World Cup of Great Powers

"2 to 2 Portugal? Real or fake?"

“Is this fake Portugal?”

"You didn't lie to me? We really tied with Portugal? Is that the Portugal team with Figo?"

"It's okay if Figo doesn't have that, as long as it's Portugal!"

"Ah, tsk, tsk... we are in a rhythm to win the championship!"

The result of the warm-up match against Portugal allowed the world to see the strength of the Chinese team and doubled the confidence of domestic fans.

You know, Portugal is the favorite to win the world championship this year!

We can draw 2-2 with Portugal. Does that mean that where Portugal can go, the Chinese team can also go?

With such expectations, the fans had already occupied the peninsula before the Chinese team arrived in South Korea.

Due to reasons such as climate, travel, expectations, and economic conditions, many of the top 32 teams in the World Cup came to Japan and South Korea in advance to adapt.

For example, the Danish team.

They set up the training camp directly in Xiaori and arrived at the Geshan County training camp as early as a week ago.

And he will not go to South Korea on the 27th until a training match with Tunisia on the 26th.

Having learned from previous experiences and lessons, the Chinese team follows the whereabouts of every opponent very closely.

As soon as the team arrived in Seoul, they received an overwhelming welcome.

"what's the situation?"

As soon as he got out of the car, Zeng Zheng noticed something was wrong.

When I came to South Korea before, a large number of local fans booed from outside.

But this time, everyone inside and outside were Chinese fans cheering for the team.

Could it be that just because of the World Cup, fans simply wiped out 38 counties?

"Coach Zeng, I'm so happy, so happy!"

The steward in charge of the reception held Zeng Zheng's hand and couldn't help but express his happiness.

"My wife gave birth?"

"Ah? Madam...ah no, no, not this..."

"What kind of happy event is that?"

“What a great joy for the Chinese team!”

"The great joy of the Chinese team? Bamboo shoes have been banned?"

Looking at the bamboo shoes official responsible for the reception, Zeng Zheng still resisted saying the last words in front of him.

When they arrived at the lounge, the receptionist pushed the person behind him to the front.

"Coach Zeng, this is reporter Wang from Xinhuanet."

"Coach Zeng, hello, hello."

The reporter surnamed Wang, who had a camera and press card hanging around his neck, immediately took Zeng Zheng's hand with both hands and shook it affectionately a few times.

"Hello, Coach Zeng, my name is Wang Jingcheng, you can just call me Xiao Wang."

Looking at this reporter who had crow's feet at the corners of his eyes and was probably ten years older than himself, Zeng Zheng couldn't say the word "little king" out of his mouth.

"Xiao Zeng, Comrade Xiao Wang has been following and reporting on the French team for the past month. I'll let him tell you the specific situation."

After the introduction from Manager Zhu Xie, Zeng Zheng finally understood the identity of the other party.

After a few people sat down, Xiao Wang couldn't wait to express his happiness.

"Coach Zeng, the South Koreans helped us a lot this time!"

Bangzi helped?

Zeng Zheng was confused when he heard this.

In the just-concluded Sino-Portuguese war, he was given eye drops by three South Korean referees.

After seeing Zeng Zheng's confused look, Xiao Wang further explained: "Coach Zeng, Zidane is injured!"

"Huh? Injured?"

Zeng Zheng was stunned for a moment, and then his brain quickly started to process this "unexpected surprise".

While playing a warm-up match with Portugal, the French team also played a warm-up match with South Korea in Suwon.

Because his third son was just born and he just finished playing in the Champions League, Zidane has not been able to get in touch with his teammates.

I just came to Asia a few days ago to join up with my teammates.

After reporter Wang described it, Zeng Zheng became clear.

In this warm-up match, Zidane's thigh was hit by an opponent while passing the ball in the 34th minute, and Le Maire immediately replaced him with Wiltord.

For the rest of the game, Zidane kept applying an ice pack to his left thigh, and this scene continued until the end of the game, when the French team defeated South Korea 3-2 with difficulty.

After the game, the score became irrelevant.

Zidane's injury has become the focus of fans around the world.

The French team immediately blocked the information to prevent the news from leaking out.

But as soon as I got off the plane, someone came over to congratulate me. It seemed that there was no airtight wall in this world.

