The Young Lion

The dust of the Korea-Japan World Cup group draw has settled, and some anecdotes happened during the ceremony, such as Platini covering his mouth and snickering because he guessed the result of the draw.

The World Cup is still half a year away, but the storm is already brewing.

Some were happy and some were sad. The Japanese coach Troussier was very satisfied with the grouping results, but the Korean media lamented.

Seoul Sports reported after the lottery results came out: South Korea's dream of the top 16 hit the rocks!

South Koreans believe that with Portugal, Poland and two European teams in the same group, plus the United States, South Korea's hope of entering the top 16 is very slim.

It can be said that apart from England and Sweden, the European teams are in groups where there is no risk of survival on paper. The strong teams are generally satisfied with the results of the draw.

For example, Brazil draws China, Costa Rica, Turkey, and Brazil is very cautious. In countries other than the East, China has always given people a sense of mystery.

The Brazilians were very cautious, so they began to investigate the team's opponents, the Chinese team, to study Chinese football. French Football also wanted to introduce the new Chinese team in the World Cup in its news reports, so it also embarked on the itinerary of studying Chinese football.

At the end of the year, the media in Brazil and France introduced the status quo of Chinese football to the world football world. However, it is full of negative reports such as management chaos, shady scenes, match-fixing, etc. The mysterious veil of the Chinese team was lifted, and the Brazilian media made a big fuss after realizing it. An affair between Milu and a Chinese female reporter who doesn't understand football at all.

To say which country has the greatest impact on the result of the draw. England without a doubt!

The Sun: Why is it Argentina again!

The report mentioned Beckham's red card in the last World Cup against England and Afghanistan. And Maradona's Hand of God in 1986.

: England face big favorite Argentina!

Mirror: England and Argentina revisit old hatred!

The Times: England must get enough 5 points!

The Guardian: Ah. God, this is the toughest group!

Fleet Street is almost unanimous in its opinion that the battle between England and Argentina, the old enemy, is the most difficult battle,

At the same time, the 33-year invincibility of Sweden also makes everyone feel uncertain about the future, and the mysterious division Super Eagle Nigeria may spoil the situation.

Only the Daily Mail reported the results of the draw in a half-joking context, with Aldrich's stunned expression photographed by reporters outside the training base: the death group made the young coach of the Three Lions despair!

The longer he stayed in the UK, the more Aldrich could feel the complexity of the country's culture.

It is an old enemy with Germany, and fought against it during World War II.

It is also an old enemy with Argentina. The Falklands campaign bullied others.

Whenever England plays in the World Cup, it seems impossible not to draw a past war opponent in the group stage.

As the coach of the national team, Aldridge had to make a formal speech after the lottery results came out, which was not only for public relations needs, but also to inject mental stimulants into the national team.

Senior football reporter Jennings has established a relatively harmonious working relationship with Aldridge in the past two years. Last year's interview was also hosted by Jennings.

Before going to Old Trafford, Aldridge was preparing for an interview in the office. As the coach of the national team, the office had to be rearranged. At least there are too many Millwall elements set against the rules, otherwise the interview airs. It's a bit nondescript.

After the background layout was completed, Aldridge and Jennings sat opposite each other.

After the opening remarks, Jennings cut to the chase.

The World Cup draw ceremony, I heard that you watched the live TV broadcast, right?

Yes.

Let's talk about this photo first.

Jennings took out a close-up photo of Aldridge's jaw-dropping expression outside the training facility and showed it to Aldridge.

Aldridge laughed dumbfounded, shook his head and said: I was a little surprised at the time, but it wasn't because of the result of the draw, but someone told me that England hadn't defeated Sweden in 33 years.

Does this frighten you?

Of course not. On the first day of my coaching, I knew that the club I was leading was a team that hadn't won any championship in a hundred years.

Jennings immediately understood the meaning of Aldrich's words.

History, nothing to fear.

The future is waiting for contemporary people to create.

Jennings put down the photo and said, England and Argentina are assigned to the same group. Judging from outside public opinion, people think this is a signing. What do you think?

Aldrich took a deep breath, and then smiled.

Some games will go beyond the meaning of football competition itself, such as the Spanish derby, and the match between England and Argentina. If we lose to Argentina, even if we finally qualify from the group, I don't think England fans will be happy. .”

Are you saying that this focus game will bring huge pressure? England was very unlucky. They met Argentina in the group stage and were divided into the death group. The prospect looks worrying.

No, no, I just stated my views on the game itself, but I think it's normal to be in the same group as Argentina. mentality to face the result of the lottery.

Why? Don't Argentina cause trouble for us? Or, do you think England has the absolute strength to beat Argentina?

