In Haikou, the entire squad of the national football team number 9 has been assembled. Subsequently, under the leadership of head coach Ivan, they officially embarked on their winter training, fully immersing themselves in preparation for upcoming events.
The recently announced squad list includes a total of 32 players who have qualified for selection. However, Fernandinho did not report for duty, resulting in an actual arrival count of 31 players.
Apart from a handful of players over 30 years old, the majority of the players are quite young. Several players, like Hou Yongyong, are even making their first selection into the national team.
After two days of training, journalists visited the national team's training base in Haikou to conduct interviews with Wei Shihao and Hu Hetao.
The journalists posed the same question to both of them: what is the atmosphere within the national team?
Since Ivan took office recently, he has implemented extensive changes to the team's roster, promoting many young players. Taking the current lineup as an example, the number of players from Guoan accounts for nearly half, which is why the journalists raised this related question.
With the departure of older players and the continuous influx of new young players, there has been a significant change in the team's playing style.
Although the players still have technical shortcomings, they show more determination and spirit. For instance, during the home match against Japan, despite being technically inferior, they managed to score a goal in open play and even made the Japanese team look quite embarrassed at times.
In the past, such a scenario was unimaginable. In recent years, many of the older national team players became hesitant when they got the ball, unwilling to make bold moves or take risks, which was quite frustrating to watch.
Since Ivan adjusted the roster, the team's playing style has become noticeably more proactive. On the field, older players like Wang Dalei, Li Lei, and Wei Shihao have provided guidance to the younger players, which everyone can see clearly.
The older players support rather than suppress the newcomers, while the newcomers enhance the team's competitiveness through their own efforts. They help each other, creating a healthy model that allows the team to develop continuously, full of vitality and life, promoting the team's positive development.
At least on the surface, the national team presents a picture of brotherly affection. It is precisely because of this that the journalists asked this question, wanting to explore what their private situation is really like.
Hu Hetao said, "The team always maintains a high degree of unity. When we are together, we can laugh and joke freely, and our mentality is very optimistic. We often communicate face-to-face, especially during meals."
When asked about the situation, Wei Shihao, known for his straightforwardness, bluntly stated, "This period is the best stage for the team's atmosphere so far."
Since even Wei Shihao has expressed this, it is enough to show that the current situation within the national team is indeed quite good. At the very least, the members of the team were all promoted based on their own abilities, and they are all willing to spare no effort for the national team. Only in this way can everyone's hearts come together, and their strength can be exerted in the same direction.
Wei Shihao also mentioned that the newly joined young players are all full of vitality. As an older teammate, he feels it is his responsibility to help them achieve good results in the game.
Hu Hetao also expressed that their goal as young players is to inject positive competitive energy into the national team. Every member of the team is working hard, aiming to fully demonstrate their abilities and charm in front of the head coach to prove their worth.
He also emphasized that in private settings, Li Lei has given him a lot of help. He often analyzes the game situation with him in detail and can accurately point out his shortcomings, then assists him in correcting these issues.
Seeing the national team in such a state, as fans, we can finally rest assured.
For a long time, due to various factors, the selection of the national team has seen many cases where people relied on personal connections to get selected. These individuals actually do not possess the corresponding abilities but occupy spots on the national team through connections, which to some extent affects the overall strength and development of the national team.
Such a selection method is obviously unfair and will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among other players. In this case, how could the team atmosphere be good? And the team's performance on the field would undoubtedly suffer severe consequences.
Currently, everyone is fighting for opportunities based on their own abilities. Only those with outstanding abilities can make the cut, and only those who perform well can get the chance to play. In this way, no matter who ultimately gets the opportunity to play, everyone can accept it wholeheartedly.
Although there is a competitive relationship between each other, don't forget that they are teammates. When necessary, they should lend a helping hand, after all, everyone's common goal is to help the national team successfully qualify for the World Cup.
In my opinion, Ivan's repeated changes to the roster and promotion of new players have a deep purpose behind them, which I believe is exactly the underlying purpose of his actions.
Those who do not meet the requirements in the past should be phased out. Those who remain must have excellent abilities and impeccable character, only then can they fully play the role of leading the new in work or related matters.
Newcomers should also have the courage to think big and fight hard, never fearing any opponent they encounter. Remember, when facing various challenges, only by gathering courage, actively striving forward, daring to imagine and fight, can one break through difficulties and make progress. One must not be afraid to retreat due to the opponent's situation.
When Ivan first took over the team, he didn't have time to adjust the lineup. At that time, he clearly stated that he would definitely make appropriate adjustments to the lineup later to win the quota to go to the World Cup.
At that time, we simply didn't believe he had the ability to break the complex situation of intertwined interests and truly select the capable. But now, we can't help but believe him, because everything is developing and approaching as planned by this old man step by step.
Additionally, there is good news. Both Wei Shihao and Hu Hetao mentioned that after defeating Indonesia and Bahrain, the team's morale is high, and everyone is full of confidence, believing they can successfully advance.
As fans, we must continue to support them, accompany them all the way to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and cheer for them continuously!