On November 3, Liu Zhu Run, the new star of the seaport who returned home from training with U Croatia, talked about his unforgettable journey in Croatia in an exclusive interview with reporter Ma Dexing.
Feelings about the trip to Croatia -
It's been a remarkable journey, I've experienced the charm of exotic soccer in this land by competing against second division teams and even against KSC teams. The rivalry is much more intense here, which has benefited me and shown me how much I have improved, which is definitely a great encouragement for me.
Reviewing the performance of the first phase of the Super League -
I think my confidence is growing. Last year I was a little nervous when I first joined the team, but this year I'm starting to settle in. I'm also getting closer to my teammates and I'm not as strange as I was last year.
Talking about the difference between the U21 National Youth and Harbor teams -
In the national youth team, we were all the same age and the atmosphere was more open. In Croatia, we are here to learn, so we are more focused on practical rather than technical moves. We were more daring and confident.
Summarizing Croatia's playing experience -
When I first arrived in Croatia, I was eager to prove myself and the coach arranged for me to come on as a substitute. Although I felt muscle fatigue in the late stages, that experience allowed me to deeply appreciate the strength and level of the team.
Discussing whether to join the club or the national youth next year -
It is not for me to decide. If it were up to me, I would like to go to a club that plays more matches. The pace of the game in Croatia is fast and very different from the Chinese Super League. And the Harbour team focuses on fast-paced training, and the head coach, Leko, is also Croatian, and his demands are very similar to the pace here, with intense training. Both sides are good for my growth.
Looking ahead to next year's Olympic qualifiers -
Time is flying by, I thought I had two years to prepare but now I have less than a year left. We need to do well and focus on training. Coach has asked us to give it our all and show our character in the competition.
