Football: I am only 16 years old, and you want me to retire and make a comeback?

Chapter 860 The First Battle Arrives! China VS Argentina!
The fact that the Chinese team leader was sacrificed before the match even started seems like a bad omen.

However, everything should be viewed in a relative way. From the perspective of the "sacrifice" approach, Li Tie's passing could very well be a good thing for the Chinese national football team.

Hopefully, Tie Ge can cheer for the team he used to work for from heaven!

……

Dongqiudi (a Chinese sports betting platform) is buzzing with discussion: a detailed comparison of various statistics on the Chinese national football team and Argentina.

1. China's expected starting lineup value: €3.25 million > Argentina's expected starting lineup value: €2.99 million.

2. Composition of Chinese fans: China, Manchester United, Dortmund, England, Netherlands, Portugal > Composition of Argentine fans: Argentina, Barcelona, ​​Paris Saint-Germain.

3. China's total number of Golden Ball awards: 4 < Argentina's total number of Golden Ball awards: 5.

4. Number of Chinese players who sacrificed themselves before the match: 3 > Number of Argentine players who sacrificed themselves before the match: 0.

There is a lot of objective data. If we only look at this objective data, the gap between the Chinese team and Argentina is not that big.

However, the author of this comparative article was quickly criticized because he was suspected of being biased towards the Chinese team.

If you work diligently and practically, these so-called "data comparisons" are meaningless.

Believe in Tang Qiuwang, believe in the Chinese team!
Believe in the Emperor's Armor, believe in the light!

……

On the 22nd, the day of the competition.

Lusail Stadium.

The stadium, with a capacity of 8, was bustling with activity, as Chinese fans sang songs outside the stadium, showing a clear readiness for action.

CCTV

"Go China!!!"

The fan shouting at the camera is someone everyone recognizes; he's a very famous Chinese team fan: He Sheng.

During the 2017 World Cup qualifiers, He Sheng shouted "RNM is valuable," instantly becoming a football internet celebrity.

"The fans watching live are also very excited."

"Mr. He, what are your thoughts on today's match?"

"We have to keep going! Win or lose, we have to show our fighting spirit in the first game!"

"Yes, we must show our strength!"

He Sheng's remarks were supported by the fans around him.

"Argentina is indeed very strong, there's nothing we can do about it, but that's how the draw is, and as fans, all we can do is support them."

As a long-time fan, it's clear that He Sheng has a good mindset: "0-2, 0-3 or even 0-4 is fine, but we hope to see the national team players perform well in this match and bring out their full potential!"

"Yes! That's right!"

"The score doesn't matter, we must bring out our full potential!"

The reporter nodded: "Yes, it seems that our fans here are quite tolerant of the Chinese players and very understanding of the draw results."

"That's right, just bring out your full potential."

He Sheng squeezed forward to get closer to the microphone: "The problem with the Chinese team is that they rely too much on Tang Ye. In every major tournament, apart from Tang Ye, the other players tend to falter and can't perform to their true potential. So I think the key to this match isn't the score. Football is about winning and losing! We accept losing to Argentina. The main thing is that the players on the field can't falter and have to bring out their full potential. That's how we'll have a chance later!"

"hope?"

The reporter caught the key phrase in He Sheng's words: "So what do you think is the hope?"

"This is it."

He Sheng counted on his fingers as he analyzed his ideal scenario with reporters and fans at the scene: "First of all, in the first game, we'll lose to Argentina, but that doesn't matter. Actually, we don't need to look at goal difference or anything like that. We just need to find our rhythm in the game."

"The second match is against Germany. Germany is much stronger than when we played Russia, so we're not aiming to win. A draw would be fine."

"We finally beat Wales, with 4 points from 3 group stage matches, and advanced to the knockout stage!" He Sheng swung his arms upwards, displaying great nonchalance.

"Wow!!"

"Ha ha!"

He Sheng's remarks drew laughter from the fans around him, who even started to jeer.

The plan was too idealistic!

However, this is exactly the result that Chinese fans hoped to see.

