Have two humiliating defeats in Tianjin for China's men's soccer squad in their World Cup qualifying efforts dampened enthusiasm to watch matches in the co-host city for the Beijing Olympics?

Definitely not, say the city's sports officials. Tianjin, only an hour's drive from Beijing, is fully geared up to host Olympic matches.

"We do not think sports enthusiasts blame Tianjin for the matches. They were actually organized well and proved Tianjin's ability to host major sports games. As to the final score - it is beyond our control," Xie Delong, deputy head of Tianjin Sports Bureau, told China Daily.

Tianjin will not host the Chinese men's squad in an Olympics' soccer match, but will hold a Chinese women's event and world-class teams including Italy and the Netherlands.

Shen Yin, a die-hard soccer enthusiast, expressed his enthusiasm for soccer matches in Tianjin. Of course, it is not the Chinese men's squad that amazes him.

"I want to watch the Italian team play in Tianjin. It will be a rare chance to watch top teams to perform live in a Chinese city," Shen said.

The Chinese women's soccer squad is also worth watching, though they are not at their peak as in 1996, said Shen.

He is truly a hard-core fan as he has reserved more than 10 Olympics soccer tickets, including some for the quarter- and semi-finals.

Another attraction for soccer fans is Tianjin's new stadium known as the "water drop". It can accommodate 80,000 spectators.

"The Tianjin Olympic Center is famous and beautiful. It is pleasant for me to be in it and enjoy the games," Shen smiled.

"The equipment and hardware of the stadium are almost fully ready. We are confident to offer an enjoyable environment for the audience," Xie said.

With only days left in the countdown to kickoff, the bulk of city's preparation work has wrapped up, according to Xie.

"We have finished most of the preparations for venue equipment and organizing work. Now we are putting finishing touches on gymnasium equipment, game organizing work, media services, audience services, reception and safety," Xie said.

"We are working on 34 audience catering spots in the stadium to supply simple food and drinks. The spots will cover 33,000 sq m. Also there will be 5,200 signs to help spectators locate their seats," Xie said.

The press center for Tianjin Olympics matches can accommodate 250 people and has a press conference room large enough for 150 journalists.

Non-registered reporters will use a center with Internet access and high definition televisions showing the Olympics.

"Our work really goes into the details and we intend to leave an unforgettable memory for spectators," Xie added.

Tianjin gained wide experience and refined its organizing ability by hosting its two World Cup qualifying matches.

"We benefited in experience with reception, safety and security and how to keep the venue clean. We are now confident we will get the Olympic job done well," Xie said.

Yet he acknowledged that time and budgets are tight and the pressure is heavy.

"We are trying to meet high Olympics standards set for developed countries. Of course, it will be a shot in the arm for the city in the long term - for the city's image, tourism and sports organizing capability," Xie said.

Two-thirds of the rooms in designated hotels are now reserved for August 5 and 6 matches, which start before the formal Olympic opening ceremonies.

Tickets for Tianjin Olympics soccer matches are selling smoothly, with one-fourth left for local fans.

More than 100,000 tickets are on sale in Tianjin in collaboration with the ticket agents assigned by the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, Xie said.

The Tianjin authority needs several days to prepare for local ticket sales, said Yang Baoling, an official with the Tianjin Olympics organizing office.

"The audience needs some time to make a choice," Yang explained.

There will be 12 soccer matches in Tianjin stretching over seven days. The most expensive ticket will be 300 yuan and the cheapest 80.

"The tickets to be available in Tianjin are not expensive at all. We believe they will be sold out," Yang said.

(China Daily August 1, 2008)