For Zhou Liao, his limited appearances with Tianjin TEDA over the years have raised questions. Why hasn’t he seen more time on the pitch? With coach Uli Stielike planning to adopt a two-striker system in the new season, Zhou might finally get his chance. But how does he feel about it?
“All I can say is I’ll give it my all and try to perform at my best in the Chinese Super League,” Zhou responded. “No one knows what the future holds. Maybe I’ll score a lot of goals, or maybe things won’t go as planned. I can’t predict it. I just want to do my best.”
When asked about his New Year’s resolution, Zhou gave a determined answer: “By this time next year, I want people to see a brand-new version of me — a different Zhou Liao.” He admitted that being benched or left off the matchday squad can have a negative impact, even on a player’s training attitude. “There are some things you only truly understand once you’ve been through them. Right or wrong, I now treasure every single training session.”
Crickex App notes that Zhou hasn’t been without opportunities. One unforgettable moment was a match against Beijing Guoan years ago, where he famously missed a series of golden chances — an event many saw as a turning point in his career. “Maybe for the coaches and the fans, that one game defined me,” he reflected. “But honestly, it wasn’t just that match. There were many games where I failed to seize the moment.”
For Zhou, it’s always come down to mentality. “Back when I played for the national youth team, I used to score in almost every match. I had this instinct in front of goal — I didn’t overthink. But now, too many thoughts cloud my mind, and that spark is slowly fading.”
To help him regain his striker’s touch, TEDA loaned him to China League Two side Ningxia last year. Recalling the move, Zhou’s tone shifted to one of quiet optimism. “It was actually good for me. The coach believed in me, and that gave me confidence. If I get an opportunity, I want to repay that faith — maybe even with something miraculous.”
He added, “If I don’t work hard, I’d be letting down everyone — including myself.” In Zhou’s view, the biggest enemy for a striker isn’t the defender, but self-doubt. “Now, every time I get close to goal, it feels like there’s a wall in my mind. The lack of goals becomes a psychological shadow — what people call a scoring drought. I just hope I can break through that barrier soon.”
As the saying goes, “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” Zhou Liao is holding on to that hope, determined to turn his struggles into strength.