"What is the specific situation?"

"Muscle strain."

When Zeng Zheng asked, Xiao Wang immediately gave a familiar professional term.

Muscle strain?

A normal muscle strain requires two to three weeks of recovery.

Even if you are in your own team, you still have to rest for three or four days.

"That is to say..."

"If nothing else happens, Zidane will not be able to participate in the opening game." Xiao Wang said excitedly,

"Because before he came to Little Day, Zidane had old injuries on his body."

"The Champions League ended late. It can be said that Zidane didn't rest at all in the past few days."

"After I got together with my teammates on my little day, I hurried to South Korea to play in this warm-up match."

"It's normal for a muscle to strain due to inactivity."

"What's more, those South Korean players don't act lightly or lightly..."

"Coach Zeng, according to our reliable internal sources, Zidane might have to waste the first two group matches, let alone the opening game!"

"No matter what, even if we estimate conservatively, at least he won't be able to play in this game with us!"

Looking at the smiles on Xiao Wang and Bamboo Shoe Manager's faces that said "the villain is successful", he also recalled the excitement of the fans outside when they got off the bus.

Zeng Zheng suddenly realized.

As the core of the French team, Zidane's absence is definitely a big blow to the French team.

Although the news has not yet been confirmed, the news alone that "Zidane was injured in the warm-up match" is enough to make fans excited.

This also explains why I couldn't see a single South Korean fan booing me just now.

You can't even squeeze in!

"Xiao Zeng, this is great news."

The manager of Zhu Xie took the opportunity to chat and said, "This is a God-given opportunity."

"There are still five or six days until the opening match. You should study carefully these days."

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Do we have a chance to give the French team..."

As he said this, the steward quietly made a downward gesture.

The meaning couldn't be more obvious.

"Okay, I know this, let me think about it more."

Zeng Zheng nodded, stood up and prepared to leave.

"Thank you Reporter Wang for working so hard to deliver the message to me. Your information is indeed extremely important to the Chinese team."

"Everywhere, this is what we should do!"

Reporter Wang smiled broadly and said, "Coach Zeng, I am a reporter when I put up my badge; when I take off my badge, I am just a fan."

"You must..."

Before he finished speaking, the manager of Bamboo Shoes on the side suddenly put his hand on Xiao Wang's shoulder.

Reporter Wang was stunned for a moment, and then realized that he had said too much.

He quickly lowered his head and expressed his apology.

...

After Zeng Zheng returned to his residence, Jin Chi and others also came over to inquire about the situation.

"What? Zidane is injured?"

"This is good news!"

"Xiao Zeng, is this news reliable?!"

Looking at the excited coaching staff in the room, Zeng Zheng waved his hand.

"Whether Zidane is playing or not, we can play how we want."

"As long as the fans outside are happy."

"What is there to say about our coaching staff?"

"We also have tactical arrangements, and we can't change them just because Zidane is injured. What's more, what if this is a smoke bomb by the French team? After all, no one can say for sure!"

Everyone's expressions perked up when they heard this.

Chi Shangbin was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a smile, picked up the tea on the side and took a sip.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, we have lived a long life in vain, and now we are not as calm as Xiao Zeng."

Shen Xiangfu also came closer at this moment, "Coach Zeng, if Zidane doesn't play, who will France play?"

"Didn't Le Maire already give the answer? Why don't we just go to Wiltord?"

"Wiltold? This guy is so fast!" Shen Xiangfu frowned.

Zeng Zheng snorted, "Although Zidane's running ability has deteriorated over the years, no one in the French team can replace him in the position of midfielder."

...

As World Cup champions, the whole world is paying attention to the French team.

Driven by Zidane's injury, all the shortcomings and weaknesses of the French team were put under the microscope by the media.

According to the top 32 column recently opened by France's "L'Equipe", without the core of Zidane, the French team may become the second-rate team in Europe.

Will it really become second-rate in Europe?

"The second-rate Europeans are not something you can deal with!"

On the training ground, Jin Zhiyang scolded the players with a serious face.

The news of Zidane's injury and retirement spread like wildfire, and the players who had heard and heard about it inevitably started to think carefully.

Although the techniques and tactics are somewhat behind the times, Jin Zhiyang's rich leadership experience is on display here.

