Chinanews, Mar.28 - Former Swedish national women's soccer team boss Lyfors Domanski has become the first-ever foreign coach to head hosts China for the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in July, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) was quoted by Xinhua as saying on Tuesday.

 

As the only candidate for heading the recently trouble-riddled "Steel Roses", Domanski will shoulder the difficult task of leading China to the semifinals of the World Cup and at least to win a medal at the Beijing Olympic Games 2008.

 

Domanski led Sweden to the 2003 World Cup final which they lost to Germany. She stepped down after nine years as Sweden's coach in2005, but still works for the Swedish Football Association and coaches the under-21 side.

 

Chinese coach Ma Liangxing left his position in January for an "heart illness", and his request of returning after rehabilitation was denied by the CFA.