Rising soccer star Jiantao's path of growth
On December 26, 2023, the national soccer team thrashed Abu Dhabi's second division team by a 5-1 score. In this warm-up match, Chengdu Rongcheng's young goalkeeper Jian Tao made his debut. Although the team conceded a goal in 45 minutes, Jian Tao's excellent saving ability successfully blocked the opponent's one-touch goal. After the match, he was interviewed by Red Star News and talked about his mentor Xiang Xuchao, who trained with him at the Chengdu Football Association's Derry Football Training Center.
Xiang Xuchao was full of praise for Jian Tao: "I have a deep affinity with Jian Tao. Before I started coaching him, I attended a goalkeeper coaching course in Chengdu. At that time, I thought Jian Tao was smart and had a great body. I predicted that he would have a great future. As expected, he came to me a year later. Besides Jiantao, I have also coached Ran Weifeng, and two other goalkeepers who are now in college."
Jian Tao's assessment of Xiang Xuchao is more modest: "He has always been clear about his goals and the direction of his endeavors, and has never given up. My years in France have benefited me a lot, seeing the requirements of European professional players. Although I advised him to return home, he insisted on studying in France."
Cian Towers has had a rather rocky experience in France. In his last year at Ligue 1 side Beaujolais Libertés, he missed a trial with Auxerre due to playing in the promotion playoffs and was unable to renew his contract. During this period, he even had to work in a restaurant and wash dishes to make ends meet. This experience made him more independent and taught him how to self-regulate in the face of adversity.
Xiang Xuchao still remembers Jian Tao signing his first professional contract on his birthday in Chengdu Rongcheng, which became an unforgettable birthday present. Jian Tao's first game in the Chinese Super League saw him scored three goals in the first half by Qingdao Hainiu, but he remained consistent in the second half, thanks to his years of experience. After that, Jian Tao's performance got better and better and he became the main goalkeeper of Chengdu Rongcheng, won the monthly best goalkeeper award of the China Super League and was selected to the national team.
Chengdu player Jian Tao became a member of the national soccer team and the first international goalkeeper in Chengdu's history. When the head coach of the national team pulled him into a group chat, Jian Tao was the first to report the news to Xiang Xuchao. Xiang Xuchao said he learned of the news before the end of the league, but never told him in order not to put pressure on him.
Xiang Xuchao was not surprised by Jiantao's performance in the national team. He said, "Jiantao is dominant on the court, but is like a big kid off the court. This cute personality has won the coaches' favor. His hard work and self-discipline are equally admirable."
In reality, Jian Tao did not need too much emphasis or warning. He only needed to learn from the seniors in the team and ask them for more advice.
