r18novel Chapter 21 Next Opponent
Chapter 21 Next Opponent
From the moment the match ended, the news of the Chinese national football team qualifying for the next round spread like wildfire across China, becoming a hot topic of discussion among hundreds of millions of Chinese people.
On every street corner, people were talking about this miraculous victory, about the young coach Ye Xian, and about every hard-working national football player.
Whether it's a newsstand on the street or a bulletin board in the neighborhood, the headlines are all about the Chinese national football team qualifying for the World Cup.
Online, "China's national football team qualifying," "Ye Xian's legendary status," and "Yang Chen's first goal" are the most popular topics, and their popularity remains high.
It's fair to say that the comment sections of every related post were filled with cheers and blessings, brimming with the Chinese people's love and expectations for Chinese football.
Domestic media outlets were in an uproar.
They began to report on this historic glory from all angles and perspectives, giving the Chinese team the highest praise.
That evening's "News Broadcast" broke with convention, dedicating a full three minutes to a special report on the Chinese national football team's victory over Türkiye and their advancement to the World Cup round of 16!
CCTV's cameras continuously played footage of Yang Chen scoring a goal, the players celebrating, and Ye Xian's composed command.
The commentator spoke in a solemn and impassioned tone:
"At 17:30 Beijing time today, the Chinese national men's football team defeated the strong Turkish team 1-0 in the group stage of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, thanks to Yang Chen's only goal."
"With this, the Chinese team finished second in their group with 4 points, successfully advancing to the round of 16!"
"China's football team made it to the knockout stage for the first time in the World Cup finals, creating a new glory for Chinese football!"
"Mr. Milutinovic and his young assistant coach Ye Xian, with their precise tactical arrangements and excellent on-the-spot command, led their team to fight tenaciously and strive for the top, demonstrating the spirit of a great power with their strength..."
This is truly an affirmation from official media.
The last time the Chinese national football team appeared on CCTV's evening news was in October 2001, when the team defeated Oman to qualify for the World Cup.
However, the news broadcast lasted less than a minute at that time.
This time, not only did they break the broadcast time record, but they also specifically mentioned Ye Xian's name.
This shows that there are knowledgeable people about football within CCTV!
If we only mention Milutinovic and Yang Chen, many Chinese fans will likely be dissatisfied, and even the national team itself will not be happy...
If CCTV's evening news program made an exception to report on it, other print media will naturally follow suit.
The following day, the People's Daily published a commentator's article on its front page entitled "Chinese Football: Emerging from its Cocoon and Becoming a Butterfly," which stated:
"From repeated failures to qualify for the World Cup to now standing in the round of 16, every step Chinese football has taken has been difficult yet determined."
"Milu and Ye Xian's strategic planning, along with the players' tenacious fighting spirit and never-give-up attitude, have given us hope and a future for Chinese football."
"This victory is not just a victory in a single match, but a victory for the spirit of Chinese football, a reward for the perseverance and passion of hundreds of millions of Chinese fans..."
Sports Weekly published a special edition, dedicating eight full pages to a detailed analysis of this historic victory, with particular emphasis on praising Ye Xian's tactical genius:
「从对阵巴西时的5-4-1顽强防守，到对阵土耳其时的4-3-3惊世变阵，叶贤只用了两场比赛，就展现了超越年龄的沉稳与战术洞察力。」
"He withstood external doubts and pressure, accurately identified the opponent's weaknesses, boldly adjusted tactics, and led the national team to break out of the predicament. Such a young coach deserves all applause and respect."
Major local TV stations also suspended their regular programming to broadcast reports on the national football team's qualification, including inviting football legends and commentators to analyze the matches and discuss Ye Xian's coaching ability and the players' outstanding performance.
Foreign media have also completely changed their attitude.
The Guardian: "Chinese football has created a World Cup miracle, and they deserve all the applause."
Asahi Shimbun: "Attention! Chinese football has become an Asian force to be reckoned with."
Turkish media lamented, "We underestimated the Chinese team; we have nothing to say about this loss."
Even the usually stubborn Herridon gave in.
Having returned to China, he released an apology video through the media:
"My previous criticisms of the national football team and Coach Ye Xian were my mistake."
"Seeing them fight so hard to make it into the top 16, I feel deeply ashamed."
"I am proud of this national football team, proud of Coach Ye Xian, and proud of Yang Chen's goal."
"I hope they can continue to create miracles in the knockout stage. I will always cheer for them..."
When Ye Xian saw the video, he simply smiled.
There is an old Chinese saying: "Those who understand the times are heroes."
Whether He Lidong is a genius or not is unknown, but he is certainly pragmatic.
After all, he couldn't go abroad to make a living yet; he still needed to earn a living in China...
Of course, Ye Xian remained calm despite the frenzied praise from the outside world.
After a night of revelry.
The following afternoon, Ye Xian, together with Milutinovic, organized the Chinese national football team players to watch the match between Japan and Tunisia.
That's right, they need to start preparing for the next match, the round of 16 knockout stage!
According to the schedule of this World Cup, the second-place team in Group C will face the first-place team in Group H.
Group H consists of the host country Japan, Russia, Belgium, and Tunisia.
After two rounds, Japan has one win and one draw with 4 points, Russia has one win and one loss with 3 points, Belgium has two draws with 2 points, and Tunisia has one draw and one loss with 1 point.
In fact, Milutinovic, Jin Zhiyang, and Chi Shangbin all believed that the winner of the match between Russia and Belgium would be the first in Group H.
Although Japan is currently ranked first, it may not be able to beat Tunisia, so it could fall to second place or even be eliminated.
Therefore, the match to watch is Russia vs. Belgium.
However, Ye Xian insisted that the Japanese team would have no problem defeating Tunisia, so they had the highest probability of winning the group!
Everyone has no choice but to trust him—Ye Xian's judgment has always been accurate!
As for Ye Xian, this is certainly something he can guarantee.
His time travel has only affected the situation in Group C so far, and has nothing to do with the other groups, so it will definitely proceed according to the "original script".
Like the other group stage matches that have already ended, there were no surprises.
For example, defending champions France from Group A were eliminated in a shocking upset, South Korea from Group D topped the group, Italy from Group G was relegated to second place, and Argentina from Group F shouldn't cry for them...
So watch Japan's match carefully; Japan is definitely China's next opponent!
really.
After the match began, the technically gifted Japanese team completely controlled the situation on the field, with a possession ratio of 6 to 4 and far more shots on goal than Tunisia.
In the 48th minute, Hidetoshi Nakata made a through pass to the right side of the penalty area, Takayuki Suzuki made a forward run, and Buzaini cleared the ball with a sliding tackle, the ball bouncing to the edge of the penalty area.
Hiroaki Morishima unleashed a right-footed shot from 12 meters out, the ball finding the top left corner of the net, giving Japan a 1-0 lead.
In the 74th minute, Daisuke Ichikawa delivered a precise cross from the right wing, and Hidetoshi Nakata headed the ball into the far corner from 6 meters out, making it 2-0 for Japan!
This is the final score of the match.
In another match, Belgium narrowly defeated Russia 3-2 to secure second place in their group.
Thus, Belgium will face Brazil in the round of 16.
The Chinese team, on the other hand, will face the host team, Japan!