World Cup of Great Powers

The game is over.

2 to 1, the Chinese Youth Team defeated their opponent as they wished.

Reached the Asian Cup finals for two consecutive years.

At the post-match press conference, Nishimura head coach Akihiro Nishimura said:

"In this game, I am still the same as before, asking the players to pass the ball as quickly as possible and get the ball out as quickly as possible."

"But the overall movement of the Chinese team was very good today, and their coach adopted a very special tactic for this game. Their tactic worked very well."

"This is one of the reasons why we lost."

"Another point is that not only we have begun to pay attention to the physical fitness requirements of the players, but also the Chinese team."

"Especially their right back."

"In him, we see the shadow of players from West Asia."

The West Asian player mentioned by Akihiro Nishimura is naturally Eric Mu.

As the first Frontier player to be selected into the national team, Eric Mu's performance in this game was remarkable.

The mistake and loss of the ball in the first half did not defeat this young player who was selected for the first time.

On the contrary, it aroused his stronger competitive spirit.

In the second half, whether it was defending the wings, making up for the defense in the middle, or even assisting, you can see Eric Mu's active presence.

Zeng Zheng also said bluntly: "Erik Mu is the best harvest of the Chinese Youth Team in this Asian Youth Championship!"

The results of the two semifinals were basically what the fans expected.

The host Iran team won the two-Y war at home;

The Chinese Youth Team defeated Xiaotian and defeated Japan and South Korea in the third-tier national championship games, completely completing their dominance in East Asia.

Now, the two hegemons from East and West Asia join forces in the finals to compete for the title of the strongest new generation in Asia.

Isn't this kind of battle what is described in countless historical stories?

As soon as the result of the match came out, various Iranian football and sports newspapers exploded.

These media have been waiting impatiently for a long time.

In recent years, the Iranian team has frequently failed in major competitions, and has almost no contact with the Chinese team, which has been making great progress.

The only time they defeated the Chinese team was in the group stage of the Asian Games two years ago.

But in the subsequent knockout rounds, the Iranian team lost again.

Iran's famous local "Tehran Daily" made a prediction before the start of the China-Iran championship game:

"The Chinese team showed strong strength at the beginning of this competition and showed the level that the defending champion should have."

"Although we have some reservations in subsequent games, only teams with strong strength can calculate the qualifications for each group stage."

"And the final result of the group stage was just as the Chinese team expected. They achieved the predetermined results in every game."

"In previous comments, we have always regarded the Chinese team as the biggest obstacle to our championship, because their speed and physical advantages are exactly what our team lacks. Compared with the small range of the small days,

His skills and the Iraqi team's fighting gave our youth team a headache."

"Now, the two teams have met in the championship match as expected. Therefore, the outcome of this game largely depends on the desire of both sides to win."

"Presumably our youth team will not easily give up the opportunity to win the championship locally."

Another Iranian newspaper, "Izvestia", also wrote an article commenting on this Asian Youth Championship after the game.

When the article mentioned the China Youth Team, it believed that “this is a team with distinctive characteristics.”

The United Arab Emirates' "United Newspaper" published an article titled "East Asian Football Leads in Asia".

The article believes: "China, Japan, and South Korea performed well in this Asian Youth Championship and the Asian Cup that just concluded in China, proving that East Asian football has begun to take the lead in Asian football."

When the article introduced the China Youth Team, it said: "The football team of this sports giant has been struggling to break out of the shadow of the Japanese and Korean teams."

"In this Asian Youth Championship, the Chinese team not only defeated South Korea in one fell swoop in the first game, but also defeated Xiaori again in the just-concluded semi-finals."

"It's eerily similar to the Asian Cup."

"Moreover, compared with the competition with Japan and South Korea for dominance in East Asia, the Chinese team is obviously very adaptable to the Arab team's style of play. They have never lost to a West Asian team in these two large-scale competitions."

"And their fast attacks and aggressive pressing often make it difficult for West Asian teams to cope."

"Through the Asian Youth Championship, we can see that the football gap between East and West Asia will gradually become apparent in the next few years."

