World Cup of Great Powers

Chapter 21 Undercurrent

"According to the latest news from Doha, the capital of Qatar, the Saudi Arabian team scored a goal from captain No. 8 Khaled in the 32nd minute of the game, leading 1-0 at halftime."

Taking advantage of the intermission, Sun Zhengping read another real-time game report to the fans.

"In other words, Saudi Arabia and we are going to join forces to qualify?" Lao Rong looked delighted.

The two games against the Iranian team made countless Chinese fans hate the Iranian team so much.

In comparison, Saudi Arabia, which lost to the Chinese team in both games, looked cuter.

That's the nature of fans.

"It should be like this!" Xiao Rong said this, but her face showed doubts.

Seeing his son's appearance, Lao Rong couldn't help but ask one more question: "Xiao Rong, why do you look unhappy?"

"Dad, Saudi Arabia has the same goal difference as us. If both teams end the game 1-0, then who will qualify directly in the end? Who will play in the play-offs with Xiaorili?"

Upon hearing this question, the keen Lao Rong reacted instantly.

If both teams have the same goal difference, who is first and who is second?

In this era, the Chinese team is really not afraid of living a small life.

But the problem is, who wants to play in the play-offs if they can advance directly?!

What to do if the boat capsizes in the gutter?

Due to the lack of key information, even if the Chinese team entered the halftime break with a one-goal lead, Laorong's family didn't have much smile on their faces.

"Coach Xiao Zeng, you don't look happy. Is there anything you missed?"

Seeing Zeng Zheng smoking a cigarette in the toilet, Gu Mingchang asked worriedly.

"It's Coach Gu."

Zeng Zheng raised his head and took a long sip on the butt of the cigarette until it almost burned to the sponge. Then he bounced it to the ground and stomped it out with his leather shoe.

Following Zeng Zheng's movements, Gu Mingchang saw several pieces of paint peeling off the tips of Zeng Zheng's polished leather shoes.

A great national team coach, but he doesn’t even have a pair of good leather shoes.

"How is the mentality of the team members?"

"We followed coach Xiao Zeng's instructions and did not tell them the score in Doha. The players thought it was still a draw, and they are very happy now!"

Zeng Zheng nodded and asked again, "Coach Gu, how do you think the team members' fighting spirit is now?"

"I think the players are very motivated. After all, what we require is at least a 2-goal lead. Just scoring one goal now is definitely not enough!"

"What about physical strength? Who do you think can't run anymore, or is it difficult for them to last for 90 minutes?"

"Well, there's no problem with the few people at the back. I feel a little confused about the people in the front. After all, there are a few of them every sprint."

In this era, defenders are rarely required to cross half court or even assist the opponent's penalty area, while forwards are required to have extreme speed.

Therefore, after many games, the attacking midfielder and forward were replaced early due to lack of physical strength.

Of course, these questions that Zeng Zheng asked Gu Mingchang could be seen clearly through the system.

Players' talents are superficial data. When Zeng Zheng's tacit understanding with the players reaches a certain level, he will also see the opponent's specific data, including positions he is good at, skills he has mastered, etc.

But in reality, it is not clear from the outside whether some players can still run.

Some are born to be sullen, while others are due to their current state of excitement. By the time they realize they can't run anymore, they have already suffered from cramps.

In Zeng Zheng's coaching column, Gao Feng's physical fitness has almost dropped to the bottom, and left back Wu Chengying's physical fitness has also dropped by more than half.

Regardless of player injuries, Zeng Zheng had to find substitutes for these two players in advance for the second half.

I smoked another cigarette, chatted with Tani for a while, and after calculating the time, the two returned to the locker room.

Seeing Zeng Zheng return, the team members in the room immediately became silent.

After playing football for so long, I have never seen the head coach not present during halftime!

Of course, this was also done deliberately by Zeng Zheng.

Just like the head teacher is not there during self-study, the purpose is to let the team members relax and welcome the second half with a good attitude.

