Football: Starting from the Ronaldinho template

Chapter 79 Asian Cup Preview! Fans' Expectations! (2)

“I bought it. Didn’t I tell you a few years ago that I invested in a property right next to the subway station on the east side?”

Tian Man casually said, "It's just that we've been neighbors for so many years, and it's also close to my and your dad's workplaces, so I still feel more comfortable living here."

Although their family wasn't exactly wealthy, one of them was an accountant at a state-owned enterprise, and the other was an employee of the power grid.

Having lived in Shenzhen since the 90s, I may not have accumulated a lot of assets, but at least I am financially secure and have acquired two properties.

If it weren't for supporting Qin Ming's football career abroad, their lives would probably be much more comfortable.

"Let's buy a few more sets; they'll appreciate in value in the future."

Qin Ming smiled as he looked at the table full of dishes.

“Okay, okay, I also think it has room for appreciation. Your dad even wanted to take out a loan to buy it before.”

Tian Man agreed with a smile.

Not long after, the security door was pushed open again, and a middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses and an electric grid work uniform lifted the plastic bag he was carrying with "Guangming Pigeon" printed on it. "Hey, you guys don't know how popular their business has been these past few years. I queued for more than half an hour to buy some."

Qin Zhihong put the bag on the table, squeezed Qin Ming's arm and said with emotion, "You've gotten a lot stronger, kid. Last month you played against New Zealand and Honduras, and you didn't embarrass our Qin family!"

"I still remember when I played football with you when we were kids. You were only 9 years old and you nutmegged me. I can't believe it's been so long and you're now nutmegging Bundesliga players!"

"Haha! Does this mean your dad is about the same level as a Bundesliga player?!"

Qin Zhihong made a joke, but his eyes were full of satisfaction.

In China, people often believe that only studying can lead to success.

That's actually correct.

However, it is not an easy thing to bear the pressure of letting your child learn to play football, or even give up their studies.

He faced pressure from his elders, wife, and even colleagues when he decided to let Qin Ming pursue his dream.

People say that a son is the continuation of his father's life.
Qin Zhihong came to Shenzhen in the 90s, a city that resembles a giant casino, except that his stakes were not chips, but the dreams and youth of young people.

Unfortunately, he lost his bet.

But he never regretted that experience; on the contrary, he felt it was a treasure in his life if he had chosen to follow the established path and give up his dreams to choose a normal life.

He'll definitely regret it now.

He didn't want his son to regret it, so he made the choice for Qin Ming, sending him to Germany to pursue his dream.

Qin Ming smiled upon hearing this, a smile tinged with bitterness.

He immediately pursed his lips and decided not to think too much, just as he had once told De Bruyne: focus on the present.

He couldn't change the fact that he had traveled through time, so he could only try to make amends. As for what would happen in the future, he would deal with that in the future.

The meal ended in a cheerful atmosphere.

"I can only stay at home for a few days, as I need to train with the national team."

Qin Ming's tone was slightly apologetic.

“You’re only 17 and you’re already traveling all over the place every day. If you really can’t keep this up, give your mom a grandson to play with as soon as possible. Anyway, I’m going to retire early in a few years.”

Tian Man made a surprising statement.

Qin Ming: “.”

He suddenly remembered that it seemed quite common for young athletes to have children.

Especially those few who play fancy tricks.

Three years ago, when Neymar was 19, he had a child with his 17-year-old girlfriend.

If this happened in China, the perpetrators would be arrested and forced to work on sewing machines.

"I haven't considered that yet; I'm more focused on playing football first."

After finishing his sentence, Qin Ming casually added, "If all else fails, you two can create a new account."

Qin Zhihong and his wife exchanged bewildered glances. Tian Man, with a stern face, asked, "You were quite reserved when you were young, how come you've become so glib now? Did you learn bad habits from your teammates? I've heard that in your professional football circle..."

Qin Ming was nagged for half an hour because of a slip of the tongue, and his head was still buzzing when he returned to his bedroom.

It wasn't until dinner time that he remembered to invite his parents to Australia to watch the game, since he didn't have anything to do recently and could take his annual leave.

Besides, Qin still has some influence, so his parents' company will definitely agree.

Tian Man and Qin Zhihong discussed it and agreed. They had supported their son's football career for so many years, but they had never watched him play a game live. After thinking about it carefully, it didn't seem right.

Besides, our family's financial situation has improved, so there's absolutely no need to save this little bit of money.

Qin Zhihong was still regretting not being able to attend the last friendly match, but he never expected that he would be able to watch the Asian Cup just over a month later.

I can't wait to pack my bags right now.

He drank two extra glasses of wine that night, something he hadn't done in a long time, and he, who wasn't usually good with words, talked a lot.

"We won third place in the 1976 Asian Cup, and that's the year I was born."

"Later, I took you to the Asian Cup in 2004, but unfortunately we lost to Japan in the final."

