In 1995, at the age of 19, Qi Hong began to make a name for himself in football, and his precise footwork and keen awareness made him a key figure in the team in every game.
In the 21st century, his football career reached its peak, and in the 2001 World Cup qualifiers, he scored three goals in a row to help the Chinese national team enter the World Cup in history.
Once, he was a high-profile national hero, a man who galloped on the green field and won glory for the country, and now, as a football director with an annual salary of only 100,000 yuan, he quietly guides a group of teenagers on the sidelines of the football field. What is the story behind such a transformation?
In the summer of 1995, the contest between Shanghai Shenhua and South Korea's top clubs attracted countless eyeballs.
On the court, the cheers and cheers of the audience came and went, forming an exciting picture. Qi Hong, this young figure, is running on the field, and every touch of the ball seems to be full of strength and toughness.
The game reached a critical moment, and the two sides still did not give in to each other, and the scoreboard was still 0:0.
The tense atmosphere was like a heavy stone on everyone's heart, making the air at the scene become solemn. At this moment, Qi Hong received a precise pass from his teammate in the opponent's half, and he skillfully avoided the opponent's defense and quickly pushed forward.
Just as he was about to break through, he was tripped by one of the opposing defenders in a highly controversial move, and the referee blew the whistle decisively and awarded Shanghai Shenhua a free-kick in an excellent position.
The atmosphere on the stadium was instantly ignited, and the fans of Shenhua were excited, and they shouted Qi Hong's name loudly, and the sound echoed throughout the stadium.
The players of the opposing team surrounded the referee and tried to argue, but the referee's decision was irreversible. Shenhua's players formed a circle to discuss the best strategy for executing the free kick, while Qi Hong stood quietly beside the ball, looking firmly at the direction of the goal.
After a short discussion, the teammates retreated, leaving only Qi Hong standing in front of the ball. The audience on the sidelines waited with bated breath, and the air seemed to freeze at this moment.
The referee blew the whistle, Qi Hong took a few steps forward, and then volleyed hard. It was this free kick that successfully helped Fan Zhiyi score with a header.
Thunderous cheers erupted on the pitch, with Shenhua's fans celebrating wildly, while Qi Hong's teammates swarmed him up and threw him high in the air, as if he was above everything at that moment. Even the opponent has to admit that this goal is wonderful, and Qi Hong at this moment is undoubtedly the focus of the whole game.
After entering the new century, Qi Hong's football career has entered a new stage.
In 2001, he was no longer just against opponents in the domestic league, but on behalf of his country in the World Cup qualifiers.
This year, the pressure and expectations of the Chinese national team have been unprecedentedly high, and every game has touched the hearts of hundreds of millions of Chinese people.
At the critical moment of the qualifiers, Qi Hong showed incredible competitive form and ball skills.
Not only was he ubiquitous on the pitch, threatening with every touch and pass, but he also changed the course of the game with his actions when he needed it most.
In a match against a strong opponent, Qi Hong's performance was particularly good. In the first half of the game, the two sides went back and forth, fiercely arguing, but neither could break the deadlock.
Entering the second half, Qi Hong received a deep pass from his teammates, and in the face of the pressing opposing defenders, he skillfully took the ball, quickly adjusted his pace, and shot a low shot straight to the far corner of the goal.
In the subsequent game, Qi Hong once again proved his worth.
In a quick counter-attack, he received the ball from midfield, sprinted with the ball, faced the attack of two defenders, he used his superior skills to easily pass the opponent, and then fired a precise shot on the edge of the penalty area, the ball hit the bottom left corner of the goal like an arrow from the string, and once again extended the score for the Chinese team.
In the final stage of the match, Qi Hong completed his hat-trick. In a corner, he cleverly found space in the box and used a clever header to head the ball into the back of the net to seal the win.
These three goals not only showed Qi Hong's extraordinary skills and game wisdom, but also brought a historic moment for the Chinese national team - the first time to qualify for the World Cup.
When the referee blew the final whistle, the audience erupted in thunderous cheers. The players of the Chinese team hugged each other and cried, and Qi Hong also became the focus of the whole game surrounded by his teammates. Fans waved the national flag and sang the national anthem to celebrate the moment.
On October 12, 2010, the autumn breeze was cool and the sun was shining, Qi Hong stood on the sideline of the football field, his eyes passed through the green field, and he commanded the players in training. This scene is very different from the image he used to have as a player sprinting on the field.
