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"Steel Roses" to return to elite group in 10 years

Xinhua, August 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Although China women footballers were defeated by Germany 0-1 in their quarterfinal at Fonte Nova Arena on Friday, they had gained many experiences and confidences from the Rio Olympics.

"We' re very satisfied with what the young team did in the tournament, and we will do something to make the team better in 2019 FIFA Women' s World Cup and 2020 Tokyo Olympics," said team manager Yu Hongchen.

According to the overall reform plan to boost the development of the sport in China, "Steel Roses" mid-term goal is back to the first group in the world. Both Yu and China' s head coach Bruno Bini said that the "mid-term" may stand for 10 years for their girls.

"We locate the team at the bottom of the second-class in the world now, ten years later, the national team may benefit from the reforms," Yu told Xinhua.

Bini, who ever led France to reach the semifinals in London Olympics, described China' s game when they face the top teams like "juniors play against seniors" .

"We have done very well in the tournament as we were in a difficult group. We drew with Sweden who have beaten the defending champions, the USA, in the other quarterfinal today. We only lost 1-0 to a very good German team." Bini said in the media conference after the first round of the knockout stage.

"We are going to looking for more young players to prepare for the 2019 World Cup," the 61-year-old added.

Yu said the team still lack of creativeness and personal talents in the field. The manager and his team will try to help "Roses" overcome the obstacles in the next four years, look forward to qualifying for the semifinalist in Tokyo Olympics.

"Now you have a good coach, Bruno Bini, and you have progressed a lot recently," said Melanie Behringer, whose superb 25-metre strike gave Germany a 1-0 victory over China on Friday. Endit