Reporter Liu Xiangyu reported that before the start of the 2021 season, no one would have expected that Guoan would add fresh blood in the midfield, after all, the team has Augusto, Vieira, as well as Park Sung, Jang Si-chul and Chi Zhongguo, the strong midfield configuration is the most distinctive feature of Guoan in recent seasons, and it is precisely because of this that the addition of Gao Providence makes the outside world not optimistic about the prospects of the young general Guoan at first, although he has the identity of U23, but it is difficult for the team to vacate the position for him. However, as the game began, this view was gradually changed. There are many indications that Gao Providence not only has a place, but also will be one of the most important pawns of Guoan's new season.
With his brilliant performance in winter training, Gao Tianyi successfully "got on the top" and won the place of Guoan U23 starting, and in the following regular game, he partnered with Chi Zhongguo and Zhang Xizhe to occupy the starting midfield position. At the end of the season, Gao Tianyi handed over the data that 20 appearances, 20 all starters, averaging 86 minutes per game, and became the assist king of the Guoan team, completing a total of 4 assists.
When Augusto and Vieira left the team one after another, Park Sung and Ji Chung-kook were affected by injuries, and Jang Se-chul's state fluctuated, newcomer Ko Providence unexpectedly became the most stable player in the Guoan midfield. This tall midfielder has enough enthusiasm in defense, the offensive end also has a good aura, playing very mature and smart, and his repeated connections with Zhang Yuning have also helped Guoan score goals at key moments several times. On leaving the team, Bilic said, "Thank goodness we have found High Providence, he is the biggest discovery of Guoan this season. ”
Not long ago, Gao Tianyi was selected for the national team roster, completing a milestone in his personal career. After the league, the reporter conducted an exclusive interview with Gao Tianyi. He has a very calm and clear plan for his career, and he also believes that he has come to the right team at the right time, and the 2021 season is a year of qualitative change for him.
◆"Football": When did you hear about the selection for the national team?
Gao Tianyi: After a few matches in Guangzhou, the national team personnel contacted me and asked me to hand in my passport.
◆ When the news reached his ears, how was he feeling?
Definitely happy.
◆ Is there such a psychological preparation?
Not really. I didn't think much about it before, I just wanted to play every game well.
◆ Who will share this news for the first time?
Share it with my father. Because my passport happened to be at home, let him send it out for me. He was happy for me and told me to keep trying to play the rest of the game well and then be careful not to get hurt.
◆ What was the previous vision for the national team? For example, have you ever wondered when you will be able to enter the national team?
First of all, thank you Li Dao (Li Xiaopeng) for your trust in me, being selected for the national team has always been my dream as a player, but when I am selected has not set a clear time for myself, I think when I am competitive enough in the league, the national team coaching staff will definitely give you a chance.
◆ What does being selected for the training team mean for my entire career?
It is a small goal that has been achieved, but it also means that the usual training, the inside and outside of the field must be more strict with themselves, in order to be worthy of the title of international footballer.
◆ As a newcomer, what kind of goals and attitudes do you have to enter the national team training team this time?
Focus on learning and integrate into this team as soon as possible. After all, it is the first time to be selected, and it is necessary to get familiar with the seniors on the pitch as soon as possible and have a tacit understanding.
◆ There are many international players with great experience in the national security team, have they gone to learn from them?
I talked to Bao Ge (Yu Dabao), and he also gave me a lot of encouragement, let me boldly let go, and play the usual level in the team, without any problems, don't be nervous.
◆ What advice does the club have for you?
The club first congratulated me, and then hoped that I would train hard in the national team, play my own characteristics, and strive to win glory for the club.
◆ At the national team level, who is the target of their own learning?
I think there are too many examples for me to follow in this national team. First of all, from the coaches, most of them are players who have participated in the 2002 World Cup, and their experience and ability are something I need to learn for a long time. Then, on the team, there are Xi Ge (Wu Xi), the third brother (Arthur Junmin), then Chi Ge (Chi Zhongguo), and Zhe Ge (Zhang Xizhe), who have many years of experience in the national team and are also in a similar position. The intercontinental competition must be very different from the Chinese Super League competition, including intensity, rhythm and other aspects, so I need to understand and learn as soon as possible.
◆ In the national team you will face more fierce competition for positions, are you mentally prepared?
Football projects definitely have competition, there is competition to promote their own progress, I will put my mind at ease, because after all, it is the first time to enter this group, it is already a great honor for myself, I will train hard, try to stay, and enter the big list to play the World Preliminary Tournament in Japan.
