Chinese champion

Chapter 238 The Road to Glory Where the Dream Begins
China in February ushered in the most important day in the new year, that is the New Year, but for the fans, this day is not only the beginning of the new year, but also the Chinese men's football team's impact on the World Cup start.

Pei Wei, Zhu Jun, Hu Yong, Zhang Qi, Wu Qi, Li Min, Du Wei, Dong Yuzhuo, Sun Chenghai, Shaoyi, Wang Xiaomin... One after another, the names familiar to the fans kept appearing on TV and newspapers. With these overseas players as the main body, the Chinese national team has formed the strongest lineup ever.

At the beginning of February, the new head coach of the national team, Menotti, announced the list of members of the national team, including all eleven overseas players (Li Gang was seriously injured before the start of the Asian Cup and will take a year off). Forming a lineup to play, coupled with the failure of some old players, the media exclaimed that Menotti broke all the unspoken rules of the national team!
With many players complaining, the Football Association firmly stood on Menotti's side and solemnly declared that the selection of the national team in the future will be determined entirely according to the player's own strength and recent state. Who is indispensable, as long as the state is not good, even Pei Wei will be kicked out of the national team!
Everyone knows that this sentence is an excuse, Pei Wei will not get mixed up to the point where he can't even enter the national team, but this statement expresses a kind of determination of the Football Association, and it also makes the complaining players shut up obediently mouthed.

"Stingy! Long time no see!"

"Big Wu, you are getting taller and taller. Did you take some medicine?"

"Master Zhu, what kind of affair have you had recently?"

The overseas players greeted each other cheerfully, but the domestic players were a little sad. Many old friends were lost, and they naturally hurt each other.

In the midst of the joy, Pei Wei saw Wang Xiaomin standing alone, with a slightly honest smile. No wonder, it was his first time entering the national team, and there was no one he knew except Pei Wei. Wei patronized and greeted several other people, but he was left out in the cold.

"Hey, Anderson, come here!" Pei Wei ran to Wang Xiaomin at once and pulled him over: "Let me introduce to you, this is Anderson, his Chinese name is Wang Xiaomin, and he was my teacher in Mallorca last year." Teammates! Do you know each other?"

"Not only do we know each other, but we are also very familiar with each other." Zhu Jun was the first to say with a smile, and put his arms around Wang Xiaomin's neck very intimately: "I always meet him two or three times a year. This guy is really strong. It's all good, but the feet are a bit smelly."

"Haha!" There was a roar of laughter. They were all from Europe. Naturally, everyone knew that Mallorca had a large Roberto Carlos. His defense and passing were no worse than that of the real Carlos. Shooting really insults the reputation of "heavy gunner" Carlos.

Now that the introductions are over, Wang Xiaomin is also a familiar figure, and he quickly became friends with this group of people.

Sun Ru looked at Wang Xiaomin, who was joking and laughing with other people, and felt a little heavy in his heart. Wang Xiaomin played in the same position as him, and he had already made a name for himself in Europe. He also had a golden La Liga champion's coat, Menotti called him in obviously to let him play the main force, so what should I do?
When Sun Ru was thinking about his own thoughts, someone suddenly patted his shoulder heavily.

"Captain?" Sun Ru asked in astonishment, and it was Du Wei who patted him on the shoulder: "Don't think about it, he will only increase the strength of the team, you are you, he is him, you have your role, the coach asked you Entering the national team must have taken a fancy to you, you just need to perform well."

Sun Ru didn't expect Du Wei to see what was on his mind at a glance. It's no wonder that they grew up together almost from childhood. The teenagers, youth, adult team, national youth team, and Olympic team have always been together. It is too familiar.

"I know, I will work hard." Sun Ru bowed her head and said.

Du Wei patted Sun Ru on the shoulder with satisfaction, and walked away.

Wang Xiaomin over there suddenly pointed to another group of people, and asked Pei Wei, "Why don't you introduce them to me, aren't they also teammates?"

Pei Wei glanced over there, smiled wryly and said, "I also want to introduce, I'm afraid they won't like it."

Wang Xiaomin seemed to understand something: "The national team is also divided into gangs? Isn't that the same as martial arts novels?"

"Have you read martial arts novels?" Pei Wei asked a little strangely. In his mind, those who immigrated to foreign countries should not know much about Chinese literature, especially non-mainstream literature like martial arts novels.

"Of course I've seen it. Of the four Jin Gu Wen Liang families, which one am I not familiar with? By the way, which group is more powerful now?" Wang Xiaomin asked suddenly.

"Why are you asking this?"

"Of course you have to go to the powerful side, otherwise, as a rookie, don't you want to be bullied?" Wang Xiaomin said naturally: "Don't say that your side is small, then I will be embarrassed."

"Haha!" Pei Wei laughed so hard that he couldn't even catch his breath: "They used to be powerful, but...now it's our turn, haha!" His words were not false, except for eleven overseas players In addition, there are Sun Ru, Yang Bing, Zhan Feng, Yan Song and other players drawn from the National Olympic team in the current national team. In addition, the oldest Hao Dong is not too involved in these power struggles. As for the matter, the influence of veteran players has been minimized in the national team.

"Come, come, I'll take you to a place to stay. I'm afraid you won't be used to being with people you don't know well, so I specially let you share a room with me. Let's go."

"Am I familiar with you?" Wang Xiaomin looked surprised.

"The kid is looking for a fight!"

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"With the ardent expectations of fans across the country, all members of the Chinese men's football team went to Seoul today to start the journey to the quarter-finals of the World Cup qualifiers in Asia. Let us sincerely wish them glory for the country and create greater glories!"

