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Jonathan White

Another international tournament and another postmortem for Chinese football.
This time it is the Fifa Women’s World Cup after China crashed out 2-0 to Italy in the round of 16 in France.
The teams are only separated by one place on the Fifa rankings – Italy are 15th and China 16th – but there was a vast difference in quality on show in Montpellier on Tuesday.
Italy had already had a goal chalked off for offside by the time they went ahead in the 15th minute through Valentina Giacinti.

Although Wang Yan went close to equalising for China, it was largely one-way traffic and the “Steel Roses” were indebted to star goalkeeper Peng Shimeng for keeping the score 1-0 at the half.
However, Peng was caught unawares by Aurora Galli’s low long-range effort early in the second half to double the Italians’ lead.

The Italians celebrated reaching the quarter-finals in their first World Cup for two decades, while China wondered where it all went wrong.
The Steel Roses have long been considered a powerhouse, but this is their worst performance at a World Cup. They scored only one goal in four games.
Much was expected of Jia Xiuquan’s team and the coach was meant to deliver a semi-final berth, at least. They have never gone out of the World Cup before the quarter-final stage.

What’s worse is that this is a talented group with Wang Shuang, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, one of the stars hyped pre-tournament.
Wang did not register a shot on target during the tournament and there were reports of a rift between her and the coach.
That the side made it out of the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams was only down to Peng’s heroics in a player-of-the-match performance against Spain.

While Jia and many of the players were in tears at qualifying, the tears shed at the final whistle on Tuesday were of a different nature.
China had more possession, more shots on target and more corners than Italy, with Wang at the heart of their play. However, they never really threatened Laura Giuliani in the Italy goal.
Social media users were not happy. One called Jia a “failure” and many more called for a change in the dugout. Some called for a return to a foreign coach like previous bosses Siggi Eyjolfsson or Bruno Bini.

Jia praised his players and took responsibility for the defeat in his post-match press conference.
“We couldn't win the game and I apologise to all the Chinese fans. This is football, whoever makes mistakes first has to pay. My players have done a good job, I will be responsible for the loss.
“The World Cup is a big stage and it makes us realise our shortcomings. We can't dwell on the past or any past glories. Our girls have given their best. We are fully aware of our potential. We will reflect on everything once we return home.”

He also said it was “too early” to talk about his future in a role he has held for 13 months.
Many social media users commented that despite not reaching the quarter-finals, the women’s team remain better than the men’s equivalent, praising them as “far stronger” and describing them as “role models” for the men.
This is the women’s seventh World Cup finals appearance, while the men’s team only qualified once, in 2002.

Still, many decried the growing gap between China, reigning World Cup champions USA and the European teams.
It was a bad night for Asian football. Japan, runners-up four years ago in Vancouver, lost to the Netherlands, meaning there would be no AFC teams in the quarter-finals.
A 90th-minute penalty put the Netherlands through to their first quarter-final, ensuring seven European teams were among the last eight, along with favourites USA.

China, meanwhile, look ahead to the EAFF Football Championships later this year and Olympic qualifying early next year.


Women’s Asian Cup: China coach Ante Milicic overcomes burnout to lead team’s title defence

Year in football: expansion, mismatches point to direction Fifa will take ‘beautiful game’

Women’s Asian Cup: holders China to face North Korea, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan in 2026

Average yearly salary in women’s football US$10,900, Fifa says, some players paid half that

Fifa Women's World Cup

Fifa Women’s World Cup 2019: China coach Jia Xiuquan takes responsibility for Italy defeat as fans call for his sacking

Dejected China players walk off after their defeat to Italy. Photo: Xinhua

(190626) -- MONTPELLIER, June 26, 2019 (Xinhua) -- (From L to R) China's head coach Jia Xiuquan, players Wu Haiyan, Han Peng, Wang Shuang and Wang Shanshan cheer before the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. China lost 0-2. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)

(190626) -- MONTPELLIER, June 26, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Liu Shanshan (R) of China vies with Valentina Giacinti of Italy during the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. China lost 0-2. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

(190626) -- MONTPELLIER, June 26, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Players of Italy celebrate after the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. China lost 0-2. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)

(190626) -- MONTPELLIER, June 26, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Milena Bertolini (R), head coach of Italy, reacts during the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. China lost 0-2. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

(190625) -- MONTPELLIER (FRANCE), June 25, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Players of Italy celebrate scoring during the round of 16 match between Italy and China at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, on June 25, 2019. Italy won 2-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

(190626) -- MONTPELLIER, June 26, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Li Ying (L) of China vies with Sara Gama of Italy during the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. China lost 0-2. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

(190626) -- MONTPELLIER, June 26, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Wang Shuang (R) of China competes during the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. China lost 0-2. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

