In the passionate battle in Gusu, China's national team coached by Li Tie is gearing up for the remaining four matches of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers. Wu Lei, a former outstanding player in Europe's top five leagues and a "village talent", returned to his homeland after an 18-month hiatus and will once again don the gown to lead the national soccer team in the intercontinental tournament.
"Our approach is clear and that is to go all out and try to qualify for the Round of 12. Especially playing at home, we are confident that we will achieve our goal." Wu Lei is looking forward to the upcoming four group matches. The national football team has absorbed five naturalized players in this training, a record high. Wu Lei also said, "I'm very much looking forward to playing alongside them, and in the national team I'm sure we'll be able to work together silently."
Self-explanation: breathing with the national football team, sharing the same fate
Although Director Li has been on the job for a long time and the national soccer team has had several training sessions, this is the first time Wu Lei has been involved in one of them, and he feels both fresh and excited. "Even though I was geographically far away from the national soccer team before, our hearts were always together after each training session started." Wu Lei revealed that he always kept an eye on the team's dynamics, including training arrangements, work schedules and meal times, which enabled him to quickly integrate into the team.
Wu Lei also said that director Li often communicates with him in the WeChat group as well, which allows him to know the dynamics of the team. He believes that with these foundations, he can quickly get into shape after this return.
On the skipper: Li Tie passes on must-win beliefs
Wu Lei said that he has participated in a number of training sessions, the biggest feeling is that Li Tie has always been to the players to convey the belief that must win. "It feels like the team has a very good atmosphere and cohesion now. Director Li has been cheering us up in training and life, and my exchanges with my teammates have given me a sense of confidence. We all think there is hope for this team, so the team is now very good in terms of mentality and confidence."
Wu Lei also found that the national football team is now training at a very fast pace. He said, "Director Li's demand for training tempo is very high, and this is what I feel deeply about returning to the national soccer team after one and a half years. Through this high-intensity training, we will surely be able to adapt to the upcoming intercontinental matches."
On Naturalization: Expecting On-Field Rapport
Compared to Lippi's time, when the national football team only had two naturalized players in the first stage of the 40-team tournament, Li Ke and Aixon, Li Tie has recruited a total of five naturalized players this time, which is a record high. Such a change makes Wu Lei both familiar and unfamiliar. Familiar because he is already a veteran of the national team; unfamiliar because the national team appeared a lot of new faces, especially the five naturalized players, before they are still playing for the Chinese Super League team of foreign aid.
"All of them have played as opponents before, this time in the national team and some players are working together as teammates for the first time." Wu Lei sees no problem with the ability of the naturalized players, "They have all proved themselves in the Chinese Super League before, I think there is no problem at all to work with the naturalized players, we are all very capable players, and when we get to the pitch we can feel each other's tacit understanding, and I'm looking forward to it."
On the line: expect fans to cheer for the national football team
In Wu Lei's opinion, he is in the best age and condition, "The first two years of playing in Europe, and after coming back, I also hope to bring something different to the national team. Now the 1989 age group of this group of players, are in the golden age and the best state, and the participation of naturalized players, for our team is the best opportunity (to impact the World Cup)."
Wu Lei also thanked the fans in particular for their support: "Thank you very much for the fans' concern for the inspiration, many of the Spaniards' matches are in the early hours of Beijing time, but I know that a lot of fans stay up late to watch the game. In addition, when I returned to my country, from the plane to the isolation of the hotel, the whole tight and orderly epidemic prevention and control of the normalized system, let me feel that only we can do it, deeply feel the strength of the motherland. I also saw many frontline staff are sticking to their posts and contributing to the epidemic prevention, thanks for their efforts. The World Preliminary Round 40 is about to start, we will definitely try our best to play a good game, and expect us to cheer for us!"
