"We did a very good job on the free kicks. In modern football, a third of all goals are the results of free kicks. I think China will be able to do even better in the future."

There is also increasing concern over the team's defense under the new French coach, who took over in October last year after former coach Marika Domanski-Lyfors quit.

China scored two convincing wins over ROK during Marika's term, stirring doubts among media and fans about Loisel at the helm.

"This is a match in a major tournament. But last year's two ties were friendly matches," said the 44-year-old in her own defense. "You play with different pressure and rhythm, so I do not think it's right to compare this match to the past wins.

"We also lost to them before as ROK is a very strong team."

China bowed 2-0 to ROK in the inaugural women's sub-continental cup in 2005, but it was China's only loss to its neighbor in the past 20 years.

The Frenchwoman, who previously coached the French national team, is anxious to establish herself in her new post, having faced a torrent of criticism of her training methods and accusations of frequently arriving late for training.

Hotpot tensions

Tempers reached a boiling point recently after Loisel ordered players not to attend a hotpot dinner arranged by Chinese officials because of dietary concerns.

Chinese officials hit back, overruling the hotpot ban and issuing a public rebuke against her, ordering Loisel to keep out of off-pitch affairs.

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