On August 10, news reports showed that Shui Qingxia, the soul of China's women's soccer team, talked about her soccer journey, her dual role from player to coach, in an in-depth interview with the New People's Evening News.
first time in soccer
Who would have thought that I would follow the path of soccer," recalls Shui Qingxia. Girls playing soccer sounded incredible. At first, I was skeptical, thinking it was too rough a sport. However, by chance, I was selected by the coach to join the Shanghai team because of my unyielding spirit and good physical fitness. As the game progressed, my love for soccer grew and so did my self-confidence.
The Beginning of the Ballpark
Talking about the idea of kicking a soccer ball, Shui Qingxia confessed: "At the beginning, my understanding of soccer was very simple, just kicking. At first, I felt a little embarrassed because of playing soccer. After all, I thought soccer was a rough sport at that time, especially when I played on a rainy day, I was covered with mud. But getting along with my teammates gradually made me change this view. I was considered a younger player in the team, and at first I had to sit on the bench, but then I gradually found my feet and scored more goals, and the coach gave me many opportunities, which made my love for soccer deeper and deeper.
National team career
Talking about her career as an international soccer player, Shui Qingxia said, "I have been in and out of the national team three times, mainly because of the change of positions on the field. In the Shanghai team, I played as a striker, but in the national team, I joined the team late and the striker position was already occupied, so I had to play left back. Although I don't like to play defense, I know I have a lot to show, I just didn't play it.
The tenacity of the "man of the hour".
Talking about her body, Shui Qingxia said, "My nose looks intact, but in fact I have broken it twice and had it reconstructed. In addition to that broken leg in Japan, I have also broken the cruciate ligament in my knee. These injuries are all part of growing up for me and have taught me to persevere and overcome difficulties.
Memories of the Olympics
Recalling the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, Shui Qingxia said, "In the 1996 Olympics, we made it to the championship final for the first time, and I was injured and cramped, and ultimately failed to hold on until the end of the tournament.In 2000, I was 35 years old, and this was my last chance for the national team, and although we failed to get out of our group, I gave it my all in the hope of accomplishing the wish."
Transitioning into Coaching
Talking about the transition to become a coach, Shui Qingxia said, "After the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, I started to take coaching certificates while playing soccer to prepare for my future transition. I think learning from the perspective of a coach can make me think more clearly, and more importantly, I have always favored the job of a coach because I think I can give a lot of care to the players."
Regrets of the National Games
Recalling that her team failed to make it out of the 2013 National Games, Shui Qingxia said, "The problems that occur on the court are all the coach's problems. If it is not suitable to be a head coach, then don't be one.
Being the head coach of the national team
Talking about becoming the head coach of the national team, Shui Qingxia said, "I have never said that I must become the coach of the national team, but after a period of coaching career, I have such a dream. When you become a head coach, you have to bear the pressure, think of ways to dissolve the pressure, adjust yourself, and not be trapped by the pressure.
Recipe for Success
Talking about the secret of success, Shui Qingxia said, "I think the most important thing is the cohesion of the team, just like a family. My teammates and I call each other Big Sister, Second Sister, and Little Sister, and we all give for a common goal with less calculation. No one will be happy when they hit a low point, but what is important is how to change, so I have been encouraging everyone in the hope of helping the team find the spirit of defiance and the desire to win.
Communicating with veteran players
Talking about communicating with veteran players, Shui Qingxia said, "Some of the veteran players told me that they waited 16 years to get the championship. I was touched to hear them say that.
Interaction with players
Talking about communication with players, Shui Qingxia said, "In retrospect, no matter what it takes a process. As a coach, I gradually learned to look at things from the right perspective. Some players need to be publicly criticized, while others need to be privately communicated with. I'm very tolerant of players, I can accept normal mistakes, but I can't accept that I don't dare to attack because I'm afraid of mistakes.
Comparison of old and new women's soccer teams
Talking about the comparison between the old and new women's soccer teams, Shui Qingxia said: "I don't think there is a reasonable comparison, because the times are different and everyone pursues different things. Nowadays, children are very smart and accept new things quickly, they have their own ideas, I hope they can surpass our generation and learn our spirit. In the Asian Cup, I saw the shadow of the old women's soccer team, but I hope they become themselves.