They withstood the pressure of the "group of death" and advanced to the knockout stage!

Isn't this even more exaggerated than the Russian miracle?
"Germany can't win, can they?"

Someone said something, and He Sheng immediately turned his head away, followed quickly by the reporter's camera.

"It is indeed difficult, but I think there is still a chance."

"Back when Russia was in power, nobody said China could beat Germany, right?"

"What we need is a miracle. If you don't believe in miracles, why are you even watching football!"

"that's right!"

"Draw with Germany!"

Wow!!!

……

Dongqiudi (a popular sports betting platform) is buzzing with discussion: What do you think? Zhiqian Ge (a popular sports commentator) He Sheng, in an interview, stated: "China drew with Germany and defeated Wales, accumulating 4 points and advancing to the knockout stage."

He Sheng is a representative of idealism, but to be honest, many Chinese fans actually share his thoughts.

Despite being in the group of death, fans, especially football fans, always believe in miracles.

So what if we're down after 90 minutes? There are countless examples of stoppage-time equalizers and comebacks in history!

"Team China!"

"come on!"

"Team China!"

"come on!"

"come on! Come on!!"

"..."

Tang Ye leaned against the wall of the players' tunnel, where he could clearly hear the shouts of the fans in the stands and clearly recognize his own name.

He reached into his coat pocket, wanting to take out a piece of chewing gum.

Looking at his hands, Tang Ye realized that they were trembling.

"Hiss, hiss..."

"call……"

"How are you?"

Wu Lei, who had just returned from the restroom, looked at Tang Ye and took the initiative to give him a hug.

"it's okay no problem."

Tang Ye pushed Wu Lei away: "There's no problem at all, it's fine."

"go in."

"..."

"I know you're all under a lot of pressure right now, and I am too, in fact, I'm under even more pressure than you!"

Escriva roared in the locker room, "We've been preparing for this match for so long, so don't hold back and give it your all!"

"A billion people will be watching you on TV then, yes, a billion! We may lose the game, but we will play our own style of football!"

"The Chinese team should have a chance!"

As Eskeriva spoke, Tang Ye leaned against the cabinet behind him, clenching his teeth tightly.

As a four-time Ballon d'Or winner, he has never been so afraid of a game.

The opponent was Messi, who had won five Ballon d'Or awards in his career. However, this was not the source of his fear. Tang Ye was afraid of the Argentine national team as a whole, with Messi as its representative.

Group C in the group stage consisted of four teams, clearly divided into different tiers; lower-ranked teams were expected to yield to higher-ranked teams. Argentina was the undisputed champion of Group C, finishing first.

As the third-placed team in Group C, China is two levels below Argentina, which gives you an idea of ​​how difficult it is.

Tang Ye took off his coat and put his hand back into his pocket.

Take out a piece of chewing gum and tear open the packaging.

Put the chewing gum in your mouth and bite it in half with your teeth.

Tang Ye made a decision, a very important decision.

He's at his wit's end and needs to challenge Argentina, the top team in Group C.

"Come!"

Tang Ye stood up from the stool: "Let's do it!"

……

The No.1 trending topic: China vs. Argentina.

No. 2: China's first match in the World Cup.

No. 3: Tang Ye vs. Messi.

No. 4: China's national football team in the World Cup.

No. 5: Group stage match between China and Argentina.

"China Media Group, China Media Group! Good evening, everyone!"

"This is a live broadcast of the first round of Group C matches in the Qatar World Cup, featuring the Argentine national team against the Chinese national team!"

"As you can see, both teams' players are already ready in the player tunnel!"

The red and blue-white colors created a striking contrast, and both captains, Tang Ye and Messi, who stood at the front of the team, wore their respective armbands.

"Tom!"

Upon hearing Messi's voice, Tang Ye turned around, and the two bumped fists in front of the camera, followed by a hug.

"There were a total of 9 Ballon d'Or awards in this match..."

"Haha, yes!"

"I believe that the viewers in front of the screen are just as nervous as we are right now. If nothing unexpected happens, this should be the biggest challenge that the Chinese team has faced in the World Cup group stage, without exception!"

