In an interview with Taishan Evening News reporter Niu Zhiming, Taian Tianzhu head coach Liu Jindong.
In the final league game of the season, you led the team to a 6-0 victory at home in one of the team's best games of the season. What was your biggest feeling after the game?
Liu Jindong:The biggest feeling is thanks, thanks for the support and help in all aspects after a season, thanks for all the people who pay for Taian Tianwei Football Club. This season, we have regrets and more gains. For the whole team, we gave everything, so we have no complaints.
As you mentioned earlier, this season was a bit of a shame. Unfortunately the team didn't make it to the top group, but the team played well in the final stages and the season ended with a winning streak. What do you think was the most crucial factor?
Liu Jindong:I think the most crucial factor is stability, firstly, the stability of the team's lineup and playing style, and secondly, the stability of the club's common cognition. After half a season of bonding, everyone's values and goals gradually converged, which is crucial for a young team. This was the main reason why we formed a stable system at the end of the season, with relatively good results despite the team being disrupted by injuries. The winning streak in the final stage actually reflects the changes in the team after stabilizing the lineup, with more familiarity between players, firmer tactical play and execution, and a naturally smoother game process.
We've been using a relatively consistent starting lineup in the final stretch, which is a big difference from the start of the season, including a big change in the team's lineup at the start of the season. Has this also affected the team's performance? What are your thoughts and ideas for the team going forward?
Liu Jindong:As a matter of fact, this year's China B champion Chongqing Tongliang Dragon, runner-up Dalian Zhixing, and third-place finisher Yunnan Yukun are the best cases. All three teams were last year's Chinese champions and this year's China B, jumping twice in two years. One of the common points of the three teams is the stability of their team lineup. After charging to B last year, they retained their main framework and strengthened their positions based on the larger framework. The team members are familiar with each other and are more determined to play and execute the coach's tactics. They start preparing for battle from January of the season, prepare for physical fitness before the crucial season, and arrange high-quality warm-up matches. These are the kind of preparations a professional team should make.
This year was our second season as a real professional club and it was actually much more difficult than last year. For our team, the idea of preparation and signing was influenced to some extent by the addition of China A. We started to form the team at the beginning of April, which was not only late, but also a lot of players that we planned to import didn't get signed for different reasons. The season saw injuries to many of the starters and a major change in the starting lineup. This, coupled with the addition and supplementation of new players, prolonged the period of bonding and change in the team. In my opinion, this is the tuition fee that a young team must pay as it grows, and the experience that a team needs to accumulate as it grows. Growth requires belief.
So looking back at all the games this season, which one were you most satisfied with?
Liu Jindong:In fact, every game of a season is worth remembering, and every game has a different process and gain. I think the most classic match of the season should be the AFC Cup, the home match against Sichuan Jiuniu (the champion of the Central League). We were down three times, equalized three times, and finally lost on penalties. This is a classic battle that will go down in the history of Tai'an soccer, showing the team's tenacity and spirit of fighting hard and defying the strongest players.
As the guide of Tai'an soccer from amateur league to professional league, you can be said to be the best witness. After three years, what would you most like to say to this team and Taian soccer?
Liu Jindong:Taian soccer needs a process from amateur to professional. We have successfully upgraded at the league level. However, we should have enough patience to accompany it to grow slowly in terms of club building and soccer culture cultivation. We should not kill it with a stick, let alone encourage it. We should take it one step at a time. After these two years of battles in the professional league, the development and team building ideas of Taian Tianhe Investors have become clearer and the cohesion of the team has become stronger, which is a very good phenomenon.
In fact, over the past three years, you and your team have experienced three years of a completely different format, ranging from an amateur league elimination tournament to a professional league tournament game. This year is a return to home and away play. How have you faced these changes?
Liu Jindong:It's better for soccer to go back to the way it was. Having fans cheering live is a fantastic picture. Likewise, the pressure of the result of the match will increase accordingly. But it is also the motivation for us to win and the foundation of the soccer culture in this city. The team and the fans are complete together.
As you can see, Tai'an fans are still very supportive of you, and this season has been dedicated to making TIFO for you, what do you most want to say to Tai'an fans?
Liu Jindong:First of all, we certainly want to thank all the fans in Tai'an who have supported our team and myself for their selfless efforts and companionship through thick and thin. It is because of them that young Tai'an is energized and prestigious. The support and recognition from the fans is also the motivation and strength to keep going. Their careful planning and actions have added a colorful touch to the new soccer city of Tai'an.
Your identity is changing from player to coach, is it different to face the fans?
Liu Jindong:Whether players or coaches, the feeling of facing the fans is basically the same. They are the source of fighting strength. They win, crazy, lose, carry together. If it's not the same, we should stand up and accept the cheers and accusations of the player era. Now as a coach, I prefer to watch the players and fans share the joy of winning in the moment of victory. When we lose, I need to step up and protect the players, take the blame for the loss, and give the fans something to vent about. Most importantly, we need to take care of the fledgling Taian soccer, and we need clubs, teams and fans to work together to create a healthy soccer atmosphere, patience and common growth, and firm investment.
