Marta is recognized as the world's best women's soccer player, as shown by her two FIFA World Player of the Year trophies.

But one of the true tests for a great player is winning a major title for her country and she is now determined to end that drought at the Beijing Games.

Marta Vieira da Silva and her teammates have gone close to standing on the winner's podium, first at the 2004 Athens Olympics, then at the 2007 Women's World Cup, only to settle for a silver, with losses, respectively, to the US and Germany.

"Reaching the Olympics is great for us but it is by no means our final goal," Marta said after Brazil secured the last remaining Olympic berth with a 5-1 demolition of Ghana at the Beijing Workers' Stadium, on Saturday.

Marta opened the scoring with a free kick and dribbled past Ghana's defenders with ease throughout the game.

"Including me, all of us played a very good match. But it's just the beginning of our Olympic campaign. Our rivals will be different and even stronger. We have to play at a high level all the time and hopefully we will not repeat defeats like in Athens and at the World Cup."

Brazil has been drawn in the so-called "group of death", which includes Asian powerhouse North Korea, arch-rival and world cup winner Germany, plus emerging women's team Nigeria.

Marta, who was the top scorer at last year's World Cup, said she will be focused on winning matches and helping the team advance into the second round, rather than worrying about how many goals she will score.

"It's a tough group. All are very strong teams and we have to concentrate or we will get punished," she said.

"It's not just myself. We have to play as a team and I will create more chances for my teammates. Winning matches is the most important thing for me."

Female Ronaldinho

Even so, she has the ability to lift her team, with her trademark swivels, graceful power and audacious fakes.

"Marta knows how to play like a man. This is probably what makes her different," Brazil teammate Simone said. "I don't think you should really compare her to a man because she's a woman. But she's special.

"She is not so good that she can play alone, but we can't play without her," Simone added.

Marta has been described as the female Ronaldinho, her fellow Brazilian and Barcelona's playmaker. She has also become the most popular women's soccer player among Chinese fans.

"There's a lot of talk about this from time to time. I'm honored by the comparison with Ronaldinho. He's a world football icon. But when I'm out there playing, I'm not thinking about role models," Marta said of the comparison.

"It's great to play in China. I know Brazil has a large base of fans here. When we played with Ghana, many Chinese fans came to the stadium and cheered for us.

"I just hope we do not have to play against China in the Olympics," Marta said with a smile.

As long as Brazil does not meet host China, Marta will feel strong support from the host nation's fans.

They know that she has done a great deal to popularize the women's game worldwide.

Her professional career began at 18 when she packed her bags for Umea, Sweden. To do so she had to defy her family, a language barrier and the harsh winter, but ended up scoring 63 goals in three seasons and leading her team to a UEFA championship.

Since then the 22 year old has garnered many accolades, becoming the 2004 U-20 World Cup Golden Ball winner and the 2006 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.

(China Daily April 22, 2008)