HONG KONG—More than two decades removed from the upper reaches of women’s football, China continue to look for a way back into the sport’s top tier after a disastrous showing at the Olympic Games. After finishing bottom of their group with a solitary point and conceding 17 goals in games against Brazil, the Netherlands and tournament debutants Zambia, hopes of gold medals and World Cup titles look as far away as ever. Results have fallen far short of China’s previous best on the global stage, when they notched up runners-up finishes behind the United States at the 1996 Olympic Games and the Women’s World Cup three years later. But while the Americans have consistently maintained their place among the game’s best, China have dropped off the pace and performances at the Tokyo Olympics have done little to suggest there will be a return any time soon. “I believe our players, …