China boss Ante Milicic wants country to focus on future or risk falling further behind

China women’s head coach Ante Milicic believes the reigning Asian champions must stop dwelling on past success or risk falling further behind the game’s leading nations as investment in the sport increases globally.

The Australian was appointed to the role in May last year 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 former coach Shui Qingxia.

Shui 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 Women’s World Cup runners-up and nine-times Asian champions.

“I think you’ve got to get a real understanding of the evolution of the women’s game,” Milicic said. “The dynamics have changed now. You’ve only got to look at the recent Euros in Switzerland. The speed of the game has improved and the professionalism and the quality. We’ve even had the transfer of the first £1 million player in England.

“Yes, we’re defending Asian champions but those tournaments, four years prior, that’s a long time ago and things change.”

The Chinese will look to retain the Women’s Asian Cup when the next edition is played in Australia in March, with Milicic’s side set to go into that tournament as outsiders.