……

"China!"

"China!"

“China!”

"TangYe! TangYe! wow!!!"

With nearly 9 seats filled, and thanks to the support of Portuguese and Manchester United "foreign fans," Chinese football fans turned the Lusail Stadium into their home ground, hoping that their cheers would give the Chinese players on the field some encouragement!

Holy crap, you're sweating buckets just watching the entrance? Is this your level of performance, World Cup?!

[I joined the fandom in 2019, missed Russia, now I have to watch the live broadcast in Qatar. Go China!]

[Nine Ballon d'Or awards in one game? Isn't that more exciting than any opening match?]
[Argentina's starting lineup, Messi paired with Lautaro? Are they going to play a four-defender, four-midfielder formation? Are they just not giving Tang Ye any chance?]

To be conservative, losing by two goals would be a success, losing by three goals would be acceptable. It all depends on how Emery handles things. I'd be willing to trade 10 years of my life for the Chinese national team to advance to the knockout stage.

[Could I give Eden a suggestion? Go straight to the opposing bench and take down Scaloni. That way, Argentina will be one less coach.]

"Now, let's play the national anthem of the People's Republic of China!"

"The March of the Volunteers"

"Now..."March of the Volunteers"!"

Are you nervous? (Spanish)

Hearing the voice, Tang Ye looked down at the Argentinian caddie he was holding hands with: "No."

"Ta-da! Ta ...

"Ta-da! Ta-da!"

"Now, let's play the national anthem of the Republic of Argentina..."

"..."

Clap clap clap clap!
Clap clap clap!

Volunteers quickly carried the national flag off the field, and the players dispersed.

Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning stood in the center circle; the Chinese team was the one to kick off today's match.

Tang Ye squeezed Zhang Yuning's shoulder muscles hard with his hand: "It's okay, relax."

"Beep!!!"

“The game begins!”

"Now I will introduce the starting lineups for both sides. First up is the home team, Argentina! Wearing blue and white striped jerseys and white shorts, they will attack from right to left on the screen!"

Argentina (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Damian Martinez
Defenders: Molina, Cristian Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico
Midfielders: Di Maria, De Paul, Paredes, Alejandro Gomez

Forwards: Messi (C), Lautaro Martinez.

Head Coach: Scaloni
"Then comes the away team, our Chinese national team!"

"Um, Wu Xi, stop the ball and pass it to Tang Ye next to you."

"No problem... Take a look, wow, it's here!"

Not long after the match began, before the commentators had even started introducing the away team's starting lineup, Tang Ye, who had the ball, immediately launched a long pass with his back to goal, aiming directly at Wu Lei, who was making a run down the right flank.

"The Chinese team's attack was very decisive!"

"Wu Lei, stop the ball!"

Wu Lei slowed down and controlled the ball, his control eliciting cheers from the fans in the stands.

The Chinese team players seem to be in good form so far, with Wu Lei starting to move closer to the center.
"here!"

Zhang Yuning went over to provide support, but was immediately spotted by Paredes and Lautaro, who was tracking back.

[The person under asylum: Wu Lei]

[Vision Range: 68 → 74]

[Asylum Recipient: Zhang Yuning]

[Vision Range: 63 → 67]

Snapped!
Wu Lei seized the opportunity and passed the ball to Zhang Yuning, who then launched a through pass forward.

Wu Lei accelerates and gets the ball!
"Wow!!"

After a one-two pass in the attacking third, Wu Lei received the ball and quickly moved towards the penalty area, preparing to make adjustments.

Otamendi came up and pressed his body against Wu Lei...

Although it was only one person defending, Otamendi almost completely restricted Wu Lei, and in the end, the Chinese striker had to dribble the ball out of bounds himself.

Beep!
Argentina gets a goal kick.

"Beep beep beep!"

"come on! Come on!"

"Wu Lei is awesome! Holy crap, that's how you play!"

"Take them down! Go for it!"

……

PS: There's more.

(End of this chapter)