With just one glance, he could tell that the team members were distracted.

For this reason, he wore a straw hat, held up the sun, and personally came to the sidelines to supervise the players' discipline.

The media that reported Zidane's injury and retirement were not necessarily trying to badmouth the French team, but they might also be using it to disrupt the morale of the other three teams in Group A.

"Let go, don't touch me!"

"I am a tourist, you have no right to control me!"

"If you touch me again, I'll call the police!"

...

There was a commotion outside the stadium.

After a while, Zeng Zheng returned to the court with a gloomy look.

"Xiao Zeng, what's going on outside?"

"A female reporter tried to sneak in, but was caught by the press officer, causing a scene."

"Oh, there are more and more spies these days, so we have to be careful." Chi Shangbin nodded.

Since the Chinese team arrived in Seoul, the team has had three conflicts with reporters.

You don’t know where these reporters came from, and where the “passes” they were issued were issued.

Just like the female reporter just now.

Pretend to be a tourist and try to fish in troubled waters.

"Xiao Zeng, when we are away from home, let's just play football. We can't have so many scandals like them!"

After Chi Shangbin warned him, he pinched his temples.

The World Cup is approaching, and the Chinese team is the opponent of the French team in the opening match.

These days, pressure from all walks of life comes in through various channels, but is blocked by the coaching staff and carried on their shoulders.

In the words of goalkeeper coach Xu Tao, even if you crush yourself to death, you cannot let the players be disturbed.

In addition to formal training and exhibitions these days, the players have been strictly required to refuse all interviews.

Faced with the Chinese team's "strict defense", people from all walks of life also tried their best to dig out the Chinese team's roster.

...

"Hello everyone, I'm Li Xiao, a sports reporter on the stage."

"Behind me is the training ground of the Chinese team."

"After the warm-up activities, the players first practiced passing and receiving, and then Coach Zeng arranged for the players to pass the ball with multiple players in the frontcourt."

"After that, Coach Zeng designed a relatively new training subject."

"On a small field that was 30 meters long and 30 meters wide, he divided the players into two groups. Each group had 6 people in the field and 5 people on the sidelines around the field."

"In such a small-scale group competition, what Coach Zeng constantly emphasizes is to ask the players to hit the goal when they have the opportunity."

"According to statistics, on average, there are 7 shots from both sides within one minute, and on average there will be one shot in less than 10 seconds."

"Of course, the success rate of such a shot is not very high."

"But according to my guess, Coach Zeng probably wants to cultivate the awareness of players to shoot when they have the opportunity to be within the shooting range of the opponent's penalty area."

In the crowd, two European guys in suits looked at the Chinese players on the court who were constantly trying long-range shots, and cautiously muttered in their native dialect.

"Kevin, you said the Chinese team won't win, right?"

"Win the Chinese team? Haha, even if Zidane doesn't play, the Chinese team can't even hope to beat the French team! Pierre, don't forget, this is the World Cup, not the Confederations Cup!"

"But what do I think about the training method of the Chinese team? Is it because they want to compete with the French team?"

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "What happened to the confrontation? I will leave my words here today. If the Chinese team can win, I will take off my head and let you use it as a toilet!"

"I have a toilet at home, so I don't need that thing of yours! Also, tell me the truth, how many French teams did you buy?"

"Thirty thousand pounds!" Kevin raised his chin proudly, "I sold my house and car and bought them all for the French team!"

"Thirty thousand? Oh my god, you are so brave!"

"If you are not very brave, can you come to Asia to pan for gold?"

"Kevin, I don't understand this. Do you think you are optimistic about Asian players?"

Kevin snorted softly when he heard this, "I don't care whether it's good or not. What's important is whether the bosses of the five major league clubs are interested in it."

"Okay, so that's it." Pierre nodded thoughtfully.

...

"King!"

"A 3!"

"Ha! I won!"

In the evening, the team members gathered together to play poker.

Zhang Xiaorui was very lucky and won three games in a row.

The faces of the teammates on the opposite side were all covered with notes.

"Oh, Heizi's life is too good, he has such a good hand!"

"Yes, the cards we draw are all small. Once the card is played, it will be in his hand!"

"The luck of the black cards is so good. If only the sports luck is so good in the next few days, we might be able to win for the French team!"

