China's women's soccer players are distraught at the prospect their coach will be dumped after failing to meet the benchmark set in her contract.

Swedish born coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors has graciously accepted responsibility for China's exit from the FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinals and now awaits the discretion of Chinese Football Association (CFA) officials.

Marika Domanski-Lyfors failed to lead China's women's team into the World Cup semifinals but national fans and officials took hope from the team's encouraging performance and expect Marika Domanski-Lyfors to be retained for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. [China Daily]

But the vocal support of both players and chief officials are strong signs that the dignified mentor will be retained - and steer the team to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. "We should cheer for the players and the coach, and give our thanks to Domanski-Lyfors," Xie Yalong, vice-president of CFA, said in an endorsement of the brand of attacking soccer played by China.

China's 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Norway on Sunday, a consequence of a number of fluffed goal chances and a crucial defensive blunder from rookie Wang Kun, left players, coaches and spectators weeping at the Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium.

No one blames Wang - neither teammates nor usually critical media - but she said it would take some time to recover from the shattering moment.

"I am concerned if the coach will leave the job because of the mistake," she lamented.

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