"By the way, I remember during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, the area outside the Shenyang Wulihe Stadium was packed with people, and the beer at the roadside shops was sold out. It's a pity you were too young to come with me."

"Although we conceded nine goals in three games, everyone was determined: we thought we'd just be paying our dues in the World Cup for the first time, and we'd only get better and better in the future."

"I'm telling you this not as a father, but as a Chinese fan, and I want you to know one thing: how many people's expectations you carry."

After drinking too much, Qin Zhihong's logic became somewhat muddled.

Qin Ming grasped Qin Zhihong's hand and nodded to show that he understood, because he had once been a football fan.

Qin Ming knew he was a fan of the Chinese national team.

They always harbor a sense of anticipation and waiting, but more often than not, they are also shrouded in helplessness and disappointment.

And what they want to see is not just a winning score.

It is also the spirit of not backing down when facing powerful opponents and difficulties.

What did the old father mean by saying all this?
He wanted to let himself know that as a player for the Chinese team, even if he lost the game, he couldn't lose the support and expectations of the fans.

“Your dad is a football fan. He’s been watching since he was young. Before, he would stay up all night to watch your Bundesliga matches and fall asleep on the sofa. Even so, he never missed a single game.”

Tian Man gently fed Qin Zhihong warm water, then waved to Qin Ming and said, "Come help me get your dad to bed."

"Okay." Qin Ming secretly wiped his face.

After resting at home for a few days, Qin Ming took a taxi to the training base.

Because of the hot weather in Australia, the Chinese national football team chose to train in Shenzhen to acclimatize to the environment in advance.

"Brother Zheng, long time no see, how have you been?"

At the entrance, Qin Ming ran into Zheng Zhi and waved to him.

"The Chinese Super League has a different schedule than yours; our season ends in November."

Zheng Zhi patted Qin Ming on the shoulder and laughed, "Good lad, you've gotten quite strong again. The training intensity abroad must be high, right?"

"It's alright. We won't do high-intensity training during the season; we'll only work on our physical fitness after the winter break."

Qin Ming suddenly remembered something and continued, "I haven't congratulated you on your fourth consecutive Chinese Super League title, which has set a new historical record."

In the past two years, under Lippi's coaching, Evergrande has gradually reached its peak.

They won the AFC Champions League in 2013 and achieved four consecutive Chinese Super League titles, reaching a world ranking of 11th, surpassing many top European clubs.

"Hey, our goals don't stop there. Forget about us, you should also try to win a championship and make history!"

Zheng Zhi genuinely hopes that Qin Ming can make a name for himself in the Bundesliga.

why?
This is because it essentially establishes a brand for Chinese players, making it easier for them to play abroad in the future.

This is how Japan and South Korea gradually developed.

Moreover, he knew that the national football team's lineup was too old and urgently needed to be replaced with fresh blood, as well as a new leader who was tall enough.

"Then I'll have to work even harder!"

Qin Ming and Zheng Zhi chatted as they walked, and they saw many familiar faces, all of whom looked on with anticipation.

Asian Cup.

Held every four years, it shares the same nature as the European Championship and Copa America, so its prestige is self-evident.

Although Asian football is not as strong as European and American football, it is still a feast for Asian fans.

"We didn't have a good draw this year. We were placed in the third tier of teams, which means we're up against Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and North Korea." Zheng Zhi said with some worry in his voice. "But we should have no problem finishing second in the group. It all depends on who we get drawn in the knockout stage."

"Brother Zheng, I hope we get drawn against South Korea. Australia, as the host country, still has an advantage. If we get to the semifinals, it will be difficult. We'll probably run into Japan."

Qin Ming wasn't lacking in confidence.

However, he believes there is still a chance.

He looked at the Japanese team's lineup, and the midfield was indeed very impressive.

Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa, and Hiroshi Kiyotake – the former currently plays for AC Milan, while the latter two play in the Bundesliga.

Not long ago, Qin Ming played against Borussia Dortmund, but Shinji Kagawa didn't get to play.

However, there is only one striker, Shinji Okazaki, whose strength lies in creating opportunities through running, but his ability to pose a threat to the goal or finish the game is generally average.

If the Chinese team can execute their defense well, he is confident that they can overwhelm Sakai Gotoku on offense.

why?
Because the two had faced each other before, when Wolfsburg played against Stuttgart, Qin Ming had specifically studied his opponent, such as their defensive habits and how they coordinated with their teammates.

It can only be said that their overall strength has not yet reached the basic level of the Bundesliga, otherwise they wouldn't have been a substitute in that game.

"Since you're confident, we can't back down either. We'll fight them to the death!"

Zheng Zhi's swinging fist created a whooshing sound.

"Fight!"

Qin Ming also threw a punch.

The two walked in the rising sun, leaving behind a pair of similar shadows.

Perrin's training approach is very pragmatic, focusing on building a solid foundation first, and he explains tactics in great detail.

