Swedish striker Hanna Ljungberg will miss the Olympic women's soccer competition for injury, the team's coach Thomas Dennerby told a press conference on Monday.

Dennerby said he was confident to beat host China in the opening match on August 6 despite the loss of the ace striker.

"China enjoys home advantage," he said. "But we have experienced players, and we have chance to win."

Ljungberg injured her leg muscle in the training two weeks ago, and will be replaced by the 24-year-old Almgren Johanna, who is expected to join the team on Tuesday.

As a world class forward, Ljungberg was instrumental in the Swedish side that were runners-up in the FIFA World Cup 2003, scoring three goals and assisting another. She was also voted 3rd best World Player of the Year by FIFA in 2003.

Sweden is in Group E with China, Argentina and Canada at the Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)