Hu Hetao: The journey of the national football team has made me more confident

Reporter Lu Mi reports 2024 will be a year of rapid growth for Hu Hetao. In the second half of the Chinese Super League, he had a very good performance, especially in the match between Chengdu Rongcheng and Qingdao West Coast, and it was his goal that helped the team to lock up the third place in the league. At the national team level this year, Hu Hetao was not only selected for the round of 18 squad in October, but also got the opportunity to start.

After the end of the tournament, we reached out to Hu Hetao, who was taking a short break to recuperate, and asked him to reflect on the wonderful season.

◆Football: The team has already reached next season's AFC Champions League, in that game against Qingdao West Coast, you were the one who scored the decisive goal, how much was that goal worth to you?

Hu Hetao: That goal was probably the most important goal of my career so far. In the past two years, we have been one step away from qualifying for the AFC Champions League, and this year we have been moving towards that goal, which can be said to be a goal that can directly seal the qualification for the AFC Champions League, and it is also the result of my hard work and that of the team over the past year.

◆After that game, how did head coach Xu Zhengyuan celebrate with everyone? Coming back and hearing the cheers of thousands of fans at the airport, what do you want to say the most?

If it was any game in the middle of the league, Xu would have been excited to celebrate with us, but he wasn't really happy with that game because we drew 1-1 and he wanted a complete win. However, he expressed great recognition for our dedication throughout the season, including the achievement of the AFC Champions League, and he is also very pleased. I returned to Chengdu from Qingdao that night, it was very late, and when I got off the plane, I saw thousands of fans waiting for us at the airport, and I was deeply moved when I heard everyone shouting "Xiongqi" in unison, because entering the AFC Champions League is not only the goal of our team, but also the desire of the fans.

◆What was your own mental journey like during this process?

I didn't think too much about it myself, just like in previous seasons, like the year we were promoted, we just played every game, the whole team was very united, and no one expected us to finish fifth.

◆Looking back on the whole process, do you think that Chengdu Rongcheng's 2024 season in the AFC Champions League is an inevitable result?

It's not that it's inevitable, it's just that everyone does their job, from our coaching staff to the players, to every staff member, from beginning to end, to fight for the final result of the AFC Champions League, including every shout from the fans, I think it's a natural result.

◆Compared to the previous season, when the team was not so wealthy, this year the team has not won against the top five teams before, and then won Shanghai Port, does it mean a lot to you?

It's a sure thing that we all had to work hard in the break before that game, and the coaching staff analysed countless scenarios about the opposition. In the race, we also put our run and the desire to win is very strong. Maybe this year, everyone will say, how the personnel are stronger than before, and the strong team is not as good as the previous two years. In fact, in the past two years, we have a different mentality in the face of strong teams, and we regard ourselves more as a challenger to challenge our opponents and fight for opponents. I think that game was more about seeing the positive side of the team itself.

◆Chengdu Rongcheng once dominated the championship pattern, how did Lao Xu mobilize you before the Shanghai Shuangxiong?

It is also very difficult for us to influence the championship pattern, and Coach Xu constantly emphasized to us that we should not look at the situation, the situation has nothing to do with us, we must focus on ourselves and our opponents, and have the courage to play our own style in the face of two strong teams. also summed up his own shortcomings when he played them in the first round, and prepared for the final battle in a more targeted manner.

◆In this process, you really feel the growth of the team, right?

First of all, we took stock of the shortcomings of the first two seasons and finished each game with a lot of focus throughout the season. The second is the recruitment of the club this year, which has brought about a boost in all positions, and we feel that it is time to win this qualification.

◆Football: What is your vision for the AFC Champions League?

Hu Hetao: I didn't expect my first AFC Champions League season to come so soon. For example, there are many players my age in Japan and South Korea who are already the main players of the club and national team, and I want to give myself a chance to learn and practice and gain more experience in high-level competitions by playing against them.

◆In the first year of playing in the Chinese Super League, you stood out, and the outside world gave you high praise, what kind of vision did you have for your career at that time?

It's a good thing that people have expectations for me, and it's always pushed me to work hard. I thought it would be better if I didn't have the U23 policy of starting and I could still play and play consistently in the Super League.

◆Last year, you spent most of your time training at the national brand and the chances of playing in the league became very rare, what do you think was the most difficult part during that time?

