Shui Qingxia loses her job after failing to qualify for Paris 2024
Shui Qingxia, the head coach of China’s women’s national football team, has been dismissed from her position after failing to secure a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Shui, who was named the AFC women’s coach of the year on the same night, could not lead her team to victory against South Korea in the final match of the second round of the Asian qualifiers. The 1-1 draw eliminated both teams from the tournament, as they failed to claim the best group runner-up spot.
This will be the second time since the sport’s Olympic debut in 1996 that China will not take part in the women’s football event. China, once a powerhouse of women’s football, reached the final of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 1999 World Cup, but has since declined in performance and ranking. Shui, a former international midfielder and Olympic silver medallist, took over as head coach in September 2021, replacing Jia Xiuquan, who led the team to the Tokyo Olympics.
Fans and media criticise Shui’s tactics and selections
Shui’s short tenure as head coach was marred by criticism from fans and media, who questioned her tactical approach and player selections. Shui was accused of being too conservative and stubborn, and of failing to link up the players and utilise their strengths. She was also blamed for moving captain Wang Shanshan, the team’s top scorer, from forward to defence until the last 20 minutes of the crucial match against South Korea.
Many fans expressed their disappointment and anger on social media, calling for Shui’s resignation and a reform of the women’s football system in China. Some also compared Shui’s situation to that of Marcello Lippi, the former head coach of China’s men’s national team, who quit his job after losing to Syria in a World Cup qualifier in 2019.
Shui apologises and admits the gap between China and the top teams
Shui, who watched her Olympic dreams crumble in front of 22,000 fans at the Xiamen Egret Stadium, apologised to the supporters and the players after the match. She said that everyone had been fighting hard since the start of the year, but the changes and adjustments were not good and fast enough. She also admitted that there was a visible gap between China and the world’s top teams, and that the focus should be on training the next generation of players.
“I am sad, and felt heartbroken for the girls,” the 56-year-old said. “We realised the difference as well as our shortcomings and we trained hard every day trying to change and make adjustments, but it looked like the changes were not good and fast enough.”
Shui also thanked the Chinese Football Association for giving her the opportunity to coach the national team, and said that she would accept any decision made by the authorities. She said that she hoped that the women’s football in China would continue to develop and improve, and that she would always support the team.
China faces a long road to recovery and glory
China’s women’s football team faces a long road to recovery and glory, as they have no major tournaments to play in the next few years. The next Women’s Asian Cup will be held in India in January 2022, followed by the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. China will have to wait until 2026 for another chance to qualify for the Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.
China will also have to deal with the competition from other Asian teams, such as Japan, Australia, North Korea and South Korea, who have improved their standards and results in recent years. China will have to find a new head coach who can rebuild the team and restore their confidence and pride. China will also have to invest more in the development and promotion of women’s football, and nurture more young talents who can carry on the legacy of the previous generations.
