Midfielder Ruler

“What an artist’s performance!”

Central 5 commentator He Wei watched the slow-motion replay on the broadcast screen. He was mesmerized and shouted passionately: "If it is Tang Zheng's planned move to pass the ball past Mertens, So it can only be said that picking the ball past Dembélé is a subconscious reaction, but... the precise non-stop half-volley pass can only be said to be a plot that exists in e-sports games. The field of vision is too wide, and the pass So accurate! The number one superstar in world football today is indeed worthy of his reputation!!"

"The Chinese team's quick counterattack is really amazing. It only took 13 seconds from Yan's hand throw to Ye Erfan's goal. It was a textbook quick counterattack, and Tang's dribbling pass and half The long volley pass is the soul of the Chinese team's entire quick counterattack, an incredible god-level performance, and can even be said to be an acrobatic performance that only God can produce."

German Sky commentator Marcel Leif was so excited that he shouted hysterically.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch -"

The Chinese fans and neutral fans at the St. Petersburg Arena were very devoted, almost crazy and devoted themselves to creating a fanatical atmosphere. The fanatical atmosphere detonated the entire venue.

In a frenetic atmosphere, the Belgian looked miserable.

Judging from the scene, Belgium completely suppressed the Chinese team, and even made it impossible for the Chinese team to dribble the ball past its own 40-meter area.

However, the game process was very different from what was expected in many cases. Belgium, which had an absolute advantage, was unable to take advantage of the victory and go ahead. Instead, the Chinese team used a textbook quick counterattack to exceed the score again.

Of course, the Chinese team's goal was very accidental.

Tang Zheng's continuous picks are very entertaining. His non-stop half-volley passes are over 50 meters long. The strength and angle are perfect. The advance is completely suitable for Sun Jingbo's sprint, and Sun Jingbo takes the ball and wipes it forward. That moment was very resolute and decisive.

If there is a problem in one of the links, the Chinese team's go-ahead goal will no longer exist.

The Chinese team went ahead and the players were very excited, but captain Tang Zheng always remained vigilant. When the referee Cunha reminded the national team teammates to control the celebration time, he pulled his teammates and said: "Brothers, we are not getting carried away yet. Don’t forget that we have gone from a two-goal lead to a draw before, so what we need to do now is to continue to focus on the game, wait for the opportunity to counterattack quickly, and then win the game in one fell swoop!”

"Do you have confidence?"

Tang Zheng's voice suddenly rose an octave higher.

The voices of his teammates also rose a few notches, especially Ye Erfan, who scored twice in this game, with a strong voice: "Have confidence!"

Immediately, the on-site director switched the camera to show the Belgian players preparing to kick off.

Hazard, Lukaku, De Bruyne, Mertens, Witsel and other players all had ugly expressions on their faces, and they were obviously still brooding over the goal they just conceded.

Five minutes before Ye Erfan scored, it was very difficult for the Chinese team to even pass the half, but... they took advantage of an opportunity that was not a chance to exceed the score again. This huge psychological gap is always a bit uncomfortable to accept. .

Looking at the Chinese players walking towards their own half, CCTV 5 commentator He Wei was very emotional: "The Chinese team's taking the lead again is the result of the efforts of all the players, but this is not enough. Our players still need to perform in the remaining game time." With 100% or even 120% combat effectiveness, Belgium has the ability to score two goals in a row and tie the score again, so I hope the boys on the field can wake up and extend the lead into the game. Finish!"

※※※

Belgium fell behind again. Head coach Martinez turned to look at the warm-up area. He looked at it several times in a row but failed to think of better substitution adjustments.

Two substitution adjustments have been made, which means that the third substitution adjustment must be made with caution. If used too early, there may be no substitutions when an accident occurs. Moreover, the Chinese team only made one adjustment, leaving more cards. , which is not conducive to the next game.

Martinez thought for a long time but couldn't come up with the best plan, so he had no choice but to seek help from the coaching staff.

Brainstorm ideas.

In the blink of an eye, the game reached the seventy-fifth minute, which is the critical point of physical fitness in football matches.

Belgium, which was lagging behind, wanted to quickly equalize the score by strengthening its attack, but due to the Chinese team and its efficient and fast counterattack, the number of people involved in the attack was always limited, so it did not pose a direct threat to the Chinese team, which was fully retreating.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

The St. Petersburg Arena was full of fanaticism, especially the Chinese fans. Led by the Dragons Fan Club, they cheered louder and louder, making the entire stadium like boiling water.

