Midfielder Ruler

Chapter 163: Textbook Quick Counterattack

The Chinese fans at the St. Petersburg Stadium were completely stunned. It was obvious that they had not accepted the result.

From a two-goal lead to a draw, the huge gap is hard to accept.

The Belgian fans were as excited as children, wildly celebrating the national team's equalizer.

They seemed to see a repeat of the 1/8 finals. The national team, which was two goals behind, finally completed a super comeback before the end of the game and beat Japan 3:2!

It is undeniable that the third and fourth place finals cannot be compared with the finals, and are not even as important as the semi-finals.

But once Belgium wins the game, they will create team history!

Therefore, this game is a must win for Belgium.

From two goals behind to equalizing the score, the motivational effect on the team is obvious, so the Belgian fans in the stands have full confidence in the team.

victory!

It’s the final result of the third and fourth place finals!

None of the Chinese players shown by the on-site director had normal expressions, including captain Tang Zheng, who had a frown on his face and a heavy look on his face.

However, as the captain, Tang Zheng did not let himself feel depressed. He knew what he should do now, so he quickly adjusted his mentality, faced his teammates, and spoke in a provocative tone: "Hey, brothers, don't be discouraged... We are not there yet. To the point of losing, our pre-match plan was to draw with Belgium and fall behind Belgium, and now we are drawing. There is no need to worry. As long as we complete the game according to the tactical arrangement guided by Lippi, I believe we will have the last laugh. It's us!"

At this point, Tang Zheng's voice rose another octave: "This game is the last game of Lippi's coaching career, so we can't let him have regrets. Don't forget, if we win the game, we will surpass the stick." , becoming the national team with the best results among Asian teams in the World Cup! In such a meaningful game, what excuse do we have not to win? In the first half, we could lead Belgium by two goals, and even after being equalized, we could still take the lead again. Belgium!"

Every word Tang Zheng said was sonorous and had an indescribable confidence, so players who were naturally passionate could easily be incited to excitement by him.

Lippi, who was originally worried about the team's morale, let out a sigh of relief. He was able to keenly observe that the players' sluggish morale was inspired by Tang Zheng. Although he could not say that he was back to his best, he could at least improve in the next game. Wake up and wake up.

As the time goes,

A team that stabilizes its morale will definitely return to its best form.

In addition, Belgium, which equalized the score, will also recover appropriately and will no longer be as desperate as when the score is behind.

The reason why strong teams are called strong teams is because they know how to assess the situation.

Although it is possible to strengthen the offense and score the go-ahead goal in one go, there is also the risk of conceding goals.

After all, the Chinese team has players with very strong personal abilities such as Tang Zheng, Lu Liang and Sun Jingbo. If they are not careful, they may fall into catastrophe.

If the score falls behind again, the team may not have a chance to equalize the score.

In the second half of the game, everything should be done with caution.

When the game restarted, the Chinese team played very carefully, controlling the rhythm of the game under Tang Zheng's deliberate control. However, from a two-goal lead to being equalized, the players were somewhat nervous, and control of the football quickly changed hands.

However, Belgium took into account the possibility of conceding the ball and did not invest as many people in the offense as the score. Therefore, Belgium's offense did not threaten Yan Junling's goalkeeping.

※※※

When the score reached a draw, both sides played very cautiously and the situation became stalemate. South Korea's SBS Sports TV commentator Park Zhenhui frowned and said: "Belgium's desire to win is not strong enough. Now they should step up their offensive and defeat them in one go." Chinese team!"

Central 5 commentator He Wei said after the Chinese team gained a foothold: "After playing steadily during this difficult period, the Chinese team has adapted to Belgium's offensive style and defended with twice the result with half the effort, but always defending is not the solution. I hope Lippi can think of it." Make better tactical adjustments, make changes as early as possible, and increase the efficiency of counterattacks. Only by scoring first can we ensure that the Chinese team is in an active position!"

"He Wei's point of view is very correct, because only by taking the lead can one be undefeated. As long as the defense is solid and waiting for opportunities to counterattack, I believe that the Chinese team will win the game in the end." Commentator Xu Yang said loudly: "Even if there is no way to take the lead Don’t be anxious about scoring goals. After all, Belgium’s overall strength is obviously stronger than the Chinese team. What our players need to do is to defend first and then counterattack. Opportunities... are often reserved for those who are prepared!”

British Sky commentator Andy Gray saw Hazard's inward shot miss the left post of the goal and shook his head: "Belgium's offensive aggressiveness has dropped significantly. They gave the Chinese team too much breathing time."

As soon as he finished speaking, Martin Taylor said with a smile: "Belgium's equalizer was somewhat accidental. It is very difficult to defeat the Chinese team in one go. The overall strength of the Chinese team is not comparable to that of the Japanese team. If all the players are involved in the attack, there will be no chance of defeating the Chinese team." After scoring a goal and being hit by a high-quality quick counterattack by the Chinese team, the gain outweighs the loss. The Belgian made the right choice. The connection between Tang, Sun, and Lu was terrifying. I believe this was a decision made by Roberto Martinez after careful consideration. "

At the 60th minute of the game, the Chinese team made the first adjustment of the game, with veteran Hao Junmin replacing He Chao.