"Yes, if Heizi keeps doing this, we might really be able to beat the French team!"

After Zhang Huahua, Wu Chengying and Zhang Yuheng, Zhang Xiaorui, who now plays an important role in the international and national teams, has completely secured the title of "Heizi".

The teammates were all talking about it.

Zhang Xiaorui, who was surrounded in the center, was also blushing and panting.

Zhang Xiaorui couldn't restrain his excitement at the thought of being able to crush the previous world champion in the opening game of the World Cup.

It's like I've been on a high these past few days. I work extremely hard during training, and even after I go to bed at night, my eyes are wide open.

"Haha, don't worry, everyone!"

"Isn't it just the French team? What's so great about it?"

"We defeated them in the Confederations Cup! What's the point of winning again this time?"

"Don't forget, I'm still here!"

"And don't say Zidane can't play. Even if he does, what will happen?"

"Have you forgotten my nickname?"

"What are you calling?" some teammates shouted.

"I - I am called China's Maradona by the fans, nicknamed Zhang Lado..."

Before he finished speaking, the door was opened from outside.

Han Tao pushed the door open and shouted to Zhang Xiaorui expressionlessly: "Heizi, come here, Boss Zeng is looking for you."

After a while, the door of the activity room was kicked open from the outside.

"Hey, Heizi, you're back. Boss Zeng wants to tell you something..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Tie's mouth was covered by Li Jinyu.

"Zhao Junzhe, Boss Zeng wants to talk to you."

The words "Zhao Junzhe" were almost broken by Zhang Xiaorui's teeth.

"Oh." Zhao Junzhe stood up when his name was called and walked out of the room.

When the two of them crossed paths, Zhang Xiaorui's shoulder severely bent Zhao Jun, causing him to stumble.

Young Xiao Zhao grinned and quickly left the room.

The atmosphere in the activity room, which was lively just now, suddenly dropped to freezing point.

Everyone looked at each other and saw shock in their eyes.

It seems that no one on Zeng’s team is the main force!

...

As the opening game approaches, finally, on May 30, the top 32 teams have determined their teams' rosters.

The French team, which fans around the world are most concerned about, also reluctantly announced under pressure that Zidane will miss tomorrow's opening game.

When the news spread back to China, fans celebrated again.

Even fans of both Juventus and Real Madrid couldn't help grinning at this moment.

"Haha, Zidane can't even play, so what else can the French team play?"

"There is hope for us to advance this time!"

"Let the French team and the Danish team compete with each other, as long as we tie the game!"

"Yes, yes, one win and two draws, the right to qualify is in our hands, let the European teams worry about it!"

"I can't tell that Bangzi actually did something human this time!"

Compared with the scandal-ridden French team, the media around the world are obviously less interested in the "isolated" Chinese team.

Except for some East Asian media, other media just want to know the lineup of the Chinese team for tomorrow's opening game.

But it is said that even the players themselves do not know this list.

In a pre-match interview, Zeng Zheng changed from his normal routine and became eloquent in the face of hungry reporters.

"...No matter what, I think the Chinese team can at least score a point in the opening game."

Seeing Zeng Zheng's confident look on the stage, the reporters wrote furiously, wishing they could directly defeat the French team in their reports.

...

On May 31, under the gaze of hundreds of millions of affectionate eyes and in the eager anticipation of countless fans, the world-famous 2002 World Cup finally came to the fans.

Amid the cheers and blessings of the entire audience, this World Cup celebration called "From the East" brought a magnificent artistic enjoyment to the world.

The opening ceremony of this World Cup did not create a pop song that swept the world like the previous two, but it still has many unique meanings - the first World Cup in the new century, the first time that two countries united

The first World Cup held in the ancient East.

Although many modern elements were incorporated into the opening ceremony, fans are looking forward to it ending as soon as possible.

Finally, when the defending champion and the Asian champion stepped onto the court at the same time, the wonderful and grand festival that fans around the world had been waiting for for four years and lasted for four months finally began.

Judging from the scene where the players from both teams sang the national anthem at the beginning, all the French players had solemn faces. Countless victories and honors in the past four years have become more and more like a burden on them.

And what about the Chinese players on the other side?

Many of them showed childlike shyness when facing the camera.

Even though some people in the team have already experienced a World Cup, more players will make their World Cup debut today.