One minute later, in a fanatical atmosphere, referee Cunha took advantage of a dead ball opportunity to blow his whistle and pointed his right hand to the sidelines of the main stand.

The on-site director immediately called the fourth official on the sidelines, who held up the substitution electronic sign.

"It was captain Tang Zheng's timely rescue that defused Belgium's attack."

Central 5 commentator He Wei changed his voice: "The Chinese team made the second substitution adjustment of the whole game. Wu Sanshi is going to come on as a substitute. The player he wants to replace is Ye Erfan, the young player who scored twice in this game. ?”

"Yes, Lippi's substitution idea was very clear. When the Chinese team's offensive efficiency began to decline, he sent Wu Sanshi, who was running and faster, and the young player Ye Erfan did his best in this game and fought hard until now. It is inevitable that he will have some physical difficulties. I hope that he can better strengthen his physical training in his future career and play the full 90 minutes of the game."

Guest commentator Xu Yang looked at Ye Erfan shown on the broadcast screen.

Tang Zheng took the initiative to run to Ye Erfan, who was walking towards the outside of the stadium, and hugged him hard: "You played very well in this game, go down and have a good rest, and wait for the moment of our triumph!"

Ye Erfan's heart surged in the enthusiastic atmosphere: "Brother Zheng, we will get third place, right?"

"Yes." Tang Zheng firmly held Ye Erfan's raised right hand: "We will win the game!"

It is worth mentioning that Yerfan, who was substituted, did not rush to complete the substitution handover, but consciously delayed the game time, so that the Belgian players complained to the referee Cunha.

Seeing this scene, He Wei laughed and said: "Yerfan, who is only 19 years old, not only has a superb sense of smell and superb shooting skills in front of the goal, but also has a surprisingly clear mind. He plays the rhythm of the Belgian attack. It’s time to use reasonable consumption of game time to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm. This can be regarded as young player Ye Erfan’s final contribution to the Chinese team in this game!”

Vertonghen threw a sideline ball. Lukaku failed to control the ball under the pressure of Tang Zheng and Zhang Linpeng. The ball flew towards the right rib of the Chinese team's defense. Li Kui rushed to clear the ball with a header before Mertens.

Belgium, which once again organized the offense, could no longer find the smooth feeling it had before. In addition, Wu Sanshi's appearance increased the Chinese team's ability to counterattack in the frontcourt, and Belgian head coach Martinez was afraid.

It wasn't until the 80th minute of the game that Martinez made up his mind to step up his attack.

※※※

Belgium, which strengthened its attack, created shooting opportunities again and again, but the Chinese team coach Lippi did not make adjustments to the lineup.

Obviously, he is adapting to the ever-changing situation by remaining unchanged.

In the 83rd minute, Belgian head coach Martinez finally couldn't wait any longer and made his third substitution of the game.

Fellaini replaces Mertens.

Although Fellaini is in the midfield, Martinez did not send him to strengthen control in the middle, but to let him enter the Chinese team's penalty area and form a double ghost shot with Lukaku.

The game went on for more than 80 minutes, and there was less and less time left for Belgium. The solution Martinez could think of was the tactic often used by Manchester United head coach Mourinho. When the team was unable to attack, he used Fellaini to score a goal. Strong ability to grab points creates opportunities.

“The Chinese team’s defense must be careful with Fellaini!”

Central 5 commentator He Wei was very worried.

Belgium's subsequent attack also reflected Fellaini's absolute dominance in the aerial battle. He defeated Li Kui and Gao Zhunyi with a header and then De Bruyne followed up with a non-stop volley. .

Fortunately, De Bruyne did not adjust his sights in order to gain time, otherwise Yan Junling would most likely be tested.

Immediately, the Chinese team made the third substitution adjustment of the game. Liu Yiming replaced Sun Jingbo, who had one assist in the game.

The purpose of this substitution adjustment is very obvious, to strengthen the defensive height in the penalty area.

"At the 86th minute of the game, all three cards of the Chinese team were played. There are only four minutes left in the regular game. I hope the Chinese players on the field can persevere and maintain the lead until the end of the game!"

Guest commentator Xu Yang said very uneasily.

Belgium, which launched the attack, played very directly, using the two wings or direct long passes from the backcourt to find Lukaku or Fellaini.

The effect was quite good at first, but with the tall and strong Liu Yiming coming on as a substitute, the Chinese team's defensive pressure was much lessened.

