Chapter 1

"CCTV, CCTV! Dear viewers, welcome to this focus match of Group B in the 20th World Cup in 2014. This match is between China and Chile." Duan Xin raised his voice in front of the TV.

Because he was doing live commentary, his voice was slightly different from when he commentated on Bundesliga matches. His emotions were also noticeably more excited.

"...We have invited our familiar old friend, Teacher Zhang Lu, to be the commentary guest for this match..."

Zhang Lu's voice appeared on the screen: "Hello everyone!"

"We can see that the Arena Pantanal, which can accommodate 42,500 people, is full of spectators today. Judging from the color of the jerseys, Chilean fans still make up the majority, after all, they have the home advantage... But we are very happy that there are also many Chinese fans. They are waving the five-star red flag and are very conspicuous in the stands... In addition, it is almost 7:00 PM local time, and the temperature is lower than during the day, there is also wind, the temperature is pleasant, very suitable for outdoor sports..." Duan Xin briefly introduced the situation, and then chatted with Zhang Lu about the game.

"Zhang Lu, what do you think of this game? Zhou Yi is not on the starting list for this game..."

"Yes, of course, Zhou Yi's absence has a great impact on the strength of the Chinese team, after all, Zhou Yi has always been the core of the team's offense and defense. But I don't think this means that we have no way to face Chile. Coach Lippi is a very skilled head coach, and his experience can make up for some of the impact of Zhou Yi's absence to some extent. The Chinese team has been practicing defensive counterattacks, and I believe this game should also use this tactic. The Chinese team is not without opportunities, but there will definitely not be many opportunities, so the efficiency of using opportunities is very important..."

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While Duan Xin and Zhang Lu were talking eloquently, the starting players of both sides had already gathered in the player tunnel.

The others had to go to the bench and the coaching staff to take their seats first.

Zhou Yi, wearing the Chinese team's sports jacket and sneakers instead of football shoes, walked over from the back of the tunnel. Then he high-fived, greeted, and encouraged his teammates who were about to play.

While he was doing this, the Chilean players were also watching him.

As the most well-known and strongest player in the Chinese team, having just won the Champions League title, he was the focus of attention wherever he went.

But now the Chilean players looked at Zhou Yi with ease and relief—fortunately, Zhou Yi was injured, so they didn't have to face him in the game, otherwise he would really be a headache...

Since they didn't have to play against each other, they didn't mind being friendly, and there was no need for such heavy animosity.

The captain of Chile, the biggest star in the team, Alexis Sanchez, who played for Barcelona, ​​stopped Zhou Yi after he finished high-fiving the last teammate: "Hey, Zhou Yi."

Zhou Yi turned around and saw Sanchez taking the initiative to extend his hand. The two had also played against each other in the Champions League.

He smiled, then shook hands and hugged Sanchez.

"It's a pity, I can't play against you." Sanchez said.

Zhou Yi smiled: "Aren't you very happy that you don't have to play against me?"

Both of them laughed.

Then Zhou Yi said goodbye to him and walked out of the tunnel.

He would be watching this game from the sidelines.

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In the Fair Play anthem, the ball boys walked in the front carrying the FIFA flag and the Fair Play flag. Next were the national flags of the two participating teams. The national flags led the players of both sides into the stadium amid cheers.

"They're here!" Duan Xin shouted excitedly. "Walking at the front is Zheng Zhi, the captain of the Chinese team in this game. Next are goalkeeper Sun Pan, Guo Nu, Feng Xiaoting, He Ying, Yan Min, Gao Lin, Yang Muge, Zhang Linpeng, Yang Hao, Rong Hao... Lippi has sent out a double defensive midfielder lineup... No, in fact, judging from Zheng Zhi's position in the Hengyuan Club, he is also a defensive midfielder, so Lippi is using three defensive midfielders in this game..."

The TV broadcast cut to a close-up of Zhou Yi, who was already sitting on the bench. Zhou Yi in the close-up was sitting on the bench with a blank expression. No one could guess what he was thinking from his expression...

Kotana did not sit on the Chinese team's bench for this game, because she was not really a member of the Chinese team's coaching staff. She sat in the stands with other Chinese team personnel who were not able to enter the coaching area to watch the game.

The TV broadcast did not forget to give her a close-up, and Duan Xin also specially introduced her to the audience. But actually, he didn't need to introduce her. Since Kotana became Zhou Yi's girlfriend, she has become very popular in China, and almost no Chinese fans don't know her...

In the hearts of many Chinese fans, whether Zhou Yi can make a successful comeback depends on Kotana's ability.

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After the players from both sides came out, the national anthems of the two countries began to be played on the field.