◆ In this national team roster, in the same position, there is Yan Dinghao, who was born in 1998 like you, there have been fights between you, and what do you think about the competition between players of the same age?
I think this is a good thing, because like our age group, in fact, there were not many national teams selected before, and now everyone can come to the national team, whether it is for now, or for the Asian Cup in the next few years, the next World Preliminary Tournament, which is a good thing, because we will have to come up sooner or later, so we must improve ourselves as soon as possible.
◆ What do you think impressed the national team?
I think first of all, there must be some advantages in age, which can prepare for the future, technical and tactical, and may play well this season in Guoan's offensive organization and forward passing.
◆ "Football": If you have a perfect score of 100, how many points will you score yourself this season?
High Providence: 75 points. There were no higher points because there were no goals scored, and then there were slightly more yellow cards.
◆What was the most impressive match?
It was the first match in the league against Shenhua. After all, it was the debut for Guoan, there were also fans at that time, the whole atmosphere was still good, and the lineup of our team was still relatively neat in that game, with 4 foreign aides, so in all aspects of the intensity of the game, including the excitement and freshness of their own mentality, it was the best.
◆ Playing for Guoan for the first time, nervous?
Nervous but not, after all, I have played in the Chinese Super League for several years before, mainly to play my own characteristics and complete the team's demand for you in your position.
◆ In fact, Guoan did not play well in that game as a whole, and lost, but you let people see a light, and felt that you were mentally and physically fully prepared?
Yes, during the preseason, the preparation for the team is still relatively well prepared, and the integration is relatively fast.
◆ What is the best game to play yourself?
It should be the first leg of the Guangzhou Division against Shenzhen. I looked at the running data after the race, and the high-intensity running and sprinting distance of that race should have reached a new high for me. The high intensity reached more than 800 meters and nearly 900 meters, and the sprint run was also 400 meters fast, which was relatively high for me personally. Yes, plus that game sent An assist to Yuning (Zhang Yuning).
◆ What about the most regrettable game?
Also in the Guangzhou Division, the first leg of the match against Shandong Taishan, in the final stoppage time was killed by the opponent. We are single foreign aid, in fact, the game is not bad.
◆ At the beginning of the season, you talked about your goal in an interview, hoping to play more games this year, and now that the season is over, have you already achieved this goal well?
I think yes, except for the yellow card suspension, basically all the games were played. First of all, I must thank the coach for the trust I have and the recognition of my teammates on the field, and I am also lucky that there have been no injuries throughout the season, because such a dense game, if there is a little injury, it may miss several games.
◆ The system of national security is actually quite difficult to integrate, especially for newcomers, why did you integrate into it so quickly?
Because I prefer to pass down, like to control the ball, just Guoan is also this way of passing control, in addition to the teammates around me are also very strong, for me to play more handy, as long as I do a good job in this position, to ensure that there is no mistake, defense when not out of place on the line.
◆ When you were introduced, Guoan's midfield was very strong, there were Augusto, Vieira, and there were very good local players such as Jang Se-jeol, Park Sung, and Chi Chung-kook, as a young midfielder, why did you choose to come to such a competitive place?
Like you said, before signing the contract with Guoan, I also had a more hesitant mentality. Guoan has often watched the games in the past few years, and I know what level of midfield the team is, in fact, there will be some worries (I will not be able to play when I come), but before coming, Li Ming Li issued a very sincere invitation to me, and he also relayed to me the manager's opinion of me, saying that I made up my mind, no matter how to fight for this position.
◆ How is your role in Guoan's tactical system different from your previous role in the Jiangsu team?
In the Jiangsu team due to the relationship in the formation, I played more in the midfield on the side, may take the ball relatively less, and then run up and down needs more, and then come to Guoan, I can stand in a more central position, we also play three midfield, there are more teammates around, so it is relatively easier to pass.
◆ At the beginning of your joining Guoan, the outside world's impression of you was a defensive midfielder, but this year you also performed well in the offensive organization, was you originally good at attacking, or was it newly developed after that?
In fact, before I did not feel that I was a defensive midfielder, it may be more comprehensive, now it may have a slight advantage in attack, and defense is more dependent on enthusiasm to make up for some.
◆ How did you practice your physical fitness this year? I played intermittently every season before, and in my impression you played less games, and this year you played a lot of full-time games.
