(China Sports) Chinese women footballers bring hope to fans, receive hero like welcome

Hundreds of Chinese fans gathered at the Beijing airport on Monday evening to welcome their heros who got a top-eight finish at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Most of the fans came to the airport as early as 3:30pm in spite of the rainy day. They carried red roses and slogans such as "Steel Roses, We love you forever!".

China was edged 1-0 by the title-favorite United States in their first Women's World Cup meeting since 1999, but the girls' performance in Canada has received wild praise from the country.

After waiting three hours, fans cheered names of Chinese players as they appeared one by one from the exit, together with coach Hao Wei and staff members. Everyone of the team received flowers and enjoy the enthusiasm from the crowd.

"I was touched by the fans, just like I said during the World Cup, the fans have been always the 12th man for us. We really need their support," said Hao.

China captain Wu Haiyan was being chased by supporters for photos and autographs.

"We have spared no effort, although we didn't make it to the semis," said Wu. "We have created many wonderful records and have learned many useful experience. We are young and still have a long way to go."

"I want to see more and more young girls play football after watching our matches," said Wu. "That is the most important thing for the Chinese women football to regain the glory."

Beijing's rainy day came to the end when the "Steel Roses" arrived.

"I'd like to see the fans focusing on us and holding expectations for us in the next decades," said China goalkeeper Wang Fei.

Wang Wen, the chairman of the football fans club in Beijing, told Xinhua that the public should give more attention to the development of Chinese women soccer.

"No matter the results are good or bad, the environment of women's football in China has to be improved, and our players deserve more respect and support," Wang Wen noted.

The 65-year-old Beijing fan Yang Zhen said, "My money is controlled by my wife. But when I ask her for the airport bus fee, she is flank to agree my request of meeting our heroes at early hours."

"I had seen the team flying off for the World Cup, and I had made a promise that I would give the pretty players a warm welcome. The team had given us happiness and enjoyments in the past two weeks. I'd like to say thanks to them at the very moment," Yang added.

Zhao Bozhou, another Beijing fan, said that he had been a women's football spectator since 1987, the year the Beijing team snatched the first title in the 6th Chinese national games.

"Before this year's World Cup, I have heard that some women footballers of clubs even needed to take part in some competitions away at their own expenses," Zhang said. "No matter win or loss, I will support our women's soccer team forever."

The young Chinese team, with an average age of 23.5, will receive the "highest ever" bonus -- One million yuan (160,000 U.S. dollars). Endi