August 19 – Following Auckland City’s advancement to the semi-finals of the New Zealand Cup, Chinese player Zhou Tong shared some of his thoughts via social media.
After the match, Chinese player Zhou Tong wrote on social media, “Yesterday was the club’s 20th anniversary celebration, as well as the semi-final of the New Zealand Cup. After a grueling 120-minute battle in the rain, we eventually overcame our opponents in extra time and advanced to the final.”
Zhou Tong mentioned, “After the game, I saw the 75-year-old club chairman silently collecting trash on the sidelines, and other founders lifting goalposts and selling beer in the rain, serving the club with their sons and grandsons. This filled my heart with respect and emotion. In terms of how one conducts oneself and the original spirit of sports, I believe that their dedication and contributions only serve to enrich the soul!”
Furthermore, Zhou Tong wrote, “Over these past years, I’ve seen too many arenas of fame and fortune, where the bubble of the golden era can burst at any moment! Reflecting on past scenes and comparing them to the current sense of fulfillment and selfless dedication, especially from these founders who were already financially secure, evokes a deep sense of awe towards us, the ‘amateur’ teammates.”
Finally, Zhou Tong summarized, “Not everything needs to be measured by fame and wealth. Just like most Olympic champions in New Zealand are not professional athletes. A new week begins, with some rambling thoughts. The good news is that my son turned five yesterday, and we advanced. The bad news is that as my son grows, I’m getting older, and my calf muscles are tightening up again. I will focus on recovery and strive to be ready for the final.”
