I. Top Four Sprint Showing Strength
Fan Zhiyi's prediction of the top four in the Chinese Super League is not an empty one. Shandong Taishan's strength is clear for all to see, both in terms of their outstanding performance in the AFC Champions League and the team's overall depth, making them the favorites to win the title. For Tianjin, the team's 16 consecutive undefeated home games across the season under head coach Yu Genwei has set a new record for undefeated home games in the Chinese Super League, an achievement that is indeed a pleasant surprise. Shanghai Shenhua has just won the Super Cup and is in high spirits. Shanghai Seaport is facing the problem of aging personnel, but the strength of the defending champions should not be underestimated. Fan Zhiyi's prediction reflects his in-depth knowledge of the teams and his accurate grasp of the situation in the Chinese Super League.
II. The path of prophecy makes waves
(i) All eight winners show their magic
During the World Cup, Fan Zhiyi accurately predicted the top eight teams, a feat that sparked widespread attention from fans. With his in-depth knowledge of the teams and rich soccer experience, he successfully guessed all the top eight teams and became a legend in the prediction world. Fans marveled at his prediction ability and looked forward to his performance in the subsequent matches.
(ii) Controversy over the top four "Waterloos"
However, in the battle of the quarterfinals, Fan's predictions were off the mark. He favored Switzerland and Turkey failed to knock out England and the Netherlands in a blowout, and Germany failed to beat Spain in a "tough match." This result made him suffer from the question, many netizens teased him "fell from the altar". But the incident also triggered a profound discussion on sportsmanship. Despite his inaccurate prediction, Fan still sticks to his prediction of France winning the championship. He believes that the French team in this year's European Cup luck burst, although no sports goals, but rely on penalties and udon goals to reach the quarter-finals, there is still the possibility of winning the title. If the French team finally wins the championship, he may be worshiped as a "true god" by the fans again.
III. Penalty kick saga shocks
(i) The Death of Penalty Kicks
Fan Zhiyi's soccer career is not all smooth sailing, he has repeatedly missed penalties, leaving people with deep regret. 1997 Top Ten, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Fan Zhiyi missed a valuable penalty; 1998 East Asia Final Four, in Tokyo, Japan, another penalty worth 200,000 U.S. dollars; before coming to West Asia, but also in the English League, missed a penalty. These three penalties missed, let Fan Zhiyi into the nightmare of penalty kicks.
(ii) A key penalty
However, in the Asian Cup first match against arch-rivals South Korea at the time, fate once again gave Fan Zhiyi a penalty kick opportunity. At this time, Fan Zhiyi, shoulders a huge pressure. But he did not retreat, bravely stood in front of the penalty spot. Fan took a deep breath, with firm conviction and murderous spirit, a bold and powerful shot, pierced through the ten fingers of the South Korean new goalkeeper Kim Yong Dae. At this moment, Fan Zhiyi came out from the nightmare of penalty kicks and showed the spirit of resilience. He told the world with his actions, a soccer player can not always be tortured by penalty kicks, as long as the courage and determination, you can rise from the defeat.
IV. Reflections on naturalization
(i) Hegemonic comments on naturalization
Fan Zhiyi's comments on naturalized players are as domineering as they come. He knows that Chinese soccer has to rely on the Chinese themselves to raise the level, but the existence of naturalized players is a kind of urging to the young players, just like when they went to England to play football and snatch other people's rice bowls. In Fan Zhiyi's view, there are other people to steal the rice bowl, young players must put in the effort, want to get that salary, have that contract, you have to be like the naturalized players with the ability to fight.
