Thomas Maher, head coach of China's women basketball team, considered it a "realistic hope" for them to make the final four at the 2008 Olympic Games.

China's players and team officials pose during an award ceremony for the women's basketball competition final at the 15th Asian Games in Doha December 14, 2006. They won the gold medal for the event.[Xinhua]

"I have yet had expectation for the Olympics, but I have a realistic hope of final four in 2008," he said after China trounced Chinese Taipei 90-59 to defend the Asian Games title.

"The Asian Games is a part of our journey to Beijing (Olympic Games)," he said. "We still have to improve in many ways. I have never seen a team younger than us. I think there will be tremendous improvement in 2008.

"If we can enter the final four, then we will jump for the medals."

China and Chinese Taipei met in the final of the East Asian Games in 2005, where China won by four points.

"They (the Chinese team) have beefed up their competition ability both in offense and defense," said Lin Hung Ling-yao, coach of the Chinese Taipei team.

"I was really surprised by a 12th-place finish they made in the world championships, you know, they are the top of Asia. But according to their performance today, I think they can enter the final four in Beijing Olympics," she added.