(BEIJING, January 9) -- Elizabeth Loisel, the head coach of the Chinese women's football national team showed her confidence to lead the Chinese national women's football team through to the last four at the Beijing Olympics in an interview published on FIFA's official website on Tuesday.

Having gotten settled in the nation for several months, Elisabeth Loisel felt it an honor to coach the national team with a strong football tradition and international pedigree in the world's most populous nation.

Favoring Chinese culture for years, the Frenchwoman said she was totally obsessed with the nation as a China fan, so it's not surprising she gave a quick nod after CFA gave her the offer to take over for former head coach Marika Domanski, who led the Chinese women's football team, or "Steel Roses," to the top eight of the 2007 World Cup on home soil but missed the target of top four.

Elizabeth unfolded her China career with a flying start with two recent friendly wins over the New Zealand team at the end of 2007. She considered the victories a morale-booster for the girls, particularly defeating a Women's World Cup team.

"The New Zealand team was limited to fewer chances and zero goals in two matches, and my team did excellent performances with good techniques and well discipline during the game and I think the girls could be more competitive if they gain better physical energy and fitness," said the coach.

Taking the helm of the national team for two months, she was quite satisfied with her team, especially for their individual skills, such as good techniques and fast speed. And something needs to improve, said Loisel, and should be more creative and imaginative to produce chances in the game.

The girls and the coach will face their next challenges in the Four-Nation Women's Championship and Algarve Cup in 2008. The 45-year old French coach said she does wish her team would win in every game, but their long-term goal is the Beijing Olympics in August; they will take every opportunity to prepare for the Games.

When asked when top striker Ma Xiaoxu would recover from her knee injury in the second friendly against New Zealand, she expressed firm belief that Ma could come back and play a key role in August but did not elaborate on the date of the striker's return.

China failed to reach the semi-finals at last year's FIFA Women's World Cup. Upon this major disappointment, she said one of the most effective ways was to play as many games as possible against strong teams to discover mistakes because a team could learn to improve from their mistakes. And the players must also learn to feel strong against the world's best, as without self-esteem and confidence, no one can win any game.

Elizabeth's goal in the Beijing Olympics is the top four, and she believes her team has many reasons to achieve the goal, despite the limited time to prepare.

"I hope my time in charge of China will be a memorable page in my coaching career and that China have a successful Olympic campaign," she said.