Although some people complained privately, Perrin simply said, "If you and I have any problems, we'll settle them later."

and then?
Irish football legend Cascarino, who played in Ligue 1 for many years, once commented on Perrin in a media interview: "His right hand is extremely powerful and firm; he doesn't need to yell, shout, or glare at you. His presence in the team's locker room is a deterrent to the players." In terms of team management, his iron-fisted approach led to his success in promoting weaker teams.

When Perrin led his honest players, he uttered another famous saying: "This is determined by individual characteristics. I firmly believe that details are the devil and details determine success or failure. That's how competitive sports are. If you have any complaints, you can tell me and we will deal with them."

Qin Ming didn't dare utter a sound, fearing that Pei Lan would deliver an indestructible grip.

Furthermore, very few of the players selected this time come from big clubs such as Guangzhou Evergrande, Shandong Luneng, and Beijing Guoan; on the contrary, many players from the relatively unknown Jiangsu Suning were selected.

Without the seasoned veterans, who would dare to throw a tantrum?
Moreover, Qin Ming's hard work influenced everyone, even the talented young man who had returned from the top five leagues became so well-behaved.

The old folks definitely need to hurry up.

The intense training lasted until the end of December before the team finished the first phase.

The second phase will not begin until we arrive in Australia.

They came to the TV station before leaving the country to prepare for recording a send-off ceremony.

In fact, these kinds of programs, which are presented to the public, are essentially a form of promotion for Chinese football and have nothing to do with so-called variety shows.

"How do I look? Do I look handsome in a suit?"

Qin Ming looked at himself in the mirror.

Although he was tall and strong, his face still looked youthful.

Wearing a suit still doesn't quite suit her.

"I think he's pretty handsome; he'd definitely attract girls when he goes out!"

Gao Lin gave a thumbs up, "It would be even better if you used some hairspray!"

Qin Ming: “.”

Why do so many center forwards in football like to use hair gel?

Is it due to a header advantage, or increased height?
After everyone had finished tidying up, the host went up on stage, took the microphone, and said:

"The Chinese national football team sets sail again! The night of Chinese football is now officially underway!"

"Yan Junling, born in 1991, is currently the tallest young man in the national team. He's walking forward and striking a really great pose!"

"Look at how Zeng Cheng, the national team's starting goalkeeper, expresses himself in front of the camera!"

"."

Perrin announced the 23-man squad for the Asian Cup by simply counting off the players.

The second to last one was Qin Ming.

The host introduced it as follows:

"The youngest player in the national team plays for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. He should be very popular in the domestic football scene recently. Anyway, I watch his games every day."

Qin Ming, dressed in a well-fitting suit, stepped forward and flashed a bright smile at the camera.

He really enjoys this kind of activity.

why?
This gave him the feeling of fighting for his country, much like the flag-raising ceremony before an ancient expedition.

He looked down at the team badge on his chest before returning to his position.

"Great, what a handsome young man!"

"The last one is Zheng Zhi, the captain of the Chinese team. As the oldest player born in the 80s, he will be participating in the Asian Cup for the fourth time!"

After everyone had made their appearance, Zheng Zhi raised a selfie stick and took a group photo for everyone.

"Three, two, one!"

"eggplant!"

Click, click, click!

As the flashbulbs went off, photos were taken, making the moment eternal.

In the subsequent interview segment, Qin Ming and Zheng Zhi were selected.

It's all because he's so popular.

Zheng Zhi is the captain.

"Qin Ming, what would you like to say to the fans now?"

the host asked.

Because he is also a fan, he was very curious about the answer.

"I think any promises made before we achieve results are meaningless!"

"We will prove it to the fans with facts!"

Qin Ming has never liked to talk big or make grand pronouncements before a match.

"It seems that you and our head coach Perrin are both very pragmatic. So what are your goals for this Asian Cup?"

The host asked another question.

"The goal is to score as many goals as possible and keep helping the team win!"

Since it was a formal occasion, Qin Ming's response was very appropriate.

In an interview, Zheng Zhi said, "We are a new team, and many players are participating in a major tournament for the first time. But there is vitality in this team, and major tournaments need this kind of vitality. We are very confident in this trip."

He has indeed felt the energy during the training sessions of the past few days.

This is the positive effect of Perrin getting rid of the old guard and bringing in a large number of young players.

Qin Ming's addition has made the team atmosphere even more enthusiastic.

Everyone is eager to perform well and doesn't want to hold the team back; they all want to achieve results in this Asian Cup.

Zheng Zhi felt that given their current form...

He should have no problem advancing from the group stage, but as for how far he can go from there, he doesn't know the answer.

But one thing is certain: this will be his last Asian Cup.

"Okay! Thank you both for the interview!"

"We also hope that the Chinese team can achieve good results in this Asian Cup, bringing joy and success to the fans!"

After the show finished recording, the host approached Qin Ming and asked for his autograph.

Qin Ming readily agreed.

(End of this chapter)