song of the saints

Chapter 14 The Failed First Half
In the 6th minute of the game, Blackburn's forward Dwight Yorke, one of Manchester United's "black winds and evil spirits", relied on his own ability to pass Delap and the central defender Lund who came up to block near the Southampton penalty area. After Kewan, he got out of the way and took a low shot. Southampton goalkeeper Niemi missed the save, and the ball rubbed against the post and entered the net.Yorke's goal gave Blackburn a 1-0 lead at Southampton.

Mark Hughes celebrated with a punch after seeing the goal, excited, as if the victory of the game had been put in his pocket.

Chen Zhun had nothing to do with this goal. He knew that his players had tried their best. This is the embodiment of the charm of stars on the football field.The fans at St. Mary's Stadium were not dismayed by the conceded goal, they sang Southampton's team anthem in unison on the sidelines.

Chen Zhun also applauded the players on the sidelines, and mobilized his body to arouse the players' self-confidence.The players on the field did not lose confidence because of this, and they still organized the attack in an orderly manner.

After taking the lead, Blackburn started defensive tactics, which surprised Chen Zhun.Just 15 minutes into the game, Mark Hughes had the guts to start shrinking defensively, so blindly defending would only push him into a dead end.But this situation has also solved many problems for Chen Zhun. He can still follow the tactical deployment formulated before the game, and hope that his forwards can seize the opportunity.

Due to Blackburn's unexpected lead, Southampton had to start controlling the rhythm of the game on the field and played a ball possession tactic.

However, Mark Hughes' wishful thinking did not last long.In the 19th minute of the game, Anders Swensen sent a long pass from the midfielder to find Fernandez on the right. This time Fernandez did not choose to pass from the bottom or hit the penalty area back.Facing the immobile Michael Gray, he decisively first used his skillful fake moves to shake away Gray who was attacking lightly, and then cut inside along the penalty area line. Gray couldn't react in time, and his body was a little slower than his brain. Seconds, and then used the fast foot frequency to sway Barry Ferguson's defense, Fernandez swayed a shot angle, he shot decisively, his shot made a beautiful curve ball, the ball was very fast , The angle is tricky, hanging straight to the far corner of the goal.The whole shooting action was done in one go, without any delay.Blackburn goalkeeper Friedel had nothing to do with this world wave.Nice long shot! !Beautiful world waves! !The atmosphere in St. Mary's Stadium boiled for the first time with this goal! !The fans chanted Southampton's name.Southampton's lightning equalizer! !After scoring the goal, Fernandez happily ran to the fans' stands to celebrate.

Chen Zhun was very excited to see this beautiful world wave. He shouted loudly, then slapped his hands hard on the grass, and then hugged everyone in the coaching bench. The tactical routine he deployed before the game has begun to appear It worked.Before the game, he specifically asked the two wide players, especially the Frenchman Fernandez on the right, to dare to use his dribbling and speed to attack the opponent's full back.

Mark Hughes paid the price for his conservatism.He sat on the coach's bench with a sad face.

After the equalizer, the morale of the Southampton team was high, and the attacks again and again threatened the goal of the Blackburn team
In the 23rd minute, Anders Svensson's free kick was barely lifted by Blackburn goalkeeper Friedel.

In the 29th minute, Crouch's shot in front of the goal was miraculously cleared by Emerton on the goal line.

The Southampton team seemed to firmly occupy the initiative on the field, but when an absolute opportunity appeared on the spot, the Southampton team's attack line could not grasp the opportunity well. Such an initiative was basically non-existent.

Slowly, Southampton began to fall on the field after a long attack to no avail.This is not allowed by Chen Zhun. He thinks that such too many useless kicks will only gradually relax the players' attention.Sure enough, what Chen Zhun was worried about happened became a reality.

In the 35th minute, Anders Svensson, the core midfielder, continued to organize the offense. He sent a short pass, trying to find Delap on the right, but the two did not have a tacit understanding.The ball slips past Delap.Barry Ferguson has the ball, he has just noticed the Southampton defense going forward.Blackburn was about to start a counterattack, and Barry Ferguson made a long pass over the top to find Dwight Yorke, the core of the striker.At this time, York, who was cruising between the central defenders of the Southampton team, suddenly started and succeeded in anti-offside. He instantly opened the distance from the central defenders of Southampton.When Southampton's central defender turned around and chased again, he found that Yorke was almost at the penalty area line.York is in! !He faced the goalkeeper Niemi, and Niemi struck out, ready to destroy York's one-handed ball.York glanced at the middle at this time, and at the moment when Niemi was about to touch the ball, he lightly pushed his arch and passed it to Stead, who was unguarded in the middle.Stead easily scored an empty goal! 2 to 1, the Blackburn team once again overtook the score.Southampton also paid the price for their carelessness.

Chen Zhun on the sidelines was also furious when he saw the conceded goal. He was very dissatisfied with the complacency of the players on the field.He slammed the mineral water bottle in his hand to the ground.

The first half ended with a score of 2-1.In the last 10 minutes, neither side created a good scoring opportunity.

In the Southampton dressing room, the atmosphere was oppressive and serious, and a storm was inevitable.

Chen Zhun couldn't control his emotions. He saw the trash can by his feet, kicked the trash can to the ground angrily, and shouted at the players angrily: "I am very dissatisfied with your performance in the first half, You play like shit. You don't have any desire to win on the field, don't you have enough food, do you think you are an Arsenal team, invincible, you can win the game with just kicking. Give me the second half of the game Keep up your spirits, attack hard, defend hard, open your eyes wide, take your steps, and let the arrogant guys on the opposite side know our true strength!! Remember, don’t let Your fans are disappointed!! If you are still playing football so absent-mindedly in the second half, then I will put my ugly words first, and don't blame me for being rude!"

It was the first time for the players to see their head coach get so angry. Recalling their various mistakes in the first half, they also held back their energy to truly display their strength.

(End of this chapter)