On April 14th, after officiating the Shanghai SIPG vs. Shandong Taishan match, female referee Xie Lijun was interviewed about her debut in officiating a top-tier men's league.

Before the game, Xie mentioned that she had a good understanding of the Chinese Super League due to regularly watching matches, including those of Chengdu's team. She also specifically studied previous games of both Shanghai SIPG and Shandong Taishan to analyze their tactics and strategies, preparing a detailed plan. Despite feeling a bit nervous before her first male top-tier league match, once the whistle blew, her focus shifted entirely to the game, and the nerves dissipated. Xie expressed confidence in her physical preparedness but acknowledged the different pace of men's professional leagues.

When asked if she was satisfied with her first officiating experience in a top-tier men's league, Xie rated herself a confident 7.5 out of 10. Her future goal is to officiate at the 2027 World Cup, building on her international referee status and past experience at the Women's World Cup in 2023.

Given her background in athletics and mountain living, Xie felt confident in keeping up with the game's pace. She highlighted differences between officiating in the Chinese Super League and the Women's World Cup, noting the higher physical demands and tactical maturity in men's games.

Reflecting on the match with a large crowd, Xie noted it was one of the most attended games she had officiated domestically. She discussed the trend of female referees officiating men's matches globally, drawing inspiration from European examples. Xie emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and training for female referees to excel in male-dominated competitions.

Regarding her aspirations, while Xie acknowledged the possibility of officiating at a men's World Cup in the future, her immediate focus remains on the 2027 Women's World Cup. She stressed the need for more female referees to participate in major tournaments and suggested that observing men's football matches and being fully prepared daily were critical for advancement in the field.

Xie shared her journey into refereeing, starting from a background in athletics and receiving guidance from mentors like Ma Ning. She encouraged future female referees to immerse themselves in football and strive for opportunities to officiate at prestigious events, aiming to break through in the global stage of football refereeing.