First of all, in the winter training and interval period, my physical reserves are still relatively good, the physical coach has laid out a very thoughtful plan for the team, maybe before (in the Jiangsu team) did not play so much, playing the whole field may feel that you can't do it, but after coming to Guoan, kicking and kicking, the physical fitness can gradually meet the requirements of the team. Physical fitness can be pulled out, plus may be younger, recovery is relatively fast.
◆ Bilic is now out of the team, talk about the influence this coach has had on you?
Mr. Bilic's influence on me was enormous. First of all, he took me to Guoan and gave me a lot of self-confidence, and then gave me patient guidance on and off the field. Most of the reasons why I have been able to perform this year are actually because of him, so I sincerely wish him all the best in the future.
◆ Do you think Bilic is a coach who dares to use young players?
He is definitely not the kind of coach who is reluctant to use young players, but he will think more thoughtfully in his use, and give young players a chance at the right time and in the right position, rather than blindly using them.
◆ Have bilic and you ever had some separate exchanges, and what words have impressed you more?
There are often individual exchanges, more around the problems that happen in each game, some personally I need to improve, he can always give me the right guidance, the right advice, and the next game can see the effect immediately, which proves that he is a good coach.
◆ Bilic demands more of your position responsibilities, or does it give you a lot of room to be more creative?
In fact, it still gives me the space and opportunity to create, when our team hits the opposing defensive zone three, we can boldly stuff the ball forward, and also let the forward and the forward boldly insert forward.
◆ You have 4 assists this season, 3 of which are for Zhang Yuning, how did the chemistry between the two of you train?
First of all, Yuning's running position is the top among the Chinese Super League players, he can always find a suitable and very threatening position, all I have to do is bypass the defender to send the ball to his feet, but if his final shot is not hit, the previous pass is useless, so the two of us can also be regarded as mutual achievements.
◆ Do you two communicate a lot in your daily lives?
Usually there is quite a lot of communication, because after all, it is similar in age, everyone has a good relationship, in fact, there will be many opportunities to send this kind of straight ball in training, based on ordinary training, it can also be made in the game.
◆ Sent so many assists to Zhang Yuning, did he thank you? For example, some practical actions.
He invited me to his house to eat something delicious (laughs). We also often review the dishes because we eat at the same table and often talk about some opportunities that we didn't seize on the field, and we also discuss how to handle it better next time.
◆ "Football": You just mentioned that this season is actually a bit of a lot of fouls, especially in the previous stage, there are cumulative yellow cards suspensions, is this a tactical requirement, or is it a problem of adapting to the team's playing style? How was it adjusted in the later period?
Providence Gao: It is true that there were too many fouls at the beginning of the season, it was not a tactical requirement, it may be that you feel that you have to fight every ball on the field as a young player, but you lack some skills, and the problem that comes with it is too many yellow cards. The total suspension is also irresponsible to the team, so the interval also reflects on this. Even the coach also gave advice, such as not to pounce on the defense at once or what, such as whether it is better to follow the opponent. These are still effective, and in the second stage of the competition in Guangzhou, the winning rate has indeed dropped a little.
◆ Is it easy to change your personal playing habits?
See what the habit is. Basic skills, technical actions, kicked for so many years, it is not very good to change it all at once, but this kind of defensive action, position selection, as long as there is this thing in your head, you may be easier to change.
◆ The feeling you give me should be the kind of player who plays football with his brain and does not play football, has it always been this style?
Yes, most of the time I'm still willing to think about playing football.
◆ Is this also the case in life?
Is more willing to think.
◆ I heard that you will practice on your own after each training?
Right. Because in 2021, under such an intensive schedule, three days a game, the amount of training of our team's starting players is not very large, mainly to adjust, may sometimes lack some, you need to move a little more, which is no harm.
◆ What are you practicing?
Because the game is more dense, it is not suitable for too large shots, long passes, ah, because the muscles also need to rest, I will choose to flip the ball with my teammates, two feet, change the left and right feet, see who makes mistakes, this is to practice the ball sense, it is also helpful on the field.
◆ Is it Wang Ziming who has been bouncing balls with you? I heard that the two of you are often together.
My relationship with Ziming is really good, after I came to Guoan, he is also helping me integrate into the team, we will often joke, after training in the room he will also make me tea to drink, and then we review the game together.
◆ He was also selected for the national team this time
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I also congratulated him. Hope we go in together and work together.
