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Coach Chan Yuen-ting says China must ‘step up’ to match women’s football powerhouses from Europe

  • Jiangsu Wuxi coach – whose side sit second in the Chinese Women’s Super League – says club football ‘is not the priority’ in China
  • ‘A lot more work needs to be done,’ insists Hong Kong’s Chan, with only three female head coaches out of 10 teams in the top flight

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Captain Li Mengwen (No 13) of Jiang Wuxi in the match against Changchun. Photo: CFA

Despite a terrific start to life coaching in China’s top flight, Chan Yuen-ting has insisted the country must “step up” to match the women’s football powerhouses from Europe.

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Head coach Chan’s Jiangsu Wuxi side are sitting in second place midway through her maiden campaign in the Chinese Women’s Super League.

With all games being played in a Covid-19 “bubble” in Haikou – the capital city of Hainan province – Jiangsu are eight points behind seemingly unbeatable leaders Wuhan going into the midseason break, which started this week.

“Our preseason target was a top-five place which we once considered quite difficult to reach,” said Hong Kong’s Chan, who moved from Hainan Qiongzhong in the First Division to Jiangsu in the close season.

“Many of the players are very green, lacking proper experience, but they did an exceptional job on the pitch with some outstanding performances.

Chan Yuen-ting during her time as Eastern coach in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: Edward Wong
Chan Yuen-ting during her time as Eastern coach in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: Edward Wong

“Nevertheless, the mission is not yet over as we still have eight more matches to go when the League resumes in October.

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