In the previously concluded U16 women's Asian Junior Third and Fourth Finals, 15-year-old Shaanxi girl Zou Mengyao killed Australia with a long-range shot 30 meters away to help the Chinese women's football team win the third place. Along with this "world wave", she is also remembered for her stubborn face that forced herself to hold back tears after losing to Japan and not winning the World Junior Championship. After half a month, Zou Mengyao accepted an exclusive interview with a reporter from the Beijing News, and when she mentioned the defeat again, she still couldn't help but choke.
World waves are the result of augmentation
"When the ball came to my feet, I guarded the goalkeeper standing forward, dialed it and shot." Although scoring such a beautiful long-range shot for the first time, Zou Mengyao recalled the process of scoring the goal very calmly.
Zou Mengyao hit the wonderful world wave.
After the game, some teammates joked that the ball was monty, but Zou Mengyao knew in his heart that the previous training was not in vain. "I've practiced long-range shooting before, and usually after training everyone else is gone, I ask a teammate to stay and practice shooting together." Zou Mengyao said that since the preparation for the Asian Junior Championship on August 20 this year, such additional training has lasted for more than a month.
This is Zou Mengyao's second goal after the group stage against South Korea. The Chinese team only scored 5 goals in the whole tournament, and Zou Mengyao took two of them. However, neither the goal nor the third-place result can make up for her regret of not winning the World Junior Championship.
In the semi-finals against Japan, zou Mengyao and his teammates held for 70 minutes in the final stage, but conceded two goals in the final stage. 'A 0-0 first half was hopeful. Speaking of this, Zou Mengyao choked up a little. From the dressing room to the bus back to the hotel after the game, no one in the team spoke and wept silently. That sense of repression Zou Mengyao still remembers vividly.
After losing to the Japanese team, Zou Mengyao was full of unwillingness.
After that game, Zou Mengyao stood on the sidelines and watched her opponent celebrate. She tried not to let the tears flow out, but the corners of her mouth were already trembling uncontrollably. This scene was captured by the broadcast camera, and the stubborn girl with the eyes full of reluctance was well known to the fans along with the foot "World Wave".
Take Shi Xiaomin as a benchmark
After the end of the third-place battle, Zou Mengyao stepped onto the bus and sat next to Shi Xiaomin as usual. The two smiled silently and gave each other a thumbs up. Before Zou Mengyao's long-range shot, it was Shi Xiaomin's header that equalized. Two Shaanxi provincial teammates flashed at the same time in a key battle.
Shi Xiaomin also scored against Australia. Photo: Chinese football team official Micro
In January 2016, Zou Mengyao and Shi Xiaomin entered the Shaanxi provincial team on their front and back feet. Before this, Shi Xiaomin was selected for the national team training camp coached by Zheng Maomei, and Zou Mengyao's experience in the national brand at this time was still zero.
"At that time, I thought Shi Xiaomin was very strong, and every time he came back from the national team, he had a long ball." Seeing Shi Xiaomin's progress, Zou Mengyao's vision for the national team is increasing day by day, "After that, I trained harder, that is, I wanted to reach a level with Shi Xiaomin." ”
In February 2016, the Shaanxi provincial team won the third place at the National U14 Women's Spring Championship, and Zou Mengyao, who had outstanding performance, was selected for the national team training camp for the first time after the performance, accompanied by Shi Xiaomin and other four teammates.
"When I went there, I found that there were many people who played very well, all at the same level as Shi Xiaomin." Zou Mengyao's initial experience of the national brand was not successful, and it was brushed off after several training sessions. For the next two years, she was selected for the training camp every year, but never once stood out to enter the selection team.
Zou Mengyao said that in the most difficult times, Shi Xiaomin, who is one year older, always encourages herself like a sister. "Every time I come back from a country boy, she will comfort me and say, 'It's okay, next time there will be a chance.'" Years later, the two still encourage each other in the national team and find each other's problems.
