Prodigy-turned-star of Chinese football Wu Lei believes that his nation will not only qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, but will put together a fighting display in the second-ever edition of the tournament in Asia.

Wu's 88th minute goal at home against Qatar in the second round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ Asian qualifiers helped his nation to clinch a berth in the third round, where they will face the 2022 hosts again in Group A.

The exciting Shanghai SIPG playmaker, considered to be one of Asian football's brightest talents, told www.sc.qa he hopes to continue playing a leading role in his nation's emergence as Asia's top football nation by featuring in Russia – and in Qatar.

"I am now focusing on the 2018 third round qualifiers," said Wu, who turns 25 on 19 November, four days after 'Team Dragon' host Qatar. "Every third round qualifier is a tough assignment and we start our campaign against South Korea, who were the Asian Cup finalists. It would be important to qualify for Russia – we have not played a World Cup since 2002. It is a bit early to talk about 2022 but football is improving rapidly in China and we have a good chance of putting together a good show in Qatar."

'Al Annabi' return to China on 15 November, looking to avenge their defeat there in March. "The win against Qatar in March is the most significant in recent Chinese football history," said Wu, who made his Shanghai SIPG (then called Shanghai East Asia) debut at 14.

"We did not reach the third round qualifiers of the previous three World Cups and had to win against Qatar, who had won all their previous qualifiers. Therefore, my goal in that game is one of the most important ones of my international career. We will approach the game with a lot of confidence as we emerged winners at home earlier this year. However, just as with all our opponents, we will treat Qatar with respect."

Wu also remembers the 1-0 defeat to José Carreño's team in October 2015, when midfielder Karim Boudiaf scored the winner. His abiding memory from that game is of the personal duel against another prodigy-turned-future hope, Qatar left-back Abdulkarim Hassan, who made his club debut at 17 and has clocked up 51 international appearances despite being two years younger than Wu. "I came on as a second half substitute in that game and was very impressed with Hassan," recalled Wu, who has seven goals from 35 caps. "He is a terrific left-back, good in defence and fantastic going forward to assist his offensive teammates."

After having scored 96 goals in 224 matches for Shanghai SIPG, Wu has been monitored closely by many European clubs. On more than one occasion, he has referred to the Bundesliga as the best option to maximise the potential of talented Asian footballers, citing the examples of fellow playmakers Shinji Kagawa of Japan and Son Heung-min of South Korea. "I believe that there is a right time for Asian players to go to Europe," said Wu. "We should only explore the option if we are convinced we will constantly make progress out there as footballers by playing as many games as possible."

With Shanghai SIPG progressing to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals this season and with the Chinese Super League flush with international talent, Wu is content playing for his current club. "I train with my SIPG teammates such as Elkeson and Dario Conca," said Wu. "I also test out my skills against recent members of the Brazilian national team's midfield such as Paulinho, Ramires and Renato Augusto, as well as Colombia's Freddy Guarin. This has helped me improve as an attacking midfielder."

Wu also says he has improved the defensive aspects of his game thanks to his club coach Sven Goran-Eriksson, who coached England in the 2002 and 2006 World Cup™ finals. "The coach is very experienced and insists that every player in the team should help out in defensive duties."

Wu has been a prolific scorer for Eriksson. Last season, he knocked in 14 goals to help Shanghai SIPG to a second place finish in the Chinese Super League. This year, in addition to the goal against Qatar, Wu has scored crucial goals away and at home for Shanghai SIPG in the AFC Champions League round of 16 match against FC Tokyo. "I will be trying my best to keep myself in a good condition to play in every single game, be it for China or for my club," concluded Wu when asked about his goals for 2016.

José Carreño and his men will certainly be hoping that Wu underperforms in one of his upcoming assignments.

Photo credit: Shanghai SIPG; Translation: David Chan and Ian Liang.