Once the interview footage reached China, it caused an immediate stir.
Kai's line — "Being weaker doesn't mean we're destined to lose" — struck a chord far beyond the football community.
Fans and non-fans alike felt something shift. His words were firm, unapologetic, and carried a confidence Chinese football hadn't projected in a long time.
Even CCTV's evening news picked it up, dedicating a segment to his remarks — a clear sign of how influential the moment had become.
Before long, "Kai" and "Being weaker doesn't mean we're destined to lose" climbed to the top of trending lists across major Chinese platforms.
For most Chinese fans, looking at the global football landscape, China was still objectively a weaker side, but as Kai said, being weak doesn't make you a loser.
Losing the will to fight does.
Inspired by the interview, fans rallied with newfound passion and expectation. June 13th — Beijing time — suddenly felt as if it couldn't arrive soon enough.
Meanwhile, national teams from around the world continued arriving in Brazil and settling into their designated host cities.
In Cuiabá, Chinese and Chilean supporters flooded the streets, turning the entire area into a sea of red, yellow, and blue.
To keep things orderly, the local government separated the city into two designated fan zones, reducing unnecessary contact and minimizing the chance of conflict.
With days to spare before kickoff, Chinese fans used the opportunity to explore Brazil.
For many, this trip was something they would never have taken if not for the World Cup — and they were making the most of it.
Brazil, being a football nation, embraced them warmly. Residents connected easily with the visiting Chinese fans, and no incidents occurred.
The same couldn't be said for certain other supporters.
British fans — a group often associated with rowdier behavior — proved difficult to manage.
Recently, close to 60 percent of all fans deported for fighting were English supporters.
Their fighting skills might not have impressed the police much, but their talent for provoking trouble was unmatched.
It was relentless.
Naturally, the Cuiabá police held deep appreciation for the far more cooperative Chinese and Chilean fans. If they had their way, English hooligans would never set foot in the region again.
Training sessions for the Chinese national team were limited to two hours per day:
One and a half hours of high-intensity drills, followed by half an hour of running and conditioning.
Despite the short duration, the workload was essentially match-level. Maintaining form was the priority, and the players trained with remarkable hunger — as if fully committed to the goal Kai had voiced.
Initially, only Kai was out jogging in the early mornings.
Wang Yi and Guo Liang joined him the next day.
By the third morning, more players followed Kai's routine.
Now, the entire squad was up at 6 a.m., taking part in morning exercises together.
Their diets were also handled meticulously. Each player received an individualized meal plan tailored to his physical needs.
Kai, with his large frame and heavy workload, required significantly more calories than anyone else. His food portions were several times larger.
During this period, even young Ouyang Fei asked to copy Kai's routine — extra training and modified meals to build his physique.
He was immediately stopped by the coaching staff and scolded harshly by head coach Liu Hongbo.
Stability was the priority.
With the World Cup underway, unnecessary experimentation was unacceptable.
On June 10th, officials from the Football Association arrived for an inspection. Only Liu Hongbo met with them, but the team received brief words of encouragement.
At one point, the visiting leader rambled long enough that Liu gently nudged him — a quiet reminder to keep it short.
Later, Kai learned that the official was Li Kangyang, chairman of the Chinese Football Association, and once Liu Hongbo's prized student. Li had played professionally before an early injury forced him into coaching, where he eventually rose through the youth system all the way to the top of the FA.
June 11th — Brazilian time — the second-to-last day before the match.
Liu Hongbo gathered the team again, repeating tactics and going over the match plan detail by detail. They had drilled these scenarios many times, yet his tone remained tense — a sign of how much he cared.
Oddly, he gave Kai very few instructions.
Kai even asked the assistant coaches what his specific responsibilities should be.
But Liu Hongbo simply said, "Play your game. Follow your instincts."
The answer stunned Kai.
At Arsenal, Wenger always outlined his role clearly — when to hold, when to push forward, what phases required caution, and where he could take risks. It wasn't until recently that his leash was removed.
This time, he was being given complete freedom.
Liu Hongbo didn't give him any of those detailed instructions. Instead, he simply told Kai to figure things out for himself. That freedom felt refreshing, yet it also left Kai wrestling with uncertainty.
The truth was, Liu Hongbo himself wasn't entirely sure how to use Kai.
He had studied Kai's matches and understood his profile on paper, but the two hadn't worked together long enough for him to confidently map out Kai's full capabilities. And more importantly, this was the first time he'd ever coached a true midfield conductor like Kai.
When he didn't have someone like that, he thought about it constantly. But now that he suddenly did, he found himself worried.
He felt that giving Kai too many instructions would only tie him down. Better to let him play freely—let him read the match, make decisions, and bring his own ideas to the pitch.
The coaching staff fully supported this approach.
After all, they weren't sure how to use Kai either.
...
June 12th, Brazilian time.
From the early morning hours, Brazil was buzzing with a feverish excitement.
In just eight hours, the 2014 FIFA World Cup would officially kick off.
From that moment, a tense atmosphere settled over every national team. It was obvious to the naked eye.
Some players were hit with pre-match anxiety—cold hands, shaky legs, unfocused play, even bouts of vomiting or diarrhea. It's something everyone goes through before a tournament of this size.
The Chinese team handled it better than most.
But Ouyang Fei, the young winger, looked completely worn out. His eyes were bloodshot, and dark circles hung beneath them.
During training, Kai walked over with a laugh.
"Did you not sleep for days?"
Ouyang Fei forced a smile. "I tried. I'm just too nervous."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Nervous about what? You're not even a starter. We're still not sure if you'll even get minutes."
pfft—
It was like someone stabbed Ouyang Fei straight through the chest.
"Brother Kai, that's… not really comforting…"
Kai chuckled, patted him on the shoulder.
"Relax. Just follow the plan. We'll get the win."
"Mm!" Ouyang Fei nodded instantly.
Kai had that kind of presence—calm, firm, and grounding. When everyone else was tense, Kai was the one burning with confidence and purpose. Being around him felt energizing, and Ouyang Fei couldn't help but cling to that sense of security.
"Ouyang Fei! Go to sleep!"
Assistant coach Zhang Chen marched over, eyeing the young player's pale face.
"Your mental game is weak! If you actually get subbed on, I'm not even sure you'll be able to stand properly."
Ouyang Fei panicked.
"I—I can play! Really!"
Zhang Chen snorted. "Then go sleep!"
Ouyang Fei muttered, "I'll sleep tonight. If I don't, the jet lag's gonna hit me again…"
Zhang Chen thought a moment, then nodded.
"Fine. Keep it light today. After the opening ceremony tonight, go straight to bed."
"But… but I want to watch Brazil vs. Croatia…"
Zhang Chen shot him a glare so sharp that Ouyang Fei froze on the spot.
Kai couldn't help laughing as he watched the exchange. Then he tilted his head toward the sky. Over in São Paulo, more than a thousand kilometers away, the opening match atmosphere was probably already at full throttle.
The sky above Cuiabá was bright and cloudless.
Kai curled his fingers into a fist.
He knew exactly what was coming.
The World Cup was here.
...
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