With the crisp voice of the midday newscaster of the CCTV sports channel, it officially announced the beginning of the Chinese team's World Cup journey, and their first stop was Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Although it was a crucial first game, and the opponent was the South Korean team, their old enemy for decades, the Chinese team, which was lightly packed, did not have the slightest nervousness. On the contrary, they played the game with a very relaxed attitude.

Although it is an away game, although the head coach has been in office for less than two months, although most of the players have just returned from Europe a few days ago and are very tired, although the main players have not had much time to adjust... But unexpectedly, the entire Chinese team No one thought they were going to lose.

Confidence comes from strength. From history to the present, no Asian team can have as many outstanding players as this Chinese team. In their eyes, the Asian powerhouses have long been ignored by them. The powers of the world are the targets they are chasing after.

At the press conference, Menotti smiled when asked by reporters if he was confident of winning.

"I believe that the strength of the current Chinese team has reached the level of a quasi-first-class team in Europe. The age structure of the team is reasonable, and the level of players has also reached a considerable level. There is no obvious defect in any position...Of course, If I have to say a weakness, it is that the cooperation between the players may not be tacit enough, but I believe that as long as we don't beat ourselves, no one can beat us in Asia."

The South Korean reporters present were in an uproar. In their impression, no Asian team dared to openly declare that they would win at home in South Korea. ?

At that moment, a South Korean reporter stood up and asked loudly: "Mr. Menotti, in the football match between China and South Korea, the national team has not won against the South Korean team for 23 years. What do you do about this?" look?"

After listening to the translation, Menotti smiled slightly: "History is always just history and cannot replace reality. No matter how long the Chinese team has not defeated the South Korean team, it is just my predecessor. It has nothing to do with me, and I will not consider it." .”

Another reporter asked the same question to Pei Wei who was present at the press conference. Pei Wei smiled relaxedly: "Is it Korean-phobia? I believe that there is no disease that cannot be cured, and as far as I am concerned, Whether it is a team or a player, I have never lost to Korean football in a game, and I believe that this time is no exception."

"One is more crazy than the other! "This is the most frequently used headline in newspapers by South Korean media after the press conference.

After seeing these inflammatory newspapers, the South Korean fans were all angry. They decided to boo the Chinese team during the game, and let these ignorant Chinese know the price of making the Republic of Korea angry!

The head coach of the South Korean team, Bonfrere, was also angry. Although he has been criticized by Korean fans and the media since he led the team, he has always believed that his achievements in leading the team are obvious. He needs this victory to consolidate himself in the South Korean team. position.

3-4-3!This is the formation that Bonfrere deployed in this game. What he needs is a crushing victory, and he does not hesitate to take risks for this.

Goalkeeper Li Yunzai, three defenders in the middle is the veteran Yoo Sang-chul, next to him are Park Jae-hong and Park Dong-hyuk, four midfielders Kim Nam-il in midfield, Lee Cheon-soo in front midfielder, Lee Yong-pyo and Kim Dong-jin on both sides , the three strikers are Xue Qixuan, Li Dongguo and Park Zhixing.

However, the Chinese team still used their usual 4-4-2, with goalkeeper Wu Qi, defenders Sun Chenghai, Du Wei, Li Min and Sun Ru, midfielders Hu Yong, Zhang Qi, Zhu Jun and Pei Wei, and forwards played by veterans. Hao Dong and Dong Yuzhuo, who was newly selected for the national team, served.

This is a very young lineup, except for Hao Dong, all players are under 30 years old, and Dong Yuzhuo is only 19 years old.

After Menotti took office, Li Wei, the unshakable main captain, lost his main position and was replaced by Li Min. Menotti doesn't care what old player you are. He is stronger than Li Wei in terms of height, speed, and strength, and he is not as bold as him. Menotti naturally wants to use him.

The game started with cheers and boos all over the sky. The "Red Devils Cheerleaders" really lived up to their reputation. They had a superior number and they almost suppressed the voices of the Chinese fans. They were all dressed in red jerseys of the South Korean national team. The stadium was dyed red.

Just like the scene in the Asian Cup final, the red ocean, unfortunately, that time the red ocean cheered for the Chinese team, but this time, it cheered for the South Korean team.

"This is called home court advantage." Hu Yong sighed.

"What's this? They can't play games. Can they call the ball into the goal by shouting?" Zhu Jun said with a smile.

None of the players on the Chinese team have seen big scenes. Even Sun Ru, who has the worst reputation, has experienced the scenes of the World Youth Championship finals, and Hao Dong is even more experienced on the football field. You have become a fine guy, do you still care about this little KASE?
"It's so exciting to think that I can beat the team they support in front of so many fans! Pei Wei, pass me a few more balls today, and watch me turn their wings upside down!" Zhu Jun said energetically.

"Don't forget about me, don't engage in left-leaning, I will also fight here." Zhang Qi was not to be outdone.

"No problem!" Pei Wei agreed, "Where there is space, I will pass it to whichever side is running well! You just need to run more, and I will pass the ball to the side at the best time. Under your feet!"

This is the strategy set by Menotti. Since the South Korean team plays three backs, their formation must have flaws on the wing when they switch from offense to defense, and they have two first-class full-backs, Zhu Jun and Zhang Qi. Or as a winger, if you don't seize this opportunity to play on the wing, you will be too sorry for Menotti's reputation as a "football theorist", right?

"Pei, you have to remember that my tactical play is all around you. In the beginning, try to control the ball as much as possible in the midfield, try to attract the opponent's defense to you, and then see the timing Pass the ball and catch them by surprise! Hu will protect behind you, they only have one midfielder, so it must be a full-back to help you, at that time, our chance will come."

Recalling Menotti's words, Pei Wei was full of pride: World Cup, here we come!Here is where our dreams begin!

(End of this chapter)