(ii) Attitudinal changes that lead to questioning
Fan Zhiyi, who once supported Li Tie in not using naturalized players, now supports Ivan's use of Ackerson and Fernando, a change in attitude that has sparked widespread skepticism. Some people think this is a kind of maturity, able to adjust their views according to different situations and follow the trend of soccer development. However, others feel it is a sadness that the once straight-talking and firm General Fan seems to have disappeared. With the change of the leadership of the FA and the adjustment of the national soccer policy, Fan's attitude has also changed significantly. From opposing naturalization without pedigree, without a sense of national belonging, to now support the reuse of naturalized players, Fan Zhiyi's transformation makes people wonder, it is in the end for the flow, or really see the positive role of naturalized players on Chinese soccer? But in any case, the development of Chinese soccer road is still full of challenges, naturalized players is only one of the aspects, how to cultivate local players, strengthen the construction of youth training, is the key to the long-term development of Chinese soccer.
V. World Preliminary Round Prospects Show Confidence
(i) Tactical analysis and player expectations
Fan Zhiyi in the national football team away to Singapore before the game issued an article to support the national football team. He analyzed that Singapore's style of play may be biased towards defense, and it is likely to set up a big bus tactic. For the national football team, this is undoubtedly a challenge, but Fan Zhiyi is optimistic that Ackerson and Fernando can play an important role in the game. Ackerson has high hopes from Ivankovic as an experienced striker. And with Fernando's speed, Fan believes he may play a key role in breaking down the opposing team's dense defense. In addition, Fan also mentioned local players such as Wu Lei, Wei Shihao and Xie Pengfei, believing that their combing and interspersing in the midfield can create opportunities for the team.
(ii) Historical performance and sources of confidence
According to official statistics, the national football team has met Singapore 16 times in history, with a record of 11 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses. The last time the national football team lost to Singapore was in a friendly match in December 1983, and since then, in the past 40 years, the national football team has won 10 wins and 2 draws in 12 matches and remained undefeated against Singapore. Such historical record undoubtedly gives Fan Zhiyi confidence, he believes that the national football team has the advantage in strength, as long as the normal level of play, will be able to win on the road. Fan Zhiyi's support has also given the national soccer team more motivation and confidence, allowing them to fight harder in the game and work hard for the victory.
VI. High impact of market trends
(i) The "Fan Zhiyi Effect" shook England.
Fan Zhiyi's outstanding performance for Crystal Palace in England has sparked a great deal of interest in the Chinese player from English clubs. During the Asian Cup tournament, many agents from English super and first division clubs came to Lebanon to watch the Chinese player's performance, and they were full of praise for Fan Zhiyi, believing that the Chinese player has the ability to gain a foothold in the English soccer world. Fan's price tag of less than a million dollars when he moved to England also made English clubs feel that Chinese players are affordable. The rise in the number of Chinese players staying in England is closely linked to Fan's success at Crystal Palace. During the Asian Cup, Crystal Palace failed to win a single game in Fan's five-game absence; in the four games he played after his return, Crystal Palace won all of them, a stark contrast that speaks volumes about Fan's importance.
(ii) "The Great Wall of China" attracts attention.
Crystal Palace loaned Sun Jihai and Li Ming in an attempt to create the "Great Wall of China". The Fan Zhiyi effect has made Crystal Palace famous and popular in China. CCTV's first broadcast of a Crystal Palace match attracted a large Chinese audience. The Crystal Palace club opened a Chinese website, calculating to market souvenirs and T-shirts in China. Smith, the current manager of Crystal Palace, purchased Sun Jihai and Li Ming for £2 million, believing it to be good value for money. Fan Zhiyi's performance at Crystal Palace has attracted many local Chinese fans to follow Crystal Palace matches, contributing to Crystal Palace's competition for the Chinese fan market.
(iii) Classical quotes that are hotly debated
Fan Zhiyi reintroduced his classic quotes in the interview, which once again triggered a hot debate in the soccer world. His insightful analysis of the current situation of Chinese soccer has opened people's eyes to the problems in the development of Chinese soccer. His outspoken criticism reflects his responsibility as a footballer. At the same time, his expectations and plans for the future of Chinese soccer also point out the direction for the development of Chinese soccer. Fan Zhiyi's classic quotes are not only a reflection on the current situation of Chinese soccer, but also a hope for the future, which shows his deep emotion and persistent pursuit of Chinese soccer.
