On March 10, the dust settled from the U20 Asian Cup knockout rounds, and according to Sportsweek, the U20 national team was quickly put into recovery training. Coach Antonio did not say much, only a short 10 minutes, a short but profound summary of the players.
"Perhaps in the eyes of the onlookers, we should have packed our bags and set off for the airport, but our journey is far from over. We had been unheralded and no one foresaw us making it out of the group stage, let alone among the top eight in Asia." Antonio's words reveal determination.
"But our pace never stops, and we are here, ready for the next battle. And I want you to know that you are the best! The talk from the outside world, whether it's positive or negative, shouldn't be a hindrance to us. All that matters is that you believe in yourselves, because it is only with confidence that we can move on and not wander on our way home."
"We are all clear about what Chinese soccer lacks most at the moment. We work together, not only for individuals, but for the future of Chinese soccer. Now, we have stepped into the door of the top eight in Asia. When our 05 age group national youth team debuts in the future U20 Asian Cup, they will not repeat our mistakes and will not be a fourth-tier team. They will appear as a Tier 1 team in the next qualifiers. What they will enjoy is the fruits of their efforts through relentless hard work. Without your hard work and achievements today, the teams that follow may face even tougher challenges, and that is what makes your work meaningful and worthwhile."
"I am not boasting about our achievements, but I am emphasizing that before committing ourselves to today's work, we have set our sights on tomorrow and the future. Chinese soccer needs this kind of work ethic and approach, so I hope that when you put on your uniforms, you will see more flags and always remember that the work you do today is for the glorious tomorrow of Chinese soccer.
"So what about our dreams? We all aspire to travel to Indonesia and compete in the World Junior Championships. If we want to achieve this goal, we have to overcome this difficult hurdle. From now on, we will embark on the road of preparation, discarding distractions and full of confidence that we will be able to realize our dream."
