ALTHOUGH Chinese 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, 10 years later, the national team may benefit from the reforms,” Yu said.

    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 has beaten the defending champions, the U.S., in the other quarterfinal today. We only lost 1-0 to a very good German team.” Bini said after the first round of the knockout stage.(Xinhua)