Brazil's women's soccer team, runners-up at the 2004 Olympic Games and last year's World Cup, will be better prepared if they get to the final again in Beijing, captain Marta said in an interview.

"The team is certainly stronger now and better prepared psychologically to play in a final," she told Reuters.

"Something positive has definitely come out of the competitions in which we've taken part, we are always gaining experience," added Marta, FIFA's Women's Player of the Year for the last two seasons.

Brazil lost 2-1 to the US in the final of the Athens Games four years ago when they were sunk by an Abby Wambach goal deep into extra-time.

More frustration followed when they were beaten 2-0 by Germany, their opening opponents at the 2008 Games, in last year's World Cup final with Marta missing a penalty.

"We need to pay more attention to detail," said Marta, who also played in the 2004 final.

"When we have a clear chance, we have to score. We need to be more patient and not lose concentration."

"That is what happened against Germany. We took the game to them, we created a number of clear-cut chances and we couldn't score a goal.

"That made us more and more frustrated, both physically and psychologically. It got to a point where we couldn't hit back."

Marta said she would happily exchange her FIFA awards for an Olympic gold.

"Certainly, it would be the most important prize of my career," she said. "I attach more value to something I have won in a group than an individual award.

"If you lose one year in an individual contest, you can get it back again next year. The Olympics come along every four years and you are representing your country.....it's something you can't explain."

Marta plays for Swedish club Umea and is one of only five foreign-based players in the Brazil squad.

Some of the other home-based players will go to Beijing following a long period of inactivity because the country has not had a national women's championship since 2001.

Unlike her male counterparts, who tend to hide from the public behind dark glasses, the striker said she enjoyed the attention back home.

"Children come up to me and say 'I want to be you when I grow up.'"

"That makes me very happy. It shows that people admire your work."

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily July 16, 2008)