There is a dream called football

Chapter 464 Absent from the Asian Cup

In mid-May, until the last round of the Premier League, Li Qiao hadn't come back, because the injury still exceeded his expectations.

It is not easy to recover from this kind of injury, but in fact, what is even more difficult is the competitive state, because Li Qiao has not played a game for three months, so the state is more worrying, and this is what the national team coach Lippi is worried about.

In May, the Chinese team will arrange two warm-up matches, but Lippi did not call Li Qiao for these two warm-up matches.

And Lippi's tone gradually became less confident when talking to the media. He had always said that Li Qiao could participate in the Asian Cup 100%, but now it seems that this seems a bit difficult.

"I think everything should be based on the recovery of the athlete's injury. If Li Qiao's injury has not recovered, then I will not rashly recall him to play."

And Li Qiao is also actively recovering, and has been able to conduct individual shooting training, but Arsenal's team doctor suggested that Li Qiao had better give up the Asian Cup.

"Your injury has only been more than 3 months now, and the recovery time is too short. If it is the World Cup, then I support you to participate, but the Asian Cup...I hope you can think about your career."

In this regard, Li Qiao also hesitated. On the one hand, he was very eager to participate in the Asian Cup, but on the other hand, he knew that the team doctor might be right. If this kind of injury is not healed, it will be difficult to get injured again.

For athletes, injuries are always the most difficult to deal with, so Li Qiao decided to work hard for one more week, and then the team doctors of the Chinese team and Arsenal will jointly evaluate himself. If his physical condition meets the standard, then he will go to the competition. If not, then he can only rest in the summer.

This week, under the supervision of the team doctor, Li Qiao conducted the maximum training within a reasonable range. A week later, the national football team doctor and the Arsenal team doctor first conducted a physical examination on Li Qiao, then jogged on the training ground, and finally practiced with the ball, especially shooting training, and then some accelerated return runs.

Looking at the whole process, the team doctors of both sides believed that Li Qiao's body had fully recovered, and there was no problem in participating in the game, but the problem still lay in his competitive state, so Li Qiao returned to China with the national football team and was going to participate in a warm-up match to check it out. The Chinese team's roster will also be announced after the game against Honduras.

Li Qiao is back, which is highly anticipated, and the domestic sports reporters can be said to have come out in full force.

But at the airport, Li Qiao just smiled at everyone, because there are many things that can't be said right now, and he might lose the election, so the best way is to say nothing.

After coming to the national team, Li Qiao had another physical examination. This time the result was the same, and there was nothing wrong with his physical indicators.

Lippi was relieved, he decided to arrange for Li Qiao to start the game the day after tomorrow, and use the game to test Li Qiao's competitive state.

*****
This game is scheduled in the capital. Honduras is not considered a strong team, but it is also the kind of team that has the strength to enter the World Cup. It is best to choose such a team in the warm-up match for training. Of course, many of Honduras' main players did not come, so the pressure on the Chinese team will be less.

CCTV will broadcast the game, and the news of Li Qiao's first start made everyone overjoyed. You must know that if the Chinese team wants to successfully defend the Asian Cup, then Li Qiao is the most important part.

After the start of the game, the two sides were evenly matched, and Honduras still had a little advantage. After all, they are an American team, and their offensive style is relatively fast, especially fast under their feet.

Through fast passing, Honduras took the lead in creating several very threatening shooting opportunities. This is a bit of the rhythm of the World Cup. It can also be said that the opponent Lippi chose is very good. It is very suitable for the Chinese team to warm up before the Asian Cup.

But soon, the Chinese team's midfielders Zheng Zhi and Li Tie took the ball, especially Zheng Zhi, who is now the core of the Chinese team's midfielder.

After controlling the rhythm of the game, the Chinese team began to master the offense. At the end of the first half, Gao Lin received a header from Li Qiao's side pass and scored the goal. The Chinese team led 1-0. It seemed that everything was moving in the direction of the Chinese team.

But at 20 minutes into the second half, the situation changed suddenly, and everyone's hearts were suspended.

Li Qiao sat on the ground after a breakthrough from the wing. This scene was like a bolt from the blue. Lippi immediately sent the team doctor up. Because it was a warm-up match, the referee also stopped the game. In this kind of game, the health of the players is the most important thing.

After a simple diagnosis, Li Qiao was off the field. Lippi immediately learned that Li Qiao felt discomfort in the calf muscles, which had nothing to do with the injured knee, so at least the biggest hidden danger was eliminated.

However, Li Qiao's exit had a great impact on the court. The teammates basically had no intention of fighting. In the end, Honduras recovered a goal in the second half, and the score remained at 1-1. The two sides drew.

After the match, almost everyone didn't care about the result of the warm-up match, and all the focus was on Li Qiao's situation.

"Have you relapsed from an old injury?"

Lippi smiled and said, "Fortunately, this is not an old injury, but a calf muscle problem."

"Will that affect Li Qiao's participation in the Asian Cup?"

Lippi shook his head, "I think it was a protective substitution. Everyone knows that Li Qiao hasn't played in the game for three months, so we should give him some time."

But unexpectedly, Li Qiao was not in the big list the next day.

Li Qiao lost the election.

And soon, Lippi explained why Li Qiao lost the election.

"There is no doubt that Li Qiao is the most important player in the Chinese team. He is the best player in Asia. However, considering the injury and the protection of his career, I regret to decide not to take Li Qiao to participate in this Asian Cup."

Of course, this decision was not easy, but it seems that everyone can understand it. The match against Honduras showed that Li Qiao did not recover 100%. In the process of one-on-one confrontation, Li Qiao did not dare to exert strength.

And that breakthrough was actually a bit weird. If it was normal, this kind of breakthrough would have passed by Li Qiao like a breeze.

*****
Accompanied by the staff at the Capital Airport, Li Qiao was about to leave and go back to England to recuperate from his injuries, and interviews with reporters were indispensable.

This time Li Qiao didn't refuse, because he also had a lot to say in his heart.

"It's a pity that I couldn't participate in the Asian Cup in the end. I want to say sorry to the fans and hope that the Chinese team can win the championship."

"When I recover, I will fight for more honors with the national football team. Hope to see you in South Africa."

(End of this chapter)