Once mighty Chinese women play catch-up

China's women's football national coach Ante Milicic believes the reigning Asian champions must stop dwelling on past successes or risk falling further behind the game's leading nations, as investment in the sport increases globally.

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HONG KONG - China's women's football national coach Ante Milicic believes the reigning Asian champions must stop dwelling on past successes or risk falling further behind the game's leading nations, as investment in the sport increases globally.

The Australian was appointed in May 2024, after the Steel Roses' poor showing at the 2023 Women's World Cup and the failure to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games led to the departure of then coach Shui Qingxia.

She had steered the country to a record ninth Women's Asian Cup in 2022 but the team's inability to challenge on the global stage has represented a major shortcoming for the 1999 World Cup runners-up.

"I think you've got to get a real understanding of the evolution of the women's game," Milicic said.