Green Field Eunuch

Chapter 125 Warm-up Match

The 2010 World Cup is about to start in June, and the reason why the Chinese national football team came to Reunion Island is for the warm-up match against France on June 4.

Since the Chinese national football team was eliminated from the World Cup early on, domestic media could only focus on this warm-up match. After all, the national team's performance has been quite good since Gao Hongbo took over.

More importantly, Shan Yongzhuo has also joined the national team. As the undisputed number one star in China, fans and the media have high expectations for his performance.

Shan Yongzhuo ignored all of that and met some acquaintances in Reunion Island.

At a fine restaurant in Saint-Denis, Shan Yongzhuo and Mexes had dinner together. Thanks to his outstanding performance last season, Mexes had finally made it into the French national team to participate in the World Cup.

However, Shan Yongzhuo didn't want to dampen his confidence; in his memory, this French team's fate wasn't very good.

Mexes, on the other hand, has great confidence in the French team.

"Although we don't have Zidane, we have Gourcuff, who is the new Zidane of France, as well as Ribery and Anelka. France has a strong chance of winning the championship."

Dan Yongzhuo pursed his lips, "Okay, I hope so. I just hope you guys don't come in last place in your group."

Mexes rolled her eyes. "Can't you at least wish me well?"

"Alright, Philip," Shan Yongzhuo said helplessly, "I hope you'll have a chance to play in the World Cup."

"..."

The two had dinner together and then parted ways, since both teams were in training camps, and the French team also had the World Cup to participate in, so they didn't have much time to spend alone.

After a week of training, the two teams will begin their warm-up match.

France was the runner-up in the last World Cup. Although with Zidane's retirement, the French team has entered an era of generational change.

However, the French team is still highly regarded in this tournament.

With Gourcuff's strong performance, the French team has shaken off its slump. Coupled with a large number of stars such as Ribery and Anelka, this French team is still considered a favorite.

However, Shan Yongzhuo still has some impression of this World Cup.

Gourcuff's performance at the World Cup proved to be unreliable, and Domenech's control over the team was almost out of control. Then Anelka, an unstable factor, emerged, and Malouda and others also jumped out. This French team became a laughing stock around the world.

One Mexes can't change these things, and Shan Yongzhuo couldn't help but mourn for his friend's first World Cup journey.

France fielded its strongest lineup for this warm-up match.

In defense, there are four key players: Abidal, Mexes, Gallas, and Evra.

The midfield consisted of Ribery, Gourcuff, Toulalan, and Malouda, while the forward line featured Anelka partnering with Govou.

Just looking at this lineup, it's truly star-studded, with Ribery, Malouda, Anelka, and Evra all being world-renowned players.

On the other hand, apart from Shan Yongzhuo, the combined value of the entire Chinese team is less than that of Nicolas Anelka.

Finally, the game began.

After France regained possession, they launched an attack in China's half.

Following Gao Hongbo's instructions, the Chinese team retreated to a defensive line. Even Gao Lin, Shan Yongzhuo's strike partner, retreated to the vicinity of his own penalty area, leaving only Shan Yongzhuo slowly running to the front.

The French team is far stronger than the Chinese team. In the first wave of attack at the start of the game, Malouda broke through to the byline on the wing and sent in a cross. Fortunately, Zeng Cheng was well positioned and blocked the ball with his left leg.

France continued to control possession and attack, while the Chinese national team fought desperately to defend.

Dan Yongzhuo, who was in front, seemed rather relaxed.

However, because of his presence, Mexes was forced to stay behind and keep an eye on him at all times. As a teammate, Mexes knew Shan Yongzhuo's strength very well. He knew how much of a threat Shan Yongzhuo would pose once he got the ball.

"Hey, can you go back to your half?" Mexes said with a wry smile, "I really want to attack too!"

"No way, I want to score, Philip." "..."

"Can't you just go easy on me?" Mexes said in a low voice. "It won't make much of a difference anyway. If you go easy on me, it will give me the illusion that I've defended against you, and then I can secure my starting center-back position."

Shan Yongzhuo smiled and said, "No way, Philip, I've finally met you, and scoring goals has become so easy. How can I let you get away with this?"

"Single! You bastard!" Mexes growled, though he clearly lacked confidence. "My strength is also very strong, you know..."

"Okay, okay, but waterproofing is out of the question."

"Damn it, Shan, we're best friends."

"Philip, you should rely on your strength to defend against me."

"If I could defend against you with my strength, would I need to waste my breath arguing with you here?"

"..."

“Philip, you’re absolutely right.”

The two chatted back and forth, seemingly unrelated to the competition.

The CTV commentator explained, "After the match started, Shan Yongzhuo was being defended by his Roma teammate, Mexes. They are reportedly good friends, and we could see them talking about something after the match began..."

"However, as a teammate, Mexes should know Xiaoshuan very well, so Xiaoshuan will probably have a tough time in this match..."

In reality, it wasn't just difficult for Shan Yongzhuo, it was extremely difficult.

On the one hand, although he joked about it, Mexes knew Shan Yongzhuo's habits very well, and his defense against Shan Yongzhuo was indeed quite effective.

On the other hand, the Chinese national football team was completely dominated on the field. In the first 15 minutes of the game, the possession rate was 75% to 25%, and the Chinese team even had a hard time getting into the frontcourt.

Moreover, the French team scored a goal in the 12th minute, but unfortunately it was an offside goal.

Even so, it still made the Chinese team players nervous.

Shan Yongzhuo was also frustrated, but he knew there was nothing he could do but wait patiently.

Fortunately, the opportunity came soon. In the 16th minute, Deng Zhuoxiang's shot from outside the box was blocked by goalkeeper Lloris and went out of bounds, giving the Chinese team a corner kick.

Shan Yongzhu smiled at Max, "Philip, I'm sorry."

Mexes was puzzled, then he saw Shan Yongzhuo walk towards the corner kick spot, and then he suddenly realized what was going to happen.

"Watch out, this guy's going to shoot straight at the goal! To the far corner!"

Mexes loudly reminded Loris, his expression very serious.

However, Loris didn't take it to heart.

A direct goal from a corner kick?

What a joke!
This requires not only skill but also luck; it's not that easy.

However, the next moment, Loris paid the price.

The corner kick taken by Shan Yongzhuo soared high into the air, spun rapidly, and then suddenly plummeted, heading straight for the far corner.

"Damn, it really was a shot?"

When Lloris realized what was happening, he quickly retreated from the near post, but the ball was falling too fast. It bounced off the goal line, over Lloris's arm as he fell to the ground, and went straight into the goal.

1 is better than 0!

(End of this chapter)