When the Chinese national anthem was played, Zhou Yi and the others on the bench stood up and sang the national anthem together. Lippi's Italian coaching staff couldn't sing the national anthem, but they also stood quietly. They must be familiar with the Chinese national anthem, because Lippi took his entire coaching staff from Guangzhou Hengyuan to coach the national team this time to make it easier to accept management and integrate into the team. These people had been working at the Guangzhou Hengyuan club for many years and knew Chinese players very well.

This also helped Lippi quickly take control of the national team and then smoothly start his work. This was also a blessing in disguise.

After the national anthem was played, the next step was the fixed procedure before each game: the two sides shook hands, the captains came out to exchange team flags and gifts, then shook hands and tossed a coin.

The Chinese team won the right to choose the side, but gave up the right to kick off.

Sometimes the right to kick off is more important than the right to choose the side.

Especially for the Chilean team, which wanted to put pressure on the Chinese team from the first second of the game...

After seeing this result, Chilean coach Sampaoli clenched his fist secretly on the sidelines—this was the result he wanted.

After the players from both sides stood in their respective positions, the referee Doue from Côte d'Ivoire confirmed the time and then blew the whistle in his mouth.

"The game begins!" Duan Xin shouted.

Chilean forward Sanchez kicked the football out, Vargas followed up and kicked it back, and the Chinese team's first game of this World Cup began.

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After the game started, Chile used their advantage of kicking off to launch a fierce attack on the Chinese team's goal.

And when the football was not at their feet, they did not retreat to their own half in one breath as people thought.

It was no secret that the Chinese team would adopt a defensive counterattack strategy.

But the Chilean team used another method to deal with the Chinese team's counterattack, which was a very crazy press in the front.

As long as the Chinese team's players got the ball, they would immediately surround them and grab it.

This was just bullying the fact that Zhou Yi was not on the field, and the Chinese team's passing and control of the ball was not as smooth as before.

So when the Chinese team's players were a little embarrassed under the Chilean players' pressing, the TV broadcast took the time to give Zhou Yi a close-up, which was the first close-up of Zhou Yi since the game started, but it would definitely not be the last.

"The Chilean team is pressing very hard, and the Chinese team can only cope with it in a tired manner under their pressing, and they can't organize a decent attack at all... At this time, I think everyone misses Zhou Yi very much..." Duan Xin said.

But no matter how much they missed him, Zhou Yi was indeed not on the field.

It was not until the eighth minute that the Chinese team attacked the Chilean thirty-meter area for the first time.

At that time, Yan Min crossed the ball from the right side at a forty-five-degree angle towards the penalty area. He Ying jumped up in the penalty area to fight for the header, but Chilean goalkeeper Bravo jumped up before him and took the football with both hands.

The Chinese team did not complete the first shot of the game.

"He Ying—oh! He didn't get the header, and the ball was taken away by Bravo!" Duan Xin said with great regret.

"This ball... actually, Yan Min passed it a little too anxiously. He should use his speed and technique to bring the football forward a little more, and compress the opponent's players a little bit more, and then cross, the effect would be better than crossing directly at a forty-five-degree angle." Zhang Lu commented from the side. "Yan Min, this player, sometimes has this kind of problem, he is rough... When he played football in China, it was like this. It was a little better when he went to Dortmund, but sometimes this situation also occurs. However, in Dortmund, Zhou Yi is by his side, which can suppress his impulsiveness and roughness. So this is also the reason why Yan Min was successful in Dortmund this season."

"Is it just low football IQ?" Duan Xin asked.

Zhang Lu smiled and did not directly answer the question.

At this time, the Chilean team launched an attack on the Chinese team.

The focus of the two people switched from Yan Min's performance just now to the Chilean team's attack.

"Look at this ball... Chile launched an attack on the right, right back number four Isla passed the football to Sanchez who retreated to meet him... Yang Muge followed up, Sanchez received the ball... turned around! He cleverly wiped it away! Yang Muge was thrown behind him!"

Duan Xin's voice became urgent.

"Sanchez is still carrying the ball forward, Yang Muge is chasing after him, and Zheng Zhi is also pressing up, and Guo Nu is blocking him in front... Pass the ball! Sanchez dialed the football horizontally before being surrounded! Valdivia, unguarded, dangerous—"

In Duan Xin's roar, Valdivia swung his right foot on the edge of the penalty area and shot the football towards the goal.

The football went straight to the upper corner, and although Sun Pan made a save, he was powerless against this world-class shot. The football flew over his palm, then hit the bottom edge of the crossbar and rebounded into the goal!

"The ball is in! Oh! The Chinese team has conceded a goal! The game has only started for eleven minutes!"