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)