Grasshoppers' Lee Lei on track for Asian Cup after eye-catching performance
In the early morning of March 4, the 24th round of the Swiss Super League came to an end, with Grasshoppers defeating Lugano 1-2 at home. Chinese player Li Lei started as the team's debut and became the highlight of the team by fighting all over the field. It was his debut in the Eredivisie, and he motivated himself on social media after the match.
It is reported that given that Li Lei is at a crucial stage of his stay in China, the Chinese team may allow him to delay his reunion with the team so that he can play for Grasshoppers against Basel before moving to West Asia for the last two rounds of the Top 12.
Despite the Grasshoppers' home loss on March 4, Chinese fans found solace in Li Lei's performance. He made his first start and played the entire game, earning a 6.8 rating from the foreign media after the match. His scoring in the team is at a high level.
In fact, Li Lei has always remained calm about whether he can make his debut. He has said, "Even if it's only 10 minutes, every minute is worth cherishing when you can play." In the mid-February game, he came on as a substitute and assisted his teammate to score in only 2 minutes. Li Lei is making steady progress on his way to stay in the world, and his debut was due to his hard work and strong mental qualities.
After the game, Li Lei wrote on social media platforms, "The road is still long, keep working hard. Don't forget to look up and forward when it's difficult. Cheer up!" In a foreign country, he used this to motivate himself and keep charging.
According to the new training notice of the Chinese national team, six overseas players, including Li Lei, should arrive in the United Arab Emirates on March 17 to meet the team and prepare for the Top 12 matches in late March. Despite missing several matches of the 12-team tournament due to injuries, Li Lei has always responded to the call of the national team, even if he is not the main player, he still gives his best.
Grasshoppers will host Basel on the 20th local time. Li Lei's current form puts him in a strong position to continue competing for a starting spot in the team. With China not qualifying for the Qatar World Cup final, the team will be looking at the 2023 Asian Cup, and a new generation of players is inevitable. As a result, the coaching staff can be more flexible in selecting Li Lei, fully taking into account the actual situation of the players who stayed in the country. This means that Li Lei is likely to travel to West Asia to join the national team after the game on the 20th.