(190626) -- MONTPELLIER, June 26, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Peng Shimeng, goalie of China, reacts after failing to block a shot during the round of 16 match between China and Italy at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Montpellier, France, June 25, 2019. China lost 0-2. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

Fifa Women’s World Cup 2019: Call for male refs is as tone deaf as complaints about VAR

Cameroon players argue with referee Qin Liang. Photo: EPA

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Round of 16 - Norway v Australia - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - June 22, 2019. Referee Riem Hussein points to the penalty spot as Norway's Ingrid Moe Wold, Maren Mjelde, Vilde Boe Risa and Maria Thorisdottir protest REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Canadian referee Marie-Soleil Beaudoin shows a yellow card to Brazil's forward Beatriz during the France 2019 Women's World Cup round of sixteen football match between France and Brazil, on June 23, 2019, at the Oceane stadium in Le Havre, north western France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)

(190625) -- PARIS, June 25, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Kosovare Asllani (L) of Sweden argues with Australian referee Kate Jacewicz during the round of 16 match between Sweden and Canada at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Parc des Princes in Paris, France, June 24, 2019. Sweden won 1-0. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

FILE PHOTO - Britain Football Soccer - Derby County v Leicester City - FA Cup Fourth Round - Pride Park - 27/1/17 Referee Mark Clattenburg Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers Livepic/File Photo EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

Australian referee Kate Jacewicz blows a whistle during the France 2019 Women's World Cup round of sixteen football match between Sweden and Canada, on June 24, 2019, at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. (Photo by THOMAS SAMSON / AFP)

A giant screens displays a message after the referee called the video assistance (VAR) for a penalty during the France 2019 Women's World Cup round of sixteen football match between Spain and USA, on June 24, 2019, at the Auguste-Delaune stadium in Reims, northern France. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

(190625) -- REIMS (FRANCE), June 25, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian referee Katalin Kulcsar gestures for a VAR review of a possible foul during the round of 16 match between the United States and Spain at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Reims, France, on June 24, 2019. The United States won 2-1. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Fifa Women’s World Cup: Chinese referee accused of racism and ‘wanting England to win’ by Cameroon

Cameroon's Ninon Abena and teammates remonstrate with referee Qin Liang after the match. Photo: Reuters

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Round of 16 - England v Cameroon - Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes, France - June 23, 2019 England's Toni Duggan appeals to referee Qin Liang after being spat on by Cameroon's Augustine Ejangue REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo

Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Round of 16 - England v Cameroon - Stade du Hainaut, Valenciennes, France - June 23, 2019 England manager Phil Neville and Cameroon coach Alain Djeumfa react as England's Steph Houghton receives treamtent after sustaining an injury from a foul REUTERS/Phil Noble

(190624) -- VALENCIENNES, June 24, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Alain Djeumfa (3rd L) , head coach of Cameroon, reacts during a round of 16 match between England and Cameroon at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Valenciennes, France, June 23, 2019. England won 3-0. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

(190624) -- VALENCIENNES, June 24, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Ajara Nchout (3rd R) of Cameroon reacts after her scoring being cancelled during a round of 16 match between England and Cameroon at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in Valenciennes, France, June 23, 2019. England won 3-0. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

(190624) -- VALENCIENNES, June 24, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Referee Qin Liang (3rd L) talks with Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene of Cameroon after a VAR review on England's scoring during the round of 16 match between England and Cameroon at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup at Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, France, June 23, 2019. England won 3-0. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

(190624) -- VALENCIENNES, June 24, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Players of Cameroon argues with the referee during the round of 16 match between England and Cameroon at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup at Stade Hainaut in Valenciennes, France, June 23, 2019. England won 3-0 . (Xinhua/Cheng Tingting)

A still of referee Qin Liang being pushed. Photo: Sina Sports/CCTV 5

Fifa Women’s World Cup 2019: Chinese in tears after goalkeeper heroics secure draw with Spain to avoid USWNT in round of 16

China's head coach Jia Xiuquan cries after the draw with Spain at the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup in Le Havre, France. Photo: Xinhua

Fifa Women’s World Cup 2019: China open account after beating South Africa to reignite hopes of advancing

Li Ying of China celebrates after scoring her team’s winning goal against South Africa. Photo: Fifa

Team China after their victory South Africa

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China

Football

Steel Roses fail to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven appearances
No Asian teams in the last eight as Japan lose to the Netherlands


Steel Roses fail to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven appearances


Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Chinese Football Association (CFA)

Fifa Women’s World Cup 2019: China coach Jia Xiuquan takes responsibility for Italy defeat as fans call for his sacking

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Steel Roses fail to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven appearances No Asian teams in the last eight as Japan lose to the Netherlands

Steel Roses fail to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in seven appearances

No Asian teams in the last eight as Japan lose to the Netherlands