This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! It was my debut in the opening match, and my opponent was the previous world champion. This feeling cannot be expressed in words.

The camera flashed across the faces of the team members, and the faces of the young Jianlibao players who came to "Qinwang" four years ago were already full of vicissitudes of life.

"...The opening game has always been a very difficult game for the defending champion. After all, you were the champion four years ago. If you don't show some strength, your majesty will weaken."

"...Historically, no defending champion has been able to score a classic victory in the opening game."

"...Argentina in 1982 and 1990 lost the opening match twice, and Italy in 1986 even achieved a draw."

Sun Zhengping's plain voice told the history of past World Cup opening games.

He told the fans in a sonorous and powerful voice that the world champion is not invincible.

"The referee of this game, Boujetsem, is from the United Arab Emirates. He is the only referee among the 36 international referees who has refereed three consecutive World Cups."

"Bujesem was born in 1959. He understands Arabic, English and Urdu. He is 1.80 meters tall and weighs 80 kilograms. His occupation is a National Immigration Bureau official."

Fans may not know the significance of introducing the referee before the game, but in fact, using such an experienced referee is also a well-thought-out choice by International Pearl Curtain.

You must know that the law enforcement standards for the opening game are reduced to determine a general standard for each subsequent game.

For example, in the opening game of the 1990 World Cup, there were two red cards and countless rough fouls, which were all caused by the referee's inexperience.

After briefly introducing both teams, Sun Zhengping handed over the microphone control to Huang Jianxiang in the commentary box.

As soon as the microphone was connected, Huang Jianxiang's voice that he tried hard to suppress sounded from the screen.

"Good evening to all the viewers in front of the TV."

"I am now at the main stadium of the World Cup in Sangam-dong, Seoul, and next I will explain the opening game of this World Cup."

"We can see that the players from both sides of the opening match have begun to warm up on the court."

"The person currently appearing in the camera is Zeng Zheng, the coach of the Chinese team."

"Coach Zeng has led the Chinese team to win the World Youth Championship, Asian Games Championship, Asian Cup Championship, Olympic Bronze Medal, etc."

"It is not an exaggeration to say that Coach Zeng is the godfather of the Chinese team."

"What appears on the screen now is France coach Le Maire."

"Sitting and resting not far behind him is Zidane, the core midfielder of the French team."

"In the game against South Korea a few days ago, Zidane strained his thigh and therefore missed the opening game."

"I don't know if this accident will affect the French team's future results."

"Judging from coach Le Maire's frown, Zidane's absence still has a certain impact on the French team."

...

After a while, the players from both sides led the ball boys and slowly appeared on the stage behind the referee.

"Okay, the players from both sides have appeared."

"The formation of the French team is 4231, and the goalkeeper is Barthes."

"The four defenders are Lizarazu, Desailly, Leboeuf and Thuram."

"The two defensive midfielders are Vieira and Petty."

"The three midfielders are Wiltord, Djorkaeff and Henry."

"Trezeguet stood alone in the front line."

"For the Chinese team, Coach Zeng still ranked 4222, and the goalkeeper is Ou Chuliang."

"The four defenders are Wu Chengying, General Fan, Li Weifeng and Sun Jihai."

"The two defensive midfielders are Li Tie and Li Xiaopeng."

"The two attacking midfielders are Zhao Junzhe and Li Jinyu."

"Yang Chen and Xie Hui are two forward partners."

After saying that, Huang Jianxiang lowered his head and looked at the player position diagrams on both sides, and couldn't help but smack his mouth.

"To be honest, Coach Zeng's list is really beyond the fans' expectations."

"It is understandable that Zidane, the core of the French team's midfield, was unable to play due to injury, but Zhang Xiaorui, who can be called the core of the Chinese team's frontcourt, did not play either. This..."

"You know, Zhang Xiaorui is a direct descendant of Coach Zeng's Jianlibao."

"In this opening match, Jianlibao young players Li Tie and Li Jinyu both won."

"Only Zhang Xiaorui was put on the bench."

"Is it possible that Zhang Xiaorui is also injured? Or does Coach Zeng have other arrangements for him?"

"We don't know."

"...Okay, the athletes from both sides have taken their respective positions, and the game is about to start..."