He is now the assistant coach of the Chinese women's football team, and also co-founded the "Lucky Star" football club with former Shenhua teammate Shen Si, and also serves as the general manager. Here, he is committed to cultivating young football talents, hoping to bring fresh blood to Chinese football.
On an ordinary training day, several uniformed police officers appeared at the door of the club, walked directly to Qi Hong, who was coaching on the sidelines of the training ground, and handed him a summons book.
This sudden scene made the atmosphere on the sidelines suddenly tense. Qi Hong took the summons book, and his eyes revealed complex emotions. At that moment, a past that he had tried his best to bury resurfaced in his mind.
Back in 2003, in the final game of the A-League that year, Qi Hong and his teammates were involved in a football turmoil. In that game, they were accused of accepting bribes and deliberately losing to help Tianjin TEDA survive relegation.
The incident quickly shocked the entire Chinese football community, with unprecedented media and public attention, and Qi Hong and his teammates involved became the focus of public opinion.
The investigation confirmed the allegation, and Qi Hong and several other team members were found guilty, with Qi Hong sentenced to five years and six months in prison and a lifetime ban from the Football Association.
This turmoil is not only a major blow to Qi Hong's personal career, but also a great impact on his life path. Overnight, from a national hero to an accused criminal, Qi Hong experienced a low point in his life that he had never experienced before.
Qi Hong was in prison, far away from the football field that once made his blood boil, and he also lost the opportunity to continue to develop in the football world.
The moment Qi Hong walked out of the prison gate, he was greeted by a strange and familiar world. The former football superstar is now forced to draw an eternal distance from professional football due to a lifetime ban.
Faced with the sudden end of his career and the uncertainty of the future, Qi Hong experienced a long period of confusion and struggle.
Football, a career that has supported him through countless ups and downs and brought him glory and dreams, seems to have lost his chance overnight.
It was during this low period that a glimmer of hope loomed.
His old friend, who was also a former team-mate who played side by side on the field, reached out. This friend not only provided moral support, but also found a new job opportunity for Qi Hong to become the training director of a youth football training school.
Although this job is far from the glory he once had on the international stage, with an annual salary of only 100,000 yuan, far less than his income as a professional player, for Qi Hong, it is a great comfort and happiness to be able to stand on the football field again, even as a coach.
At the Youth Football Training School, Qi Hong has devoted almost all of his energy to the training of these future stars.
Every day, he trains with his students, teaching everything from basic skills to tactical applications.
Although there is no fierce competition in the professional leagues and the shouts of thousands of spectators, Qi Hong feels unprecedented satisfaction and happiness watching these children improve day by day under his guidance.
In February 2023, a special youth football league is in full swing, which not only attracts many children who love football, but also brings Qi Hong, a former football superstar, back to everyone's field of vision.
As an on-the-spot coach, 47-year-old Qi Hong stood on the sidelines, observing every detail on the court with sharp eyes, guiding the youth team he was responsible for.
This is the first time Qi Hong has returned to the football field in an official capacity since he was released from prison, and this moment means a lot to him. Although he is no longer wearing the player's jersey, but the coach's uniform, being able to stand on this green field again and feel the passion and tension of the game is undoubtedly a long-lost sense of belonging and satisfaction for Qi Hong.
After the game started, Qi Hong was engrossed in the role.
He sometimes walks around the sidelines, directing the team's tactical set-up, and sometimes stands quietly, watching every movement of his opponents.
Whenever a member of the team executes his tactical intentions or shows excellent teamwork on the field, Qi Hong will give encouragement and guidance.
Even in the face of mistakes, he can always patiently analyze the problem and point out the direction of improvement.
The children on the field are full of energy and passion, they may not fully understand Qi Hong's glory in football, but they can feel the focus and enthusiasm from this coach.
Qi Hong's guidance is not only technical, but also conveys a spirit, an indomitable and courageous football spirit.
After the game, no matter what the result is, Qi Hong will high-five and hug every team member, thanking them for their efforts and dedication. The smiling faces and sweat of these children are his most precious reward.
On this stage, Qi Hong has found his own value and position, although he is no longer a player, but as a coach, he is able to pass on his love and understanding of football to the next generation, and this job has given him the courage and strength to start anew.
My favorite player——Qi Hong[J].Sports Time and Space,2001(10):14-14