Steel Roses back to their roots and back in bloom

Fans enthralled as stunning comeback revives team's famous fighting spirit

The Chinese women's soccer team rekindled their famous fighting spirit to end a 16-year wait to lift the Asian Cup－capturing the imagination of ecstatic fans back home in the process.

Having trailed 2-0 in the final in Navi Mumbai, India, on Sunday night, the Steel Roses summoned all their determination and resolve to battle back and tie the game before Xiao Yuyi fired home a dramatic 93rd-minute winner from a Wang Shanshan assist to secure the title.

The victory earned China a record ninth Asian Cup title, as the Steel Roses atoned for their disappointing Tokyo 2020 campaign.