For a long time, Chinese soccer has been struggling, but many talented players have emerged. Today, Bohu will remember the outstanding players of AA era with all the soccer fans, mentioning the legendary captain of Sichuan Quanxing - Wei Qun, who was once regarded as the best right back of the national soccer team.
Wei Qun was a longtime starter at right back until Sun Jihai rose to become a regular starter in the national soccer team. Some may mention that Sun Jihai, a Chinese player who played in Europe, undoubtedly appeared as a wave that pushed forward the previous wave. But the fact is that Wei Qun had the opportunity to study abroad, but for various reasons and missed it.
In 2022, Daredevil Wei looks back on this regrettable past.
"I remember that the club leadership gave me a direct ticket to Frankfurt. between 1999 and 2000, Yu Dongfeng (former Sichuan Quanxing coach) had contacted Frankfurt for me to try out during his studies in Germany. Unexpectedly, I received a notice from Yu's coach in December, asking the club to assist in the process. The club was looking forward to this. However, I was unable to obtain a visa during the Christmas period, and the New Year's Day holiday coincided with the imminent closure of the European transfer window, so I was ultimately unable to make the trip. I felt very sorry at that time."
--Wei Qun, when recalling this experience last year, still had a hint of regret in his words.
If Wei Qun could have traveled to another country at that time, it is unknown whether the main position of the national football team would have been taken over by Sun Jihai. However, Wei Qun retired in a hurry after the 2002 season due to age and club changes. Objectively speaking, at that time, he still had the strength to fight for another two or three years. This also mirrors the helpless situation faced by professional players in the domestic arena at the time.
Ironically, the soul of the Sichuan soccer team ended up hanging up his boots at Yunnan Hongta.
Taking Fan Zhiyi's success at Crystal Palace as an example, there is reason to believe that Wei Qun can achieve the same. With their similar personalities, they will have no trouble integrating into their new environment.
Fan also needs to curb his temperament when facing Wei Qun.
At the same time, Wei Qun's excellent physical quality enables him to adapt to the intense confrontation in the European field. Not only is his defense excellent, but his assisting talent also meets the needs of European teams. In short, Wei Qun's career will be even more brilliant if he can play abroad.
Wei Qun's trademark: a precise and powerful long-distance shot to break through the goal
Throughout his career, Wei Qun scored 31 league goals, a statistic that puts today's defenders to shame as a defender.
Wei Qun is also the first defender to score a hat trick since the Chinese professional league.
The overall level of Chinese soccer at that time was low, especially in the A and A periods. Many players relied on their own effort and understanding to fight their way through the field. If they were exposed to higher level training and matches, their progress would have been obvious. After Fan Zhiyi went to England A, the defensive awareness and players' level were significantly improved, and the likes of Yang Chen, Xie Hui and Sun Jihai benefited greatly.
Fan reaps the rewards of his stay in the country.
On the occasion of Wei Qun's retirement, there was a saying circulating in the jungle that the last big man in the soccer world had retired.
