(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-27 11:44

Argentina forward Maria Potassa looks up to Boca Juniors heroes Juan Roman Riquelme, Carlos Tevez and Rodrigo Palacio.

"Yes they are all Boca legends, and I could end up continuing my career there this year," Potassa said.

Cynthia Uwak said Nigeria's women shared many psychological traits with the men's team.

"Both the men and the women are the same. When it comes to football, we're highly passionated and motivated," she said.

Women are also inevitably compared to famous male players.

Marta, the 2006 World Player of the Year, has been dubbed "Pele in a skirt," while China's Ma Xiaoxu is known as "the female Wayne Rooney."

However, Ma is not entirely flattered by the comparison.

"I know lots of people would like to compare me to Rooney. I do not like the comparison," she has said.

Male influence can also be seen in the coaching set-up, with only three countries - Germany, England and China - having women at the helm.

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