ZHENGZHOU, China, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A family member of one of the Chinese national women's football team players has opened up about their bitter loss at the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup.

"It's a pity for the Chinese team to lose to Italy on Tuesday in the round of 16 at the FIFA Women's World Cup in France, but these girls have done their utmost," said Lou Haoqi, father of Chinese midfielder Lou Jiahui.

"Chinese players played under great pressure after they lost one goal in the 15th minute. They rushed to equalize, but unfortunately, they lost some opportunities," Lou Haoqi added.

28-year-old Lou Jiahui, was born in a city named Jiaozuo in central China's Henan province, didn't play in the game against Italy, but she played in the games with Germany and South Africa in the group phase to help China into the round of 16.

"Lou was trampled by a German player and took a painful fall, which scared me very much. I called her after the game, but she told me that it's not serious, she can play in the next game with South Africa. A little pain cannot stop her," Lou Haoqi said.

Lou Jiahui started her sporting life at the age of ten at athletics events in Jiaozuo sports school, where she played football as a warm-up exercise.

"One day in 2003, the teachers from the Henan provincial sports school selected footballers from our school. They happened to see Lou Jiahui playing football on the playground. Lou impressed the teachers, and was chosen to play football," said Xu Dan, a teacher at Jiaozuo sports school and the first coach of Lou Jiahui.

"Lou was stronger and ran faster than her peers at that time," Xu added.

Lou Jiahui joined the Chinese women's national football team in 2008, and played at the Women's World Cups in Canada and France, and also represented China at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Lou is also the coach and a player with Henan Huishang Female Football Club, which plays in China Women's Super League.

"Lou can play as winger, midfielder and forward, but now her primary mission is to help young players to develop," said Li Lin, general manager of the club. Enditem

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