The unexpected defeat of the Chinese women's soccer team at the Tokyo Olympics has set off a wave of coaching changes. It is reported that the CFA intends to invite Shui Qingxia, the gold-medal coach of the Shanghai women's soccer team, to be the leader of the coaching team of the joint women's soccer team for the upcoming National Games.
File photo: Shui Qingxia, taken by Xinmin Evening News reporter Li Ming Shen.
Tokyo Olympics, China's women's soccer performance is far below expectations: the first battle Brazil to 0-5 defeat, the second battle Zambia although the draw but exposed the lack of strength, the last battle is to 2-8 loss to the Netherlands. Only 1 point in three games, ranked at the bottom of the list, 17 goals conceded set the worst record in the Olympic Games. Manager Jia Xiuquan's ability to employ and coach has been widely questioned, and his dismissal seems inevitable.
Who will replace Jia Xiuquan and carry the flag of revitalizing Chinese women's football? Among the many speculations, former Henan Jianye boss Wang Baoshan and Hong Kong women's coach Chan Yuen-ting had been on the list. After comprehensive consideration, the CFA finally extended an olive branch to Shui Qingxia, the accomplished coach of Shanghai women's soccer.
Photo: Shui Qingxia as a player.
Shui Qingxia, 55, is one of the pioneers of the Chinese women's soccer team, who helped the Chinese women's soccer team win the silver medal as a starter at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Calm character, comprehensive technology, style of tenacity, she has become an idol in the hearts of many people in the player's era. After retirement, Shui Qingxia transformed into a coach, starting from an assistant coach, coached the women's national youth football team, and now serves as the head coach of the first team of the Shanghai women's football team. 20 years of coaching career, she has led the team to win the league, cup, and National Games many times, with outstanding results.
FOU: Shui Qingxia honored as Women's Super League Coach of the Year for the 2016 season.
Rich coaching experience, brilliant team performance and pragmatic style of work, so that the water Qingxia has become China's women's football new coach of the favorite candidate. Especially when the women's soccer team is in the doldrums, there is a need for such an "iron-fisted" coach to revitalize the team. Shanghai fans also have high hopes for her. If Shui Qingxia can finally take charge of the women's soccer team, she will become the next Ma Liangxing, the Shanghai soccer world, another coach in charge of the national coaching whip.
China's women's soccer players in the end of the Tokyo Olympics journey, will be the identity of the National Games joint team, to participate in the National Games held in Shaanxi in September women's soccer competition. At that time, Shui Qingxia is expected to lead the team in the capacity of "acting head coach". Shanghai women's soccer team has also adjusted the coaching team, by Shanghai U18 women's soccer coach Pan Weimin took over, Wang Jiaming as assistant coach.
Photo: Shui Qingxia.
At the lowest moment of women's soccer, Shui Qingxia's "come forward" is undoubtedly difficult. She knows that she will face many challenges, but she has deep feelings for the Chinese women's soccer team, but also know the expectations of the fans. "As a former member of the Chinese women's soccer team, I have deep feelings for her, but also understand the fans' expectations of her. For me personally, this is undoubtedly a great challenge, but I hope to do my best to help the Chinese women's soccer team out of the doldrums." (Xinmin Evening News reporter Guan Yin)
Outside the field丨expectation
As the saying goes, an incompetent general exhausts all three armies. The importance of a good skipper to a team cannot be overstated.
China's women's soccer team has had a glorious history, and the spirit of the "Clanging Roses" has inspired countless people. However, the successive losses in the Tokyo Olympics have plunged the women's soccer team into a trough. At this moment, it is especially important to choose a suitable leader.
Regarding the selection of coaches for the women's soccer team, we have taken a lot of detours. Over the years, many foreign coaches have been hired and the frequency of coaching changes has been quite high.
Shui Qingxia is undoubtedly a wise and pragmatic choice. 20 years of focusing on women's soccer coaching is not easy; to do well is even more difficult. She is full of enthusiasm for the cause of Chinese women's soccer, full of passion and motivation, her achievements are obvious to all, and she can continuously cultivate excellent talents. Simply put, she has the qualifications, ability and charisma to be a suitable candidate.
Of course, the reform and improvement of Chinese women's soccer will not happen overnight, it will be a long and difficult process. At this moment, we need to give Shui Qingxia more time, trust and support.
Shui Qingxia was best known for her free kicks during her playing days. Now, we are looking forward to seeing Shui take some good shots in her new role in the Chinese women's soccer team.
