Chinese women s football coach Milicic: We are the champion if we don t get "drawn" in the first game

On the afternoon of July 16, the Chinese women's football team drew 0-0 with the Japanese team in the last game of the 2025 East Asian Cup. Because the goal difference is less than the Japanese team with the same points, the Chinese team missed the championship of this game.

Chinese women's football coach Milicic said at the post-match press conference that both teams are striving to win in this game, and the final result is fair, and either side has a chance to win. "I am very proud of my team's way of playing and fighting. Of course, keeping the goal is very impressive for us. There are several young players on the court, which is a good experience for them."

Chinese women's football coach Milicic (center) commanded on the sidelines. Live screenshot

A reporter asked Milicic at a post-match press conference whether he would be upset by the South Korean team in the first stoppage time. The Australian coach said: "The goal conceded us missed the championship of this game, but this is a lesson we must learn. I coached the Chinese women's football team in the first game, and we were also beaten to the 'gliding' by the Australian team on the road. We cannot lose focus at the last moment of the game, otherwise we will pay the price." He said that the team must learn from the lessons and continue to improve.

In this East Asian Cup, 25 people signed up for the Chinese women's football team, of which 23 were given the opportunity to play. Milicic stressed that the team's old and new alternation is gradually advancing, but the outside world needs to be patient with young players.

The Asian Cup in March next year will be a "big test" between the Chinese women's football team and Milicic. Milicic also admitted that preparations for the Asian Cup are the most important things at this stage. He said: "If we only look at the East Asian Cup, it is obvious that we have some players who have recovered from injuries, such as Yao Wei, Zhang Linyan, Wang Shuang, etc. They have missed many games and need time to find their best condition. There are also three girls who play in Europe, Li Mengwen, Shen Mengyu and Wang Yanwen. It is their offseason and it is also difficult to maintain a good physical and mental state. So I think that if the National Games end smoothly, then we can spend some time working together. Then, I think we can lead a strong team to the Asian Cup."