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Agence France-Presse

China coach Ante Milicic has admitted that the country has fallen far behind the top sides in women’s football as the Asian nation attempts to pull off a surprise with back-to-back continental crowns.
The Women’s Asian Cup kicks off on March 1 with Japan, North Korea and hosts Australia chief among the title contenders.
China are reigning champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition, but the days when they were among the world elite are long gone.
Results since lifting the trophy in India four years ago have been particularly disappointing.
They bowed out in the group stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, failed to reach the Paris Olympics and were hammered 8-0 by England in November.

The Australian Milicic, who has been in charge since May 2024, said that recapturing China’s glory days was “a big responsibility”.
China are 17th in the Fifa rankings, having once been as high as four.
“To be a national team coach of such a large country with a big population that’s passionate is a massive challenge,” he told the Asian Football Confederation website.
Underlining the scale of the task facing China at the Asian Cup and beyond, the 51-year-old said: “The women’s game is moving very quickly.
“There’s more investment, more popularity, the levels have gone up higher. For countries like China, they have to keep up because the gap is there.”
Women’s football in Europe in particular was booming, a fact laid bare by China’s heavy beating by England at Wembley.

“China and a few other countries in Asia need to concentrate and focus on building players for national teams to play at a higher level,” said the former Australia boss.
“The development in Europe has gone to a different level now and that’s clear for everyone to see when you follow football in that region.”
China open their title defence against debutants Bangladesh on March 3.
Also in Group B are North Korea and Uzbekistan.


Hosts Australia vow to play entertaining football in their bid for Women’s Asian Cup glory

China coach warns of growing ‘gap’ with elite ahead of Women’s Asian Cup title defence

Former Australian midfielder plots Japan’s path to third Women’s Asian Cup trophy

South Korea avert boycott of Asian Cup as FIFPro urges better conditions for women players

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

China leave the pitch after losing 6-1 to England in a group match at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Photo: Xinhua

China are Asian Cup champions but are no longer considered among the world’s elite. Photo: Reuters

Ante Milicic speaking to his players during China’s 8-0 loss to England in November. Photo: Getty Images

South Korea’s Ji So-yun (second from left) celebrates with her teammates after scoring against China in the E-1 Football Championship in Suwon last July. Photo: AP

A report says the coming Asian Cup could be the ‍most commercially successful edition. Photo: Reuters

South Korea’s squad for the Asian Cup includes US-based Casey Phair (right). Photo: EPA-EFE

Chinese star Xu ‘grateful’ to be at Winter Games, Sui, Han hope to ‘shine for everyone’

China’s Xu Mengtao warming up before the aerials qualification during the FIS Freestyle World Cup at the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex last month. Photo: Getty Images

Xu Mengtao won the aerial final at the FIS Freestyle World Cup at Lake Placid last month. Photo: AFP

Xu Mengtao married fellow Chinese freestyle skier Wang Xindi (left). Photo: Weibo/Wang Xindi

Han Cong (left) and Sui Wenjing finished sixth in the team event pair skating short programme in Milan but will compete again on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

Australian Ante Milicic says recapturing China’s glory days, when they were among the top four teams in the world, is ‘a big responsibility’


Australian Ante Milicic says recapturing China’s glory days, when they were among the top four teams in the world, is ‘a big responsibility’.


Ante Milicic

China coach warns of growing ‘gap’ with elite ahead of Women’s Asian Cup title defence

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Australian Ante Milicic says recapturing China’s glory days, when they were among the top four teams in the world, is ‘a big responsibility’

Australian Ante Milicic says recapturing China’s glory days, when they were among the top four teams in the world, is ‘a big responsibility’