◆ In the year of national security, how do you evaluate this collective?
I had a very good time. Everyone took very good care of me, and then there was a lot of positive energy in the team, and everyone in the training and the game was all going their best.
◆ As far as I am concerned, is this year a qualitative change in my career?
I think it can be counted, because compared to previous seasons, this season is more successful in terms of the number of appearances and contributions to the team, including finally entering the national team.
◆ Have you ever thought about playing football in the future when there are guoan fans in the workers' stadium, are you the kind of person who comes crazy?
It can be said that because I don't think I am the kind of player who is afraid of the stage, and the game with fans will be more exciting, so I am very much looking forward to the day when the new sports are built in the future, and I will work the field with the fans.
◆ Your 2021 Guoan No. 15, Tao Wei's previous number, is also considered a legacy?
I've had pretty good luck this year, just missing a goal.
◆ Which goals and assists do you prefer?
I enjoy the assist process more, but I also want to score goals, goals are my next goal, which requires more practice shooting in winter training, there are no shortcuts, and you can't do without the number of practices you have.
◆ Isn't it a bit of a shame that I didn't play more football with Augusto and Vieira?
Unfortunately, I've never been a teammate with Augusto on the pitch, and I've only played a few games with Vieira, but those games have been very useful and I really enjoy playing with him.
◆"Football": When playing against Shenhua, you played against Wu Xi, a former teammate of the Jiangsu team, to talk about the past between you and Wu Xi?
Gao Tianyi: When I first arrived at the Jiangsu team in 2017, when Cui Longzhu Cui was coaching, he let me sit at a table with Xi Ge during the meal, let Xi Ge help me more, and then in the Jiangsu team for 4 years, Xi Ge gave me a lot of help on and off the field, and now when I get to the national team, there are many places to learn from Xi Ge.
◆ Did the original members of your Jiangsu team get together some time ago?
Yes, almost everything that can come is coming. Everyone has a very good relationship together, just like the feeling when we were all in the same team, and everyone's feelings are very good.
◆ You are a tall midfielder, who are your goals and templates?
I used to prefer midfielders in Spain's golden age, such as Xavi. Recently, I have admired three midfielders in Croatia: first of all, Modric, who is so old, still maintains a very high level of attack, and our head coach Bilic also mentioned him to us, saying that he is a very professional player; and then there is Rakitic, the assistant coach of our team once told me that my style of playing football is actually quite similar to his, so that I can usually watch more of his game videos; and then there is Kovacic, he is also very comprehensive, technical, physical confrontation ability is very strong, Now he is playing very well at Chelsea.
◆ I don't think you are very afraid of physical confrontation, and even sometimes you go to find a confrontation?
Just played in the Chinese Super League for two years, you may still be reluctant to fight, and then found that if you want to meet the requirements of the team, you must have a physical confrontation, only when the confrontation comes up, you can be an excellent and qualified midfielder.
◆ Did Bilic communicate with you any more before he left?
After getting the news that he was leaving, I also sent him a text message thanking him and wishing him all the best in the future. He also told me a few words, he said that you played really well in 2021, but in the football world, yesterday is not counted, he said you must look back, to continue your state, to continue to improve.
◆ In 2021, you are still a U23 player, this year is not, are you ready for the transformation of identity?
I feel that after the year of 2021, I can say with confidence that I am ready to compete in these positions, including the challenge that requires me to take on more responsibility in the team.
◆ You have stayed in the Ocean before, how do you think about the topic of staying in the Ocean now? Li Lei has just left, and the Chinese Football Association is promoting young players to stay in the Ocean.
First of all, Lei Ge is indeed very admirable, at this time to choose to stay in the Ocean, he jumped out of the original comfort zone, in the current epidemic situation at home and abroad, going out to stay in the Ocean is very admirable.
For me, I always have ideas in my heart, because when I was 17 years old, I also returned to China with some regrets, I think I must choose the right time to stay in Yang in the future, and now I still hope to strengthen my ability in all aspects, play more high-level games, after gaining a firm foothold in China, and then go to Europe, so after going, the coach let you play because your ability can really help the team, not to say that it may be just because you are a Chinese player.
In the future, I will certainly not give up any opportunity to stay in the Ocean, and I will bravely challenge when I have the right opportunity, and I will not leave regrets for myself. In fact, when I was a teenager studying football in Spain, my dream was to play in La Liga one day in the future, and I would fight for it in the future.