In other words, in addition to the three central defenders Zhang Linpeng, Gao Zhunyi and Liu Yiming, the Chinese team's regular defensive players in the penalty area also have Tang Zheng. Even if Lukaku and Fellaini are very capable in fighting for the top, they will not be able to defeat Tang Zheng and other Chinese players. The team's defensive players work together to bring a substantial threat.

Belgium coach Martinez sees it, but he has nothing to do about this situation now.

Facing the Chinese team that put up an iron barrel formation at the last moment of the game, even the world's top head coach had no choice.

Moreover, the Chinese team's iron barrel formation still comes from Lippi, and the tactics are more rigorous. It is very difficult to crack and takes time.

However, as the game time passed by second by second, the time left for the Belgians became less and less.

The best ways to break down a dense defense are long shots, set pieces and quality crosses.

However, long-range shooting is very difficult, because there are people everywhere inside and outside the penalty area of ​​the Chinese team, and it is very difficult to fly to the blind corner of the goal over many obstacles.

In addition, the Chinese team players paid great attention to their defensive actions and did not give the Belgians any free kicks in dangerous positions.

As for high-quality crosses, they have not appeared until now, so the Belgian fans in the stands are very anxious and do not have the confidence they had some time ago.

In the blink of an eye, the fourth official came to the sidelines and held up the electronic sign indicating four minutes of injury time.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

The Chinese fans in the stands were very excited and the cheers they made were deafening. They knew that the game would end according to the current score. The Chinese team won the third place in the World Cup in Russia and also created the best result of an Asian team in the World Cup!

Thinking of this, even the fans sitting in front of the TV became extremely excited and wanted to get involved in creating a fanatical atmosphere at the scene.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Belgium adopted a long pass. In addition to the two high points of Lukaku and Fellaini, the Chinese team also had Kompany, Alderweireld and Witsel in the penalty area.

Clearly trying to equalize the score regardless of the consequences.

The atmosphere was extremely fanatical. Both Lippi and Martinez came to the edge of their respective coaching areas, with their hands in their pockets and their eyes fixed on the game, without even realizing that their upper bodies were leaning over the sideline.

De Bruyne's cross from the attacking right rib at a 45-degree angle and about 25 meters away from the baseline was blocked by Hao Junmin. The football changed its trajectory and flew high into the air, leaving the baseline with an obvious parabola.

Corner kick!

For a moment, the Chinese fans in the stands felt obviously nervous.

Lukaku, Fellaini, Alderweireld, Kompany, Chadli, Witsel, and Vertonghen all rushed into the Chinese team's penalty area. If it weren't for the Chinese team's counterattack, Hazard and Denton Pele will participate in this corner kick attack.

Facing Belgium's seven-man corner kick attack, all 11 players of the Chinese team, including goalkeeper Yan Junling, participated in the defense in the penalty area. This means that the small Chinese team gathered 18 players in the penalty area.

"You must stand in a defensive position, keep an eye on people, and at the same time, you cannot use unconventional defensive moves, otherwise the referee is likely to catch the situation and award a penalty kick. Time is getting shorter and shorter. It is the Belgians who should be worried."

Central 5 commentator He Wei saw the referee Cunha pulling Zhang Linpeng and Kompany aside respectively, and said worriedly.

The hearts of the Chinese fans at the St. Petersburg Arena were in their throats, but the Belgian fans were not much better. After all, defense is easier than offense. As long as you stay in the defensive position and don't make mistakes, your defense will be successful.

De Bruyne took a corner kick on the right side of the attack. Tang Zheng overpowered Lukaku and Fellaini and pushed the football back hard. The ball went above the crossbar.

Corner kick!

As injury time approached two and a half minutes, players from both sides in the penalty area came into physical contact one after another, so much so that the referee Cunha had to blow his whistle continuously to signal the players on both sides to control their defensive actions.

By the time De Bruyne was about to take the corner kick, the time was already half a minute later, and it came to three minutes of injury time.

Central 5 commentator He Wei's voice was obviously trembling: "There is only one minute left in injury time, and victory is getting closer to us. I believe our players can withstand the pressure and take the lead. Keep it up until the end of the game!"

The fans at the St. Petersburg Arena gradually forgot to make a sound in the fanatical atmosphere, and their eyes were fixed on the Chinese team's penalty area...

Who wins and who loses will most likely be decided in the next corner kick.