Bench time thanks to Director Chen
It is the gold that always shines, and two years of continuous efforts have made Zou Mengyao a regular visitor to the national team. Last October, she participated in the training camp of the U16 national team in Xianghe and was selected for the 26ers' Spanish training roster. However, just the day before departure, Zou Mengyao was told that there was a problem with the visa. "I cried very badly at that time, thinking that it was not easy to be in such a good state, to be able to play from the bench to the main force, but the only hope was erased."
Missing out on Spanish training also became a turning point in Zou Mengyao's state. Since then, she has participated in overseas training, but has not regained her previous state. She almost sat on the bench while in Japan, and when she was struggling to get close to the main force in France, she strained her thigh again. "Just like tourism," Zou Mengyao described as the confusion of that time.
Zou Mengyao sat firmly in the position of the main force of the U16 women's football team. Photo/ Oriental IC
During the French training period, Chen Wanting, who was still the assistant coach of the national team at the time, gave Zou Mengyao a lot of care. "When practicing passing and receiving the ball on the sidelines, Director Chen pays close attention to the mood of our substitutes and will often encourage us." Returning from France, when the new coach Villa was not familiar with the situation, it was Chen Wanting who handed the main vest to Zou Mengyao.
In July this year, Chen Wanting officially became the coach of the U16 women's football team, and Zou Mengyao sat firmly in the main force. Before the start of the Asian Junior Championship, Chen Wanting called Zou Mengyao to talk, "Maybe I know that it was not easy for me to play from the bench to the main force before, but what Director Chen said the most was to make me confident." In the first game against South Korea, Zou Mengyao repaid Chen Wanting's trust with a goal.
"The first time I've met such a gentle coach. She usually doesn't get angry, but encourages us more, which makes us feel very comfortable. Recalling the 5 months of working with Chen Wanting, Zou Mengyao was full of gratitude and reluctance.
I want to stand on the highest podium
In July this year, at a launch conference held by a certain brand to help the Chinese women's football team, Zou Mengyao wore a pink skirt and appeared on the catwalk with Wang Shuang, Gu Yasha, Peng Shimeng and Wu Haiyan.
Although he often plays outside on behalf of the national brand, it is the first time for Zou Mengyao to appear in front of the public with such a fashionable style. Recalling the scene at that time, Zou Mengyao was still a little shy, "At that time, I wanted to drill into the seam and didn't want anyone to see me." ”
Zou Mengyao appeared at the event site. Photo/Visual China
The first contact with Wang Shuang, Wu Haiyan, the big sister of the adult national team, Zou Mengyao felt cordial and enthusiastic. Zou Mengyao said that one of the sisters' actions made her feel very warm, "After walking on the stage, there were many people who came to take a group photo backstage, and I was particularly embarrassed to sit next to it, but Sister Haiyan and Sister Wang Shuang took the initiative to ask me to take a picture together." ”
During Wang Shuang's stay in Yang, Zou Mengyao has been paying attention to her dynamics. Although she has not considered staying in the West at present, she said that if she has the opportunity, she is more willing to go to the United States, "because the American women's football team is very strong, and this World Cup has won the championship." And the last time I trained in the United States, I felt that their women's football atmosphere was great. ”
Half a month before the press conference, Zou Mengyao also met Sun Wen when filming the poster of the event, and being able to communicate with the representatives of the two generations of Chinese women's football is also an inspiration for the young Zou Mengyao. Speaking of the future, Zou Mengyao hopes to develop to a higher place like Wang Shuang and Sun Wen, "It is best to represent the Chinese team on the world's highest podium." ”
□ ask quickly and answer quickly
Beijing News: Who is the football idol?
Zou Mengyao: De Bruyne. Because he also plays in the front, the rhythm control and passing the ball is very good, and I watched a lot of videos of his matches while in Thailand.
Beijing News: Idols other than football?
Zou Mengyao: I liked Deng Lun before.
Beijing News: What do you do when you don't play football?
Zou Mengyao: Play games, such as glory of kings, eat chicken, and live football.
Beijing News: Will you take the time to dress yourself?
Zou Mengyao: No, I will engage in bangs.
Beijing News: What kind of person do you want to become in the future?
Zou Mengyao: A person who knows how to be grateful and honest.
Beijing News reporter Xu Xiaofan
Edited by Zhang Yunfeng Proofreader Li Xiangling