"China lost because DPR Korea is a stronger team. We focused ondefense because we are facing a stronger rival," he said.

The Chinese coach noted that he was satisfied with his players,saying that they tried their best in the match.

But Ma also expressed confidence that his team will have a goodperformance at the women's soccer World Cup to be held in China next year.

China, runner-up in both the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the1999 World Cup, has slumped to become a second class squad since Ma took over as the national coach in 2002.