The most difficult thing is that I didn't play at the club anymore, and I gradually got out of the feeling of playing, including not being in good shape during training, and I felt that I couldn't mobilize myself. At that time, I would be a little more anxious, but after a long period of adjustment, I also felt that maybe it was not a bad thing, and I had a lot of space to think about something.

◆During that time, in the few opportunities to play, your performance did not meet your previous expectations, what did head coach Xu Zhengyuan tell you?

Coach Xu has always been very strict with me, and will often ask us to practice, so that we can understand our shortcomings, and then improve them in a targeted manner. As I mentioned earlier, I also have some thoughts myself, that is, when there is no game, learn more from the players on the field, learn how to deal with different situations, and how to be more reasonable.

◆When you came back on the pitch this year, the competition in the team was fierce, how did you overcome the objective difficulties?

This year's state is actually very good, a team to improve and improve, this kind of competition is very necessary, otherwise staying in this position, I can't see what I am not doing well. For a young player like me, it's an opportunity, if you work hard in training and take advantage of the opportunity to perform well, you can get the coach's affirmation, and you will have follow-up opportunities.

◆When your performance is recognized again, what do you feel like you've matured in the process?

Maybe people see that I didn't have any competitions last year, and they will talk about training camps or something, but in fact, I don't think that way in my own heart, training camps are not a bad thing, and I have learned more about them. In this process, I psychologically have a good response to the outside world's statements, including my own mentality and the ups and downs of my state. I think it's important to recognize yourself and see the good in everything.

◆What are some of the most memorable moments of the season?

Wouldn't it be nice to boast about yourself (laughs)? There were a lot of moments, and this season itself was a memorable one, and all I can think about now are my two goals and the assist for Ackerson. If I have to say that it was the ball against Qingdao, not long ago, I still take it out from time to time to look at it.

◆Football: When you first received a call-up to the national team, did you ever think that you would soon get a chance to start?

Hu Hetao: When I was first drafted, I was very happy, because it was the first time I was so close to my ultimate dream, and I was very excited all the way. Later on, when I met the team, I started to get nervous, first of all, I didn't know the other players very well, and I was worried that I was not doing something right. But after contact, I found that everyone was very kind and tolerant to me. Of course, the starting opportunity was really unexpected.

◆Was that game against Australia nervous?

I didn't know I was going to start until I was in the pre-match meeting, and I was still very nervous at that moment, including when I was warming up, when I was in the tunnel and my legs were shaking. But when I actually got on the field, I didn't feel anything, I just put my heart and soul into it.

◆After your debut in the national football team, Mutalifu posted a Weibo to support you and encourage you, what do you think of the friendship between you?

There was encouragement to me, Muta was my partner in the first team and my roommate. Seeing his encouragement to me, I feel very warm in my heart and I am very grateful for his support for me all the time.

◆What was the biggest takeaway from your trip to the national team?

The biggest gain is that I have obviously gained a lot of confidence after returning to the league. In addition, I have met a lot of excellent players with the national football team, experienced fierce confrontations, and learned a lot from them. I think I still have a lot of room to grow in the future, and I have more motivation to move forward.

◆The list of the new national team, this time it is not a supplementary recruitment, it is a direct recruitment of you, do you think, this is the biggest affirmation of your season?

It's not convenient for me to have any comments on my national team debut, but I feel that being called up this time should be the biggest affirmation of my overall performance this year, including my last trip to the national team. From the bottom of my heart, this affirmation is very important, and I cherish this opportunity.

◆Through these three years of professional experience, do you feel that you have what it takes to be a good player?

I don't think it's quite enough, whether it's last year's lack of competitions or this year's big breakthrough, I'm clearly aware that I have a lot of shortcomings. For example, the understanding of the game needs to be accumulated by more games, and I don't think it is enough at the moment. Secondly, it was a transition under high-intensity confrontation, and my control of the ball was still poor, including my physical fitness, after all, I still suffered a little when facing stronger opponents.

◆What kind of requirements will you have for yourself in the future?

Of course, I want to be in better shape year by year, and now I am in an upward trend, so I want to maintain this momentum and strive for better development. Of course, the club has also said that if our players are willing to go abroad, they will also support it, and I hope that there will be such opportunities in the future.