History has proven countless times that once a player puts on this suit, it is useless to force him to scold him, suppress him and put pressure on him. Making them more conscious can sometimes produce good results.

Just then, the bell rang.

"Coach Zeng, don't you give the players a few words?" Chen Sirong, who has been responsible for supervising discipline, reminded.

Looking at the players below, Zeng Zheng waved his hand, "There's nothing to say. Just score a few more goals in the second half! Let's go!"

"Set off!!!"

The team members cheered loudly and stood up to follow Zeng Zheng.

In the players tunnel, Zeng Zheng found Su Maozhen and turned him to his side with one arm.

"Lao Mao'er, you can't relax in the second half. You must always remember that you have a big task! Even if you can't score a goal, your header must still work for me. Do you understand?"

Hearing Zeng Zheng's extremely serious tone, Su Maozhen put away his smile and nodded immediately: "No problem, Coach Zeng!"

"By the way, you have to pay attention to your physical strength, I don't have any extra substitutions for you!"

After letting Su Maozhen go, Gu Mingchang came to Zeng Zheng again and asked in a low voice: "Coach Zeng, just tell me. Your face has been looking bad since halftime. What's going on?

"

"I have a hunch that Kuwait will definitely play hard in the second half!" Zeng Zheng sighed.

"Why?" Gu Mingchang was a little panicked after hearing this, "Didn't Saudi Arabia score a goal? As long as the winner is determined over there, even if Kuwait wins, we won't be able to advance!"

"Coach Gu, so what you think is too simple!"

Looking at the good old man in front of him, and thinking of the identity of the person holding the microphone, Zeng Zheng patiently explained:

"Saudi Arabia will never allow the same score as ours."

"Why?"

"No need to ask why? Of course it's to get first place in the group!"

"First place in the group? How do you say that?" Gu Mingchang was confused again.

"Coach Gu, you need to know more about the rules! If we can't understand the rules, why should we be coaches?!"

Zeng Zheng rolled his eyes and continued, "If we both end the game 1-0, then we and Saudi Arabia both have 13 points and a goal difference of 1. In this way, FIFA will have to look at our two teams.

The number of goals scored.”

"In terms of the number of goals scored, we are ahead. Currently, Saudi Arabia has 6, Qatar has 7, and we have 12."

"So if the points and goal difference are the same, we will be first in the group."

"Do you think Saudi Arabia will watch helplessly with 45 minutes left?"

Gu Mingchang was stunned when he heard this man.

Good guys, in the final calculation of points, we also need to calculate the goal difference and the number of goals scored.

This was never mentioned before when Qi Yousheng led the team!

"Then what will they do?"

"According to my inference, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia will definitely increase their attacks in the second half."

"There will definitely be a goal scored in Doha in a short time."

"Whoever scores the ball first will be our opponent!"

"If it's Saudi Arabia, then we have to fight them immediately; if it's Qatar, we can still have some time to breathe."

"But no matter what, we must not only withstand Kuwait's attack, but also score goals as quickly as possible!"

"Wow~~~"

As soon as Zeng Zheng finished speaking, the two of them had already walked to the players' tunnel.

What hit me was the cheers of the fans in the audience.

"China team, come on!"

"Coach Zeng, come on, we all depend on you!"

"Reach out of Asia and go to the world! We are going to France!!!"

The fans' wishes came with overwhelming voices, and Tani Meichang at the entrance of the players' tunnel broke into a cold sweat.

If it is true as Zeng Zheng said, the Chinese team is actually standing on the edge of a cliff.

A 1-goal lead was like a bowl of ecstasy soup, mesmerizing everyone.

When the enemy emerges from the fog, these players and fans who are still immersed in joy will be killed instantly and beyond redemption.

Just like the first game of the Big Ten Game in Golden State!

"Then, what are we going to do now?" Gu Mingchang asked tremblingly.

"Let all the players on the bench go to the sidelines to warm up and be ready to play at any time!"

(End of chapter)