Tomorrow will be an intense game," sebut Shao Jiayi.
Tim pelatih China memberikan perhatian khusus pada perubahan gaya bermain Thailand yang kini tampil lebih agresif, langsung, dan cepat berdasarkan analisis laga kontra Kuwait.
"They have displayed many ideas. Their style is more direct and faster than before," kata Shao Jiayi.
Meskipun menganggap Thailand bukan tim yang mustahil dikalahkan, ia tetap menginstruksikan pasukannya untuk menjaga fokus penuh selama laga berlangsung.
"I wouldn't say we are facing an extremely powerful opponent, but it is a match that must be taken seriously," ujar Shao Jiayi.
Terkait kebijakan rotasi pemain akibat jadwal yang padat, Shao Jiayi memastikan komitmennya untuk mengejar kemenangan dengan komposisi terbaik.
"I don't think those two things contradict each other," jelas Shao Jiayi.
Ia menjamin seluruh pilar yang dipanggil masuk ke dalam skuad memiliki kompetensi setara untuk bermain sejak menit pertama pertandingan.
"Everyone who can make the national team has the ability to start... For me, there are no friendlies when it comes to the national team.
Every match is important," ucap Shao Jiayi.
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Dalam kesempatan ini, beberapa talenta muda potensial turut dipanggil masuk ke skuad nasional setelah menunjukkan performa impresif di kompetisi domestik.
"The young players were selected based on their performances in the Chinese Super League," kata Shao Jiayi.
Shao Jiayi mengingatkan para talenta muda tersebut agar tidak cepat puas demi kelangsungan perkembangan karier sepak bola mereka di masa depan.
"They must remain humble and maintain a sense of hunger and dissatisfaction throughout their careers if they want to continue improving," tutur Shao Jiayi.
Selain itu, evaluasi mendalam dilakukan oleh jajaran pelatih menyusul kebobolan satu gol yang dialami China pada laga kontra Singapura.
"We made a very good summary after the last game," ujar Shao Jiayi.