Aldridge still shook his head and said: The game was not played, and the outcome cannot be judged. In terms of strength, Argentina has a new coach after 1998. Argentina led by Bielsa looks unstoppable in South America. They are very strong. It is a matter of course to become the favorite of next year's World Cup, but what about England? First of all, we must be clear. Our players and our fans must ask themselves: What is England doing in the World Cup? What kind of pursuit do we have? What kind of goal do we hope for? result?

Jennings mused: Of course we want England to win the World Cup, but

But we always let people down, so. We probably don't even think about it now. There's an air of fluke in the public opinion. It confuses me that if a team goes from the group stage to the final, it will play a total of 7 games. There are three games in the group stage, top 16, top 8, top 4, championship and runner-up finals. If we want England to win the championship and go further, then you can't avoid playing against strong teams and the favorites to win the championship Fighting, I have read the newspapers published by major media today. Most of the voices are pessimistic about England. If this is the case, why do we go to the World Cup? Anyway, it seems that we are bound to lose when we meet a strong team. Then we still play games What? What are the players going to fight for? As a head coach, I might as well go on vacation.

Jennings nodded and said, You're saying that England can't be cowardly before a fight, right?

Aldrich's expression became serious. Shen Sheng said: We worked hard to get the first place in the qualifiers, and our goal is to aim at the World Cup. First of all, we must be conscious. We are not going to travel, we are not trying our luck to avoid a certain strong team Yes! We are going to do our best and exert 100% or 200% of our combat power to win honor! Secondly, no matter what our strength is, we must have the belief to defeat our opponents! The World Cup is not a league, nor a tie to get a point The stage where life can continue, if there is no belief in winning, then our efforts will be restrained by ourselves. In the end, there are 3 group matches in the death group. After qualifying, there will be one less game. If you cannot qualify, then you will play Going home after three games. Under such circumstances, it is our decisive battle to play against a strong team early. If we fight again, it will only be 7 games. The whole team must be unified in thinking. Do what you can.

These words, Aldridge not only told every player of the England national team through interviews, but also told the fans, the media, and himself!

There is still half a year to go before the World Cup. There is no time left for you to be pessimistic, to lament, to make calculations. There is only one thing to do, to face it with confidence!

Jennings was also infected by Aldridge's words.

The previous England coaches basically faced the World Cup with a cautious attitude. It is rare for Aldrich to inspire the whole team and the people like this.

It is no exaggeration to say that the results of the World Cup group draw have shrouded English football in a haze. From players to fans, from the FA to Fleet Street, there is a feeling of going to the World Cup to watch England die.

Jennings became more relaxed and asked, What do you think of Sweden? This is an opponent we have never defeated in 33 years.

Aldrich chuckled and said: It's still the same sentence, the game has not been played, and the outcome cannot be determined. At least I don't think this is an opponent worthy of panic. People will say that England has not defeated Sweden in 33 years, but if England Are you in a group with France? People will say that because France has not defeated England in the past 40 years, so England will definitely be unbeaten against France? Don't be kidding, France has won the past two major competitions. , or England is at a disadvantage, just like England met Ireland, and we haven’t defeated Ireland for more than ten years. Is England’s chance of winning lower than Ireland? Hehe, Sweden has good strength, but England shouldn’t be defeated by a 33-year history of invincibility On the contrary, this should give us a stronger motivation to rewrite history and completely bury that unbearable history.”

Jennings laughed, thinking that the ratings of today's interview must be extremely high.

Argentina, Sweden, the strongest opponents in the two groups, the panic in people's hearts is not worth mentioning in Aldridge's mouth, but Aldridge is not the kind of blindly ignoring opponents, his words are very convincing and infectious It's exciting to hear.

What about Nigeria? We beat them in a friendly match in 1996, the score was 1:0.

It's meaningless to talk about history. Opponents who have defeated in the past may complete revenge tomorrow. For African teams, we must be vigilant. In terms of strength, European teams must be stronger, but African teams have their own characteristics. Physical fitness The advantage is very obvious. Another point is that their fighting will be extremely strong. The World Cup is a big stage for many unknown players in Europe to become famous. The motivation of spiritual will will directly affect the game.

Next, Aldridge talked about the results of the group draws for other teams and his outlook on the favorite teams in the World Cup. In this regard, his words were tinged with diplomatic rhetoric.

For example, he will still say that France, Spain, Portugal and other teams are the favorites to win the championship. After all, if he said that France will go home after the group stage, no one will believe it. If he is true, I am afraid people will It will not worship him more, but it will cause controversy and fear. After all, France's hard power is no problem, but when the World Cup comes, the core Zidane is accidentally injured, and the comeback status of the line of fire cannot be guaranteed. (to be continued...) ()