From relative obscurity as 14th in the world rankings in 2022 to almost becoming Olympic champions again, China’s women’s hockey team confidently announced their ascension to the sport’s elite when they equaled their Olympic best to take second place in Paris on Friday.

The Chinese women’s team entered the knockout phase as the lowest-ranked qualifier in their group, but proved they deserve as much respect as any other world-class contender when they came close to knocking defending champions the Netherlands off their golden throne in Friday night’s final at the Yves du Manoir stadium in the western suburbs of Paris.

Almost, to be precise, victory was only eight minutes away.

After entering the final with an early goal in the sixth minute, Team China, the sixth-ranked team in the world at the start of the tournament, were forced to sit back and defend as the Netherlands increased the pressure over the next three quarters, forcing China to fend off the advancing attacks with a brave collective effort.

The first-placed Dutch team finally equalized in the 52nd minute: Yibbi Jansen converted a corner kick and equalized shortly before the end of the 60-minute regular time.

After surviving a penalty shootout in their semi-final knockout match against Belgium on Wednesday, the Chinese national team’s luck ran out after they managed to convert just one of their five attempts and conceded three goals, losing 3-1 in the tiebreaker.

Amid the applause of their opponents and the cheers of many orange-clad fans in the stands, the Chinese team jumped onto the podium during the medal ceremony just as proudly as the winners on the top step.

It was about honor and pride, not disappointment and frustration, said Alyson Annan, head coach of Team China.

“We have no regrets. We knew it would be difficult to play against the world No. 1 today. We forced them to penalties. We can only be proud (of ourselves),” said Annan, an Australian sports legend who took over the Chinese team in 2022.

“I’m not surprised. About six months ago we thought if we did everything right we could get here,” said Annan, who had led Team China from 14th in the International Hockey Federation rankings before the pairs event to sixth in the world rankings when she was appointed.

“We were confident that we were doing everything right in our training and making the progress we should be making, so we knew we were on the right track,” she added.

It was the Chinese women’s second Olympic silver medal and the first one won at the Games abroad, having won the first on home soil at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Returning to the Olympic podium and the wider public after 16 years, Chinese players hope that their hard-fought success will bring more attention to what is otherwise a more spotlighted sport in China.

“We were so close. It was just a near miss that we regretted a little bit. But we are so proud to give the sport another chance to be seen and followed,” said Chinese team captain Ou Zixia.

“We have caught up with the world’s best. I hope this medal will inspire more young people to get interested in ice hockey and try it for themselves. I also hope that the younger generation will continue what we have achieved and raise their level even further,” said the experienced defender, who has represented China in 174 international matches at three Olympic Games.