BEIJING, Feb 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China coach Ante Milicic admits that the country has fallen far behind the top sides in women's football as the Asian nation attempts to pull off a surprise with back-to-back continental crowns.

The Women's Asian Cup kicks off on March 1 with Japan, North Korea and hosts Australia chief among the title contenders.

China are reigning champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition, but the days when they were among the world elite are long gone.

Results since lifting the trophy in India four years ago have been particularly disappointing.

They bowed out in the group stage of the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, failed to reach the Paris Olympics and were hammered 8-0 by England in November.

The Australian Milicic, who has been in charge since May 2024, said that recapturing China's glory days was "a big responsibility".

China are 17th in the FIFA rankings, having once been as high as four.

"To be a national team coach of such a large country with a big population that's passionate is a massive challenge," he told the Asian Football Confederation website.

Underlining the scale of the task facing China at the Asian Cup and beyond, the 51-year-old said: "The women's game is moving very quickly.

"There's more investment, more popularity, the levels have gone up higher. For countries like China, they have to keep up because the gap is there."

Women's football in Europe is particularly booming, which was laid bare by China's heavy beating to England at Wembley.

"China and few other countries in Asia need to concentrate and focus on building players for national teams to play at a higher level," said the former Australia boss.

"The development in Europe has gone to a different level now and that's clear for everyone to see when you follow football in that region."

China open their title defence against debutants Bangladesh on March 3.

Also in Group B are North Korea and Uzbekistan.