Trust Makes us Strong

The Chinese Men’s Goalball team, in their Paralympic debut, impressed the world with 32 goals in the Men’s preliminaries – progressing through to the quarterfinals comfortably and firming as favourites for the Gold medal.
Like a dream-breaker for many of the more experienced teams, China easily beat the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Silver and Bronze medalists Sweden and USA by 13-8 and 13-3 respectively.
Brazil is one team taking note. “We didn’t expect them to be so strong now. We have been trying to seek the opportunity to attack, but unfortunately, China can almost block out any throw by us. They’ve done an excellent job,” said Brazillian team coach Nascimento Freitas.
At the 2006 IBSA World Championships the Chinese Men’s Goalball Team first tried their hand at international competition, finishing 11th. China qualified for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games by way of a host nation wild card, but they’re competing with medals firmly in mild.
Zhang Yong, the head coach of the Chinese Men’s Goalball team believes being diversified and being strong may lead to success. And the team members share an attitude of “the players are those who play and make a difference”.
Yao Yongquan, the sixth best scorer of the Chinese team in the prelimiaries says: “Zhang never dictates. He likes what we are and believes we can bring out the best in ourselves.”
The coach and players have to rely on each other for a better result. But trust is not built overnight.
Zhang Yong took over the team in 2007 and creatively developed the high bouncing balls which are their trademark. However, being young and unexperienced, the players took some time to become sure of themselves and the young coach.
“Bouncing balls will not work. Those Goalball veterans know very well how to deal with it,” Yao and other players thought. “Trust me, we’ll have more offensive bouncing balls. They will do the trick.” Zhang assured his team.
At the 2007 Good Luck Beijing International Goalball Tournament, China unexpectedly won the Gold, shocking traditionally strong team such as Sweden and Lithuania.
“The coach is right!” Yao was ecstatic. The players also felt trusted. “He will not ask for a substitution easily. When we play not so well, he’ll give us the chance and time to make it up and do even better.”
Though the team is looking good and favourite for the Gold but the coach is still quite cautious and reserved. “The ball is round, so you’ll never know what is going to happen.” Zhang says so.