China's women's soccer team's journey in this year's World Cup has come to an end, but the upcoming final on August 20, Spain and England will undoubtedly become the focus of the competition. No matter whose house the flower of victory finally blooms in, a new history will be created, becoming the second country after Germany to reach the top of the men's and women's soccer World Cup. However, for Chinese fans, England's victory seems to bring a touch of solace, as if to prove that China's women's soccer team is still honored despite defeat.
The performance of the Chinese women's soccer team in this year's World Cup has triggered extensive discussion, in which the coach Shui Qingxia's hiring strategy has become a target. In particular, the abandonment of Tang Jiali and Xiao Yuyi has pushed Shui Qingxia to the center of public opinion. Although Shui did not give a satisfactory explanation for abandoning the two, Tang Jiali's statement on social media and the players' dissatisfaction have exposed the deep-seated conflicts in the selection and employment of Chinese women's soccer.
After Tang Jiali, Zhao Yujie joined the ranks of the skeptics. She posted a series of photos on social media, bluntly pointing out the players' weight problem and suggesting that it could be the reason for China's women's soccer team's loss. Her comments have not only sparked controversy, but may also trigger more subsequent reactions.
The weight figures of England women's soccer star Laurence James are particularly striking in the photos posted by Zhao Yujie. The England star showed amazing strength in the match against the Chinese women's soccer team and became England's goal-scoring machine. However, Zhao Yujie's comments implied that if Laurence James was in China, she might not be selected for the national team because of her weight.
Zhao Yujie's comments were supported by many players, including Li Ying and Zhang Xin. Both players failed to make the national team, yet they supported Zhao Yujie on social media. This reflects a general dissatisfaction within the Chinese women's soccer team with Shui Qingxia's hiring strategy.
The Chinese women's soccer team's fiasco at this year's World Cup has become an inescapable topic. Many players have expressed dissatisfaction with Shui Qingxia's employment, and the views of core players such as Wang Frost have sparked widespread discussion. In the face of adversity, the Chinese women's soccer team needs to reflect and improve, and Zhao Yujie's outspokenness may just be the beginning of the push for this change.
