East Asian Cup mentality needs to be calm
In the fierce competition of this year's Asian Cup, the Chinese women's soccer team has realized a reversal of Japan and South Korea in the semifinals and finals one after another. In the upcoming East Asian Cup, the Chinese women's soccer team will once again play against these two old rivals, and head coach Shui Qingxia emphasized that the team needs to do well and keep a calm mindset.
"The good results of the Asian Cup show that the Chinese women's soccer team has the ability to defeat any opponent. The first task is to overcome ourselves and then reap the desired results. We need to accurately position ourselves and keep a calm mindset. Winning or losing a soccer game is common, the key is how to show what you have learned in the game, including a deep understanding of soccer. Do not think too much about the result, whether you lose or win, as long as you can improve yourself, it is a success." Shui Qingxia elaborated.
"After winning the championship, people naturally expect more from the women's soccer team, and the demands on me personally may be more stringent. For me, the focus is on concentrating on the process of the game. Of course, pressure is inevitable and I expect the team to win consistently, but there will be challenges, which is part of the job. I'm sure everyone will understand and support me as I address problems and do my best to make adjustments and avoid unnecessary mistakes."
Supporting young players to stay abroad
On July 8, Chinese women's soccer star Zhang Linyan announced that she joined the Swiss Grasshopper women's soccer team. Shui Qingxia said that after Zhang Linyan consulted her opinion, she fully supported the young players to go out of the country and experience a different soccer culture.
"I hope she will be brave enough to try and not give up on soccer just because she is small. I think there are advantages and disadvantages to size and I hope she will be brave enough to step out of the country, her ambition is worth recognizing. Although it may not be up to expectations at the moment, going to Switzerland is also a good choice." Shui Qingxia said.
"Don Chiarelli's year in the Women's Premier League has helped the team immensely. In particular, there has been a marked improvement in confidence, physical play and sensible kicking."
Shui Qingxia also introduced Shen Mengyu, who had previously failed to be called up for the Asian Cup due to visa issues and stayed in the Celtic women's soccer team in Scotland. "I know Shen Mengyu better, although the level of play in Scotland is not particularly high, but her self-confidence is stronger than before. I hope she can make the leap through many games."
Shui Qingxia said she would not worry about players missing out on the intensive training due to staying in the ocean. "The purpose of the intensive training is also to improve. Before the Asian Cup, Tang Jiali delayed her return for a few days because of other matches, it doesn't matter, coming back is also for training. Let her stay in the Premier League to play a game, the intensity of practical training may be higher."
World Cup raises the tempo and confrontation
With the Women's European Championships underway, Shui Qingxia said she is following the matches every day in preparation for next year's Women's World Cup. "I don't know which teams I'll run into in the draw, and the first thing I need to do is to understand the opponents. Now the overall level of Europe are very high, especially in the body punch, attack and defense conversion speed, more and more men's trend."
"Compared to the European Championships, are we too slow-paced? There is still room for improvement in the speed of offense and defense, pressing, and the quality of training needs to be improved. I hope that in the second half of the year or early next year, we can play against more European teams. Of course, the Chinese team has its own characteristics, as long as we keep our mindset and improve a little bit every day, I believe we can play the ideal game. I certainly hope to get into the top few places in the World Cup, but it is more important to find out the shortcomings through training and improve through real games." Shui Qingxia said.
After the East Asia Cup, the Chinese women's soccer team will go to the United States for a one-month training. Shui Qingxia introduced that the team plans to play about 10 warm-up matches against local women's and men's youth soccer teams in the United States. "The intensity will be high, and it will be a psychological building and physical test for the players. To see what we lack in terms of rhythm and confrontation, and what means we should use to improve and let the players grow."
By then, players such as Shen Mengyu, Shen Menglu and Zhao Yujie, who play for European and American clubs, will also participate in the training. Shui Qingxia said: "I hope to have a comprehensive understanding of them, do not miss any potential or can contribute to the Chinese team. I believe that as long as the national team needs, they are obliged."