"In this Asian Youth Championship, enviable new stars such as Qu Bo, An Qi, and Eric Mu have emerged in the Chinese Youth Team."

"And most teams in West Asia have poor results."

"Not only did Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman fail to qualify, but the Saudi team, the only semi-finalist in the Asian Cup, was eliminated in the qualifying round."

"It can be seen that the future of the teams in West Asia is not reassuring."

...

Regarding the upcoming Asian Youth Championship finals, except for local Iranian fans, almost no West Asian media is optimistic about the Iranian team.

In addition to the bad relationship between them, the strong strength of the China Youth Team is also in front of them.

Speaking of which, it's not that the Chinese Youth Team showed such strong combat effectiveness in this Asian Youth Championship.

On the contrary, many media believe that so far, the Chinese Youth Team has not used its full strength to fight its opponents.

Whether it was against Japan or South Korea, the Chinese Youth Team won just right.

In the words of martial arts practitioners, it's like hitting the target.

Zeng Zheng's "plan to qualify" has caused huge waves in the Asian competition.

The Iraqi coach said after watching the match between China and Japan:

"When the Chinese Youth Team faced its old rivals, they did not kill them all."

"Even the goal they conceded in the first half was like an unintentional, tiny mistake."

"It seems that this is all in Coach Zeng's plan."

“In this Asian Youth Championship, Coach Zeng performed an unprecedented ‘plan to qualify’.”

"This is unique among previous competitions in Asia."

"In the past, we could only see stronger teams facing weaker teams in major competitions such as the European Cup and World Cup. Through adjustments in the third game of the group stage, the team could enter the knockout rounds.

Get a relatively good state."

"But I have never seen a team that plans to qualify from the second group stage."

"This time, the Chinese team led by Coach Zeng taught us a lesson."

"This certainly caused me to reflect."

"Is the Chinese team already so strong now?"

"Has the Chinese team now surpassed the highest level in Asia?"

"Even if it is placed among the world's top teams, can the Chinese team be in the middle or upper reaches?"

"We don't know these speculations. Perhaps only the World Cup can test the achievements of the Chinese team in developing football over the years."

"The only thing I know at the moment is that it will have a hard time in the third or fourth place finals. This is definitely great news for Iraq."

"Facing a small day, we will avenge the Asian Cup; if we encounter the Chinese team, we will have no chance of victory."

The Iraqi coach can be said to have expressed the sentiments of countless West Asian coaches.

Since the Chinese team won the Asian Cup.

The true strength of the Chinese team is already somewhat unclear.

In some media in East Asia, it was also reported that the Chinese team belongs to the second-rate level in Asia;

However, among the countries in West Asia, some media stated that the true level of the Chinese team is already close to that of the strong European and American teams.

In addition to the actual results of the Chinese team, U19, and U16, there are also personal factors of Zeng Zheng himself.

Everyone knows.

Since taking over the coaching job in 1998, the Chinese team has gone further and further in the hands of this young man.

During this period, numerous wealthy clubs and national teams have offered their services to Zeng Zheng.

He said that after the 2002 World Cup, no matter what level the Chinese team performs or whether it enters the World Cup, they can come to coach them with the first pick.

Especially the national teams in Asia, Africa and Latin America are eager to see Zeng Zheng through.

But Bamboo Shoes obviously would not let Zeng Zheng go easily.

Zeng Zheng never had the thought of leaving.

As the old saying goes.

The revolution has not yet succeeded, and comrades still need to work hard.

Troussier also stayed in Africa for seven or eight years.

For a head coach who is committed to changing a country's football, Zeng Zheng's coaching time is still too short.

In addition, he is so young, so many countries are talking about him.

Even after many years, they still expect Zeng Zheng to coach in their country.

The most typical ones are Mexico and Paraguay. Both countries expressed their hope to sign a contract with Zeng Zheng to prepare for the 2022 World Cup.

...

After reaching the finals, the Chinese Youth Team got a rare break.

When interviewed by reporters, the team members said that although this Asian Youth Championship is fierce, they have not felt any pressure so far.

Zhang Yaokun: "I'm nervous but not nervous. With Coach Zeng here, I always believed that we were invincible! But after being out for so many days, I feel a little homesick."

