On April 3, during the off-season, Guangxi Pingguo Ha Rang announced that Yi Xianlong joined the team on loan, which is the fourth consecutive year that Yi Xianlong has participated in the Chinese First Division League. In an interview with Soccer News, Yi Xianlong said that getting a chance to play is more important than staying in the Chinese Super League.
--What has impressed you most about this club since you came to Guangxi Pingguo Ha Rang Guojing team?
The club is well regulated in all aspects. When I came here, I wanted to realize the goal of this season with the team. The local fans in Pingguo City and even in Guangxi are very enthusiastic. When I used to represent other teams to play away games in Pingguo, Guangxi, the atmosphere of the fans was great. This year, I think the soccer atmosphere in Pingguo has become better. More than 20,000 fans come to every game to watch us play, and even fans come to watch the team's daily training.
--How did you get on the path to playing soccer as a kid?
I was born in Xunwu County, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, and grew up with my parents in Meizhou, Guangdong Province, where I attended Meixian Xincheng Central Primary School in elementary school. When I was in fifth grade, I went to Meizhou People's Elementary School once to play ball and was spotted by a scout. He then approached my parents and asked if I wanted to try practicing. I was still young, only 11 years old. My parents thought about it for me, but I thought it would be fun to play soccer outside, so I didn't hesitate to take professional soccer training.
-You guys have been playing in the Central League for a few years now, which do you think is more important, getting a chance to play or staying in the Premier League?
I think getting a chance to play is more important. It's really a matter of personal choice. Maybe everyone has different ideas and thoughts. Like my teammates at the Luneng Soccer School, some of them feel that they are capable of competing for playing opportunities in the first team, so they will choose to stay and continue to wait. I wanted to follow a relatively stable path, which was to get as many playing opportunities as possible. Out of my own judgment, I don't think there will be too many chances to stay in Shandong Taishan. It's better to go out and broaden my horizons, play more matches and improve myself. This year, Guangxi Pingguo Hanyin Guojing is very competitive in the Chinese First Division. If I can play out, I can play out.
--From your perspective, what are the core competencies of a pro?
Yi Xianlong:The first thing is to have the data on the field, and the second is what the player's individual characteristics can bring to the team, which is something that the player transfer market and clubs attach great importance to. To put it bluntly, it's a player's ability and potential. When he reaches the professional game he will use anyone who is capable. If he can't do that, he will be replaced. The club won't say he'll give you the opportunity to develop you specifically. These are some of the reasons I only learned in the pros. It's too harsh and realistic. So, to play well, you have to work hard and keep improving yourself.
-So what do you think characterizes your skills?
When the ball gets to my feet, if I need to make some breaks and change direction in a one-on-one situation, I'm perfectly capable of doing that. I think that's my best feature. A few years ago, in the AFC Champions League, Shandong Taishan sent a youth team to the tournament. As the older player in the team, I felt that when I played against teams from Japan, South Korea and Singapore, my body and speed were almost no different from my opponents and I could basically fight against them. But when I go back to playing domestically, I feel like I'm at a physical disadvantage. If I use absolute strength to compete with my opponents, I may not be able to match them, so I have to use my brain and play to my strengths.
-- Having played professionally for a few years, what has been the experience in growing up?
I think I have a lot of room for improvement compared to some of the old soccer seniors. Their skills are more solid than mine, and even when they retired, they were still more solid. I have to admire that. Of course, it's not modesty. I think players just want to put themselves in a good position and move towards their goals. I'm still playing in China's first division, and I'm not saying I'm as good as I'd like to be. I still have to put myself in the right position and some things can't be rushed.
--Have you set any goals for yourself by joining the Guangxi Pingguo Ha Rang Guojing team this year?
I went to Pingguo Ha Loud Guojing in Guangxi to play soccer, hoping to help the team to complete the overtaking. Before that, my teammates from Zhejiang and I successfully overtook the team and experienced various stories of overtaking in the season, which can be considered as some upgrading experience. In addition, I also hope that I can play more matches on my feet, show myself on the platform of the China First Division League, and see if I can play soccer on a higher platform in the future. As for future goals, I definitely want to be selected for the national team. I've been playing the China First Division for four years. Although I'm going a bit slow, I'm still going to walk the path because it's my rhythm.
--You have many fans in Shandong, Meizhou and Pingguo, Guangxi, what would you like to say to them?
I'm very grateful for their support. If you think I haven't really played to my ability yet, that's okay. Let time prove everything. I'll give it my all!
