Song Kai, President of the Football Association, at the U15 awards ceremony of the Central Youth Championship.
Yesterday morning, the Chinese men's soccer team conducted its third outdoor training session at the secondary field of Shenzhen Universiade Center Stadium. During the training, CFA Chairman Song Kai appeared at the training site. It is understood that Song Kelley used the opportunity of going to Shenzhen to study youth soccer to visit the national soccer team that is preparing for the 36th round of the world preliminaries. After a heart-to-heart talk with some of the team's veterans, Song Kai encouraged the team to "unite as one and play with the true spirit of Chinese soccer".
A few days ago, accompanied by the Guangdong Provincial Sports Management Department and the Shenzhen Municipal Football Management Department relevant person in charge, Song Kai, President of the CFA, appeared in Shenzhen and went to the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base in Guangming District, Shenzhen, to investigate the content of youth training.
Song Kai had another important job to do when he went to Pengcheng, and that was to visit the Chinese men's soccer team in the first two rounds of the second phase (36) of the 2026 World Qualifying Tournament in Asia.
According to the Beijing Youth Daily reporter, after the youth training research work on that day, Song Kai made a special trip to the national football resident hotel, and exchanged views with some veteran players, including captain Wu Xi. In the process of heart-to-heart, Song Kai also expressed the CFA and his expectations and trust in the national football team, especially for the veteran players. It is hoped that these veteran players who have played for the country in many major tournaments will play a leading role. In fact, in the course of internal work exchanges, Song Kai has always emphasized that the role of veteran players is very important to this national team. The Chinese team must give full play to the helping role of the veteran players in order to impact the World Cup.
Yesterday morning, the national soccer team went to the Universiade Center soccer field vice field for outdoor cooperation training. Song Kai and his team appeared at the training site more than halfway through the training process. After the training, Song Kai delivered a less than five-minute speech at the site. Song Kai encouraged the players that the task of hitting the World Cup is important. The CFA and himself will always trust and support the team, and hope that the players can put down their burdens, unite, and play the true spirit of Chinese soccer. Song Kai also told the players to take care of their health and look forward to the team's victory in their first match of this World Cup.
It has been reported that Song Kai will not be supervising away matches between the national soccer team's first match of the 36-team tournament and Thailand in order to avoid adding pressure on the national soccer team. However, he still plans to be in Shenzhen to watch and cheer on the national soccer team in their crucial home match against South Korea on the 21st of this month.
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Xu Haofeng: The "Happiness" of Being Selected for the National Team Suddenly Arrived
Before the start of the third outdoor training session, 24-year-old defender Xu Haofeng from the Shenzhen team was interviewed by the media as an absolute newcomer to the national soccer team. From Xu Haofeng's nervous expression in front of the media cameras, the "happiness" of being selected for the national team came suddenly.
Xu Haofeng, 24, left for Dalian on Nov. 4 to conduct personal affairs after attending the final round of the Chinese Super League match against Guoan. If he hadn't received a call from the national team's recruitment notice, he might have already started enjoying his rare vacation at this moment. Although the vacation plan was canceled, Xu Haofeng still felt surprised and proud that he became an international player. Speaking of this, Xu Haofeng confessed: "First of all, I think it's a bit sudden. I will cherish the opportunity to work out in the national team. Thanks to the head coach's recognition. I think no matter what role I play in the national team, I will do my best, train well and play my role in the team."
Xu Haofeng also had the support of his family, and he was able to make gradual progress on his soccer journey, eventually making his dream come true by being selected for the national team. He also revealed, "Ever since I was young, they (my parents) wanted me not to put too much pressure on myself."
Xu Haofeng thanked Yankovic, the head coach of the national soccer team. After all, before that, he had been engaged in Yankovic for a long time in the original men's Asian Games team (National Youth Football Team) in 1999, and the trust or tacit understanding between master and disciple had been established. Xu Haofeng said: "He (head coach) told more about the training requirements before the training. He has worked with the Asian Games team before and has a thorough understanding of his tactics."
Regarding the upcoming World Qualifiers, Xu Haofeng looks forward: "Ever since I started playing soccer, it's been my biggest dream to join the national team and play in the World Cup. I am honored to join this big family. I will definitely try my best to slowly show my character in training." On Thailand, the 36th opponent in this year's World Qualifier, Xu Haofeng said:- "They may be faster on their feet, but I think we have the advantage in body and speed. We will implement the tactical requirements of the head coach and prepare well."
