He sees soccer's respect embodied even in Bayern's ruthless efficiency. "At 85 minutes, Thomas Muller was shouting at their young players: 'Speed up the tempo! Defensive positioning! Quicker passes! Faster transitions!' They respect soccer, and that means respecting opponents and fans."

Facing giants like Bayern laid bare the gulf between the sides, but Zhou found perspective in the fight itself. "The gap was obvious. We focused heavily on defensive training," he said. "My personal adjustment was to cherish every touch, cherish every attack and defense, treat it like a major exam."

While the 10-0 scoreline initially silenced the squad, Zhou stressed their resolve: "For us, we focus on doing our best in every single play."

His journey, from the pressures of Chinese soccer to family life in Auckland, and now to this global stage, feels surreal.

"Life is truly wondrous and unpredictable," Zhou mused. "Three years ago, I never imagined coming to New Zealand, let alone playing in the Club World Cup. The brave enjoy the world."

Defining his career as unpredictable, hard work and the result of stubbornness, Zhou explained the latter: "If I believe something is right, I persist to the end. If I believe something shouldn't be done, I absolutely won't do it."

This stubbornness also reflects his core: "Pure soccer, and love for it. Whether I become a coach, a club operator, or an event organizer, the essence remains — soccer."

Xinhua