World Cup of Great Powers

Chapter 29 Zeng Zheng’s ambition

"In yesterday's match, the Chinese team defeated Kuwait with a 5-0 victory and qualified for the World Cup in France."

"In another game, Qatar scored a face-saving goal at the last minute and ultimately lost to Saudi Arabia 1-5."

"At present, all the top ten matches are over. The first place in Group A is the Chinese team, and the first place in Group B is South Korea."

"The Saudi team and Xiaorili finished second in the two groups respectively."

"According to the rules of the World Preliminaries, the two teams will compete for the third qualifying spot in the Asian region through a play-off."

"The loser will compete with South American teams for the last 0.5 qualifying spots."

The morning news anchor chattered.

It was not until the second day after the top ten that the qualifying rules for the World Cup were fully explained. Many fans only then understood the difference between the first place in the group and the second place in the group.

But all this has nothing to do with the Chinese team.

The top spot in the group is a direct ticket to France.

There are no play-offs and no final qualifying rounds.

Chinese fans only need to sit at home and watch their players competing in the World Cup next year.

The Chinese team's last-minute comeback was naturally praised at home and abroad.

In addition to praising the players for their energetic performance in the last two games, Zeng Zheng, a little-known young man, has also come into the spotlight.

There are no outstanding results and no good resume.

He is just a college student who is not a sports major. After graduation, he went abroad to work as a teaching assistant for a few years.

However, with this level, he can lead the national team to stand out in the world preliminaries.

This is a real achievement, no one can take it away!

Such an achievement immediately attracted the attention of countless media.

Invitations, endorsements, banquets and even interviews all came to Zeng Zheng.

For a time, he became the hottest celebrity in the country.

Everyone wants to know what his next goal is, and they all look forward to his performance in leading the team in next year's World Cup.

However, the day after the team qualified, Zeng Zheng stated at a press conference held in Zhuxie that he would voluntarily give up his position as head coach of the national team and return to Brazil to continue teaching.

Such news naturally caused an uproar at home and abroad.

The answer given by Zhu Xie was also very clever: Coach Xiao Zeng was originally a firefighter!

His task is to lead the team through the last two World Cup qualifying matches.

After the world preliminaries are over, it's natural to go back to where you came from.

This sounds right at first glance.

But the problem is that Zeng Zheng's coaching this time is not just a formality, he has made real achievements.

Isn't it too unreasonable to ask him to dismiss the get out of class now? Bamboo shoes are too unethical, right?

Isn’t this how you pick peaches?

For a time, countless netizens and fans petitioned Zhuxie, hoping to keep Zeng Zheng and continue to lead the national team.

But just as the fans' quarrel became more intense, an anti-Zeng political trend quietly emerged.

He is too young, has little experience, is discordant within the team, and is headstrong and conceited.

These four points became the breakthrough point for criticizing Zeng Zheng.

Coupled with the "official reports" from some mainstream media, fans didn't know which side to support for a while.

Of course, it is unknown whether there are bamboo shoes behind this that are adding fuel to the fire.

At this time, Zeng Zheng was sitting behind the desk, listening to Xu Fang's teachings.

"Xiao Zeng, I really have you. I didn't expect that the eliminated team would be able to make a comeback for you!"

Looking at Zeng Zheng's suspended back behind the table, Xu Fang's eyes were filled with relief.

"If Saudi Arabia had scored the final goal instead of Qatar, I might not have been able to qualify now! I'm just lucky." Zeng Zheng said modestly.

"Haha, Qatar? Qatar is really going to kill us!" Xu Fang sighed.

When he thought about that game in Golden State, his heart ached.

“But it’s true that Qatar succeeds and loses.”

"If Qatar hadn't defeated Iran, we wouldn't have qualified as first in the group."

"Xiao Zeng, you did a very good job this time. Chairman Yuan praised you many times at the meeting!"

Zeng Zheng chuckled.