An Qi: "Coach Zeng is very good to us, and I have learned a lot from him. Now there is only one game left in the Asian Youth Championship, and my goal is of course to win the championship. As for what happens next, I hope to transfer to a team

A suitable A-team for me."

Yan Song: "Nothing else to say, I'll go back and pop the champagne after we take over Iran! Haha, maybe after I go back this time, I will be the main player of the club."

During the past few days of rest, the coaching staff of the Chinese Youth Team analyzed their opponents.

Judging from the past few games, although they defeated Xiaotian in the group stage, the opponent's strength should be about the same as Iraq.

In this regard, Tang Pengju said that if he had a real fight with Iraq in the group stage, he might be able to test the opponent's strength.

But it's too late to say anything now.

The Chinese team has not played against the Iranian team for a long time.

Before this game, team leader Lang Xiaonong also specially held a pre-game preparation meeting.

The whole team is required to perform to their own level in the game, with special emphasis on style issues.

Zeng Zheng listened drowsily.

This is not a competition in Tokyo.

What style problems can there be in Tehran?

"...Although you have reached the finals and won Argentina's right to participate in the World Youth Championship."

"But at this time, domestic fans will not think about the right to participate in the World Youth Championship that you have obtained, because the results in the group stage have become a thing of the past."

"After defeating Xiaori in the semi-finals, the championship match against Iran is even more of a tough battle."

"Don't forget, this game is broadcast live to domestic fans on television. If you don't perform well on the court, I'm afraid you won't be able to explain it to domestic fans."

"I hope everyone can perform at their true level in the competition and successfully defend their titles."

Although Zeng Zheng was not interested in these outrageous remarks.

But these young people who were "attracting the attention of fans" at the scene were obviously affected.

yes!

Zeng Zheng won the Asian Youth Championship and World Youth Championship in the last term.

If they don't even win the Asian Youth Championship this time, how will they explain it when they go back?

How to face those fans who have great expectations for them?

In the final oath, the guy almost shouted the words "Vow to win the championship" with his throat broken.

October 26, Azadi Stadium, Tehran.

The venue was packed with people, and all 10,000 seats were sold out.

The first game is the third or fourth place finals, Iraq VS Little Days.

Iraq started playing offensive football.

Six minutes into the first half, Amar broke through and passed from the right. Emab received the ball at the far end and shook off the defender before passing the ball. Emad volleyed and the ball hit the goal post of Xiaori.

Starting from this ball, the Iraqi team started their offensive frenzy.

In the 16th minute, Kazuyuki Morisaki, the core midfielder of the small day, dribbled the ball in his own half but was intercepted by the opponent. Amar passed the ball to Emad.

The latter dribbled the ball straight in and hit goalkeeper Fujitani Yosuke with a clever shot.

Iraq opened the scoring.

After conceding the goal, Xiao Tian stepped up his offense and used smooth short passes to get multiple opportunities.

The Iraqi team's substitute goalkeeper Noaji was shining brightly. Although he made many mistakes in the first half, he failed to seize the opportunity. The Iraqi team led 1-0 in the first half.

In the second half, the physical strength of the Iraqi team members obviously declined, and their opponents gradually took the initiative.

In the 61st minute, Komano Yuichi took a free kick, and Tahara Yutaka, who was ambushing the far post, broke the net with a header to equalize the score.

After that, both sides took turns making substitutions in an effort to maintain the physical strength of the players on the court.

Although Xiaotian had a clear advantage, they failed to create better opportunities and the two sides had to enter overtime.

Both sides also created several opportunities in the first 10 minutes of overtime, but all failed.

When the first half of overtime reached the last minute, Nashat made a long pass from the backcourt, and the defender and goalkeeper misunderstood in defense.

After giving in to each other, Emad seized the opportunity and hit the goal with his left foot. The ball fell from the air into the net.

With this golden goal, Iraq defeated its opponent 2-1.

While winning the third place in this Asian Youth Championship, he also avenged the Asian Cup.

After a short break and clearing the court, players from both China and Iran came to the court one after another to warm up.

The championship battle for this year's Asian Youth Championship has begun.