beat accelerated. I could not
help that. Maybe I should have taken some pills. But finally I think I am a
lucky man."
Ma, who took over as China coach in early 2002, said that he always washed
his head with cold water the night before a match, which could help him ease the
pressure.
"But I could not feel any pressure in match day mornings," he said. "There
was only one world in my mind -- WIN."
After the last group game with Russia, Ma has been reading materials and
watching videos of Canada's games in hopes to find some weaknesses of their
quarter-final opponents.
"But I have not found their loopholes," Ma said. "I must stay up late every
night to go over all the tapes and materials again.
"After coming to the United States, I always feel that time is not enough
to prepare for a match, because this is World Cup."
Ma's team had two training sessions on Wednesday, China's national day.
"I am confident, so is every player in the squad," he said. "Wewill win the
match for our country. A semifinal berth will be a perfect gift for China's 54th
birthday." Enditem | 
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