I objected to the bamboo shoe arrangement time and time again.

Not only did he harden his bamboo shoes in front of Wang Junsheng, but he also said a lot of unpleasant things in public.

It's no wonder that Zhu Xia likes such a "prickly head"!

Seeing that Zeng Zheng was disapproving, Xu Fang's eyebrows became even more appreciative.

"Xiao Zeng, I have to say that you did a really good job of retreating from the rapids this time!"

"Throughout the ages, many young people cannot see through this relationship, and they don't even know how they died in the end."

"But don't worry, Chairman Yuan will not forget you once you hand over your position."

"If there is a chance next year, it won't be difficult to transfer you to the National Youth League or something like that."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Zheng quickly interrupted Xu Fang's promise.

"Uncle Xu, isn't this different from what we promised before?"

Seeing that Zeng Zheng did not change his tone, Xu Fang looked troubled.

"Xiao Zeng, Zhu Xie promised you yes, but the matter you mentioned is not decided by Zhu Xie!"

"Even if I'm still in my position, I don't have any say."

"Everyone can see how well the four boys played in this world preliminaries. The water here is really deep now! If the Bamboo Shoes are serious, those guys will probably knock the roof off the Bamboo Shoes building."

Even though Xu Fang said this, Zeng Zheng still shook his head with determination on his face.

"Uncle Xu, I still say what I said, this is my only request."

"And I also know that you have your difficulties, so I never thought about letting you have a talk."

"What I mean is that if you need your bamboo shoes to step in to check, you have to stand by me; if you can't control it, I will deal with it myself. What do you think?"

Seeing that Zeng Zheng was still so stubborn, Xu Fang had a sad look on his face.

Didn't he know that Zeng Zheng's proposal would be beneficial to the development of Chinese football in the next ten years, but the key is that the water here is too deep, and he was afraid that Zeng Zheng would be trapped in it and unable to extricate himself.

Xu Fang also loves talents very much and doesn't want a good young man like Zeng Zheng to be entangled in such trivial matters, even accompanying himself in it.

Looking at Zeng Zheng's extremely determined eyes, Xu Fang tried out for the last time: "Xiao Zeng, if it doesn't work, how about I tell Chairman Yuan to transfer you to the National Olympics? There are kids there who are just like you.

You happen to have a common language.”

"No need, Uncle Xu. I have my own path to take. The national coach has no attraction for me at all."

"All right!"

Seeing that Zeng Zheng refused to let go, Xu Fang, who had been trying to persuade him, also let out a long sigh.

"Xiao Zeng, Chairman Yuan has already told me about your request."

"Oh? What did Chairman Yuan say?"

"He said that if you can really do it, he will give you an A-B quota. Everything else is up to you."

"A-B? Ha." Zeng Zheng sneered, "Chairman Yuan is so generous. I thought he asked me to start from Class B!"

Xu Fang couldn't hear Zeng Zheng's sinister tone, but due to his status, he could only console him, "Xiao Zeng, don't get excited, you have to understand Chairman Yuan's good intentions!"

"And I support this decision."

"Think about it, how old is the oldest of the Jianlibao kids?"

"Can they adapt to having their A's removed all at once?"

"It's better to go to A and B for a year. If you are strong enough, you will naturally be promoted."

"Okay! I agree!"

Before Xu Fang could finish speaking, Zeng Zheng suddenly said loudly.

"A B is A B."

"As long as you don't do anything else by then!"

"Don't worry! Uncle Xu will give you a big guarantee on this matter!" Xu Fang patted his chest, "As long as you can handle all the forces involved in Jianlibao, isn't it just an A-B quota? Uncle Xu is willing to risk this.

I’ll save my life for you too!”

Seeing Zeng Zheng's desperate expression, Xu Fang couldn't help but soften his heart.

"But I would like to remind you that Jianlibao will return to China in the middle of next year."

(End of chapter)