For a long time after the full-time whistle, they stood motionless on the pitch. They looked lost. Disconsolate. For those Chinese girls, the AFC U16 Women's Championship is over. And they could hardly accept it.

Tears wouldn't stop dripping down their cheeks. Some were rubbing their eyes as this nightmare is running through their minds on a loop.

Japan has long been a tough footballing rival for China. Yet they believed they just might stand a chance at causing an upset if everything falls into place.

Reality bites hard. Despite an admirable attempt to bounce back from a 0-4 hammering at the hands of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea last week, China produced another uninspiring display as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Japan on Wednesday.

For all their bluster, China didn't create enough danger and failed to put Japan under so much pressure. There was a sense of inevitability from the moment Hanon Nishio broke the deadlock in the 71st minute. As well-timed as it was well-struck, the goal came just as China were beginning to feel they would beat the odds to spring a surprise.

Japan played with much more precision after the breakthrough and within 10 minutes, China were undone again as Maika Hamano doubled their advantage and put the game to bed. Chan Yuen-ting's team tried doggedly to clawed back but Japan, by now ruthless and resilient, no longer gave them hope.

The result means both Japan and DPRK have sealed the qualification to the 2020 U17 Women's World Cup by finishing in the top two of the U16 Championship, while China, still reeling from the limited depth of the talent pool, have missed out on the chance to qualify three times in a row.

The catastrophe at the championship won't provoke national shame as it would in the past when "Steel Roses" were at the top of their game and counted among the world's best, but it's a devastating blow to China's lofty ambition of climbing the ladder of footballing power.

For perspective, three months ago China's senior team suffered heartbreak as they went home with the worst World Cup showing since 1991. A humiliating 2-0 loss to an inexperienced yet undaunted Italy in the last 16 represented a new low for the former elite. 

An inquest is long overdue, and China must address a series of structural failures and uncomfortable truths in the months to come. More cash is needed to flow into Chinese women's football and youth development. A shortage of highly qualified coaches also has to be dealt with as soon as possible. 

A lackluster China, who were outfought, outclassed and outmaneuvered, got what they deserved. But the real tragedy will be a failure to coming to terms with the reality check and carry out a thorough reform.