The purpose of this substitution adjustment is obvious - to increase midfield control.

Belgium head coach Martinez stood in the coaching area deep in thought. He thought Lippi's adjustments would tend to strengthen defense, but... instead he chose to attack.

Hao Junmin, who plays for Schalke 04, has retreated as his age has increased, but his offensive organizational skills are quite good, his ball-playing ability is very strong, and his overall view is also very good. In other words, Lippi's adjustment is to strengthen the offense.

It shouldn’t be!

Martinez couldn't think of what kind of medicine was being sold in Lippi's gourd, so he had to focus on his own side.

Three minutes later, Belgium made its second substitution adjustment of the game.

Dembele replaces Carrasco.

"Oh oh oh oh——"

With Dembele on the field, De Bruyne's position has moved up a lot, closer to Hazard, Lukaku and Mertens. Therefore, Belgium's offense has put increasing pressure on the Chinese team's defense. Chinese fans subconsciously let out wave after wave of exclamations.

Belgian head coach Martinez's adjustment intention is very obvious, which is to use Dembele's running to make up for the shortcomings of the midfielder's transition from offense to defense, freeing De Bruyne to focus more on offense.

In the 66th minute, De Bruyne got the ball, turned around and passed Li Kui to the top of the arc in the penalty area. Tang Zheng defended in place and flew to block the ball. The football hit the inside of Tang Zheng's right leg and bounced towards the center circle. .

Yerfan failed to take off under the pressure of Kompany, the football was controlled by Alderweireld, and Belgium organized the attack again.

After a series of passes, the football came to De Bruyne's feet again. His fake shot and real pass deceived Tang Zheng, but Lukaku, who crossed into the right rib of the penalty area, stopped the ball a little too much. Yan Junling struck decisively and pounced the ball under him. .

Yan Junling, who controlled the football, was not in a hurry to kick it out. He consciously chose to slow down the pace, but within two seconds he saw Tang Zheng waving for the ball.

According to the tactical arrangement of head coach Lippi, as long as Tang Zheng wants the ball, he must satisfy it unconditionally.

Therefore, Yan Junling vigorously threw the ball to Tang Zheng who was pulled to the left. Mertens didn't think much and pounced directly on Tang Zheng.

Tang Zheng seemed to have an eye in the back of his head. He first blocked Mertens' position, then used his chest to stop the ball forward, then lifted the fallen football behind him with the instep of his right foot, and then pivoted his body with his left foot. , turn 90 degrees to the left and rear.

Mertens was less than 1.7 meters tall. He was stuck in a position where Tang Zheng, who was 1.94 meters tall, could not see anything at all. His eyes were completely dark.

In addition, Tang Zheng was tall and strong, and Mertens couldn't squeeze Tang Zheng, so he was blocked behind Tang Zheng.

By the time there was light in front of Mertens' eyes and he saw the football appearing above his head, it was too late to jump subconsciously. He could only watch helplessly as Tang Zheng completed his turn and stretched out his foot to stop the football.

"Beautiful pass! Mertens was played by Tang Zheng in the palm of his hand!"

But Mertens did not stop and look, but quickly turned around because he saw Dembele aggressively pounce on Tang Zheng who stopped the ball.

Based on Tang Zheng's extension of his foot to stop the ball and Dembele's extension of his foot, it seems that Dembele is more likely to kick the ball.

If Dembele cuts off the football, it will be an excellent counterattack opportunity!

However, Tang Zheng didn't stop the ball at all. Instead, he kicked the falling football with his raised right foot and lifted the ball up.

"Pick the ball again!"

shouted British Sky commentator Martin Taylor.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

Accompanied by huge shouts from the St. Petersburg Arena, Tang Zheng dodged past Dembele who could not brake in time, then stepped forward with his left foot and followed up with a half-volley long pass with his right heel.

The whole action is done in one go, which is very enjoyable to watch.

And the most important thing is... accurate passing.

As if the football was equipped with a GPS navigation system, it flew diagonally from the left side of the Chinese team's defense toward Sun Jingbo, who was running at high speed against the right offensive line.

※※※

"Wonderful long pass!"

British Sky commentator Andy Gray shouted: "Don's exquisite missile!"

"Ouch-ouch——"

The Chinese fans in the stands raised their arms in excitement.

Countless Chinese fans sitting in front of the TV suddenly stood up and stared at Sun Jingbo who appeared in the lower right corner of the broadcast screen.

Tang Zheng's long pass after continuous picks accurately found Sun Jingbo who was running at high speed. The latter took advantage of the trend and led inside. Vertonghen was not very fast and was squeezed behind by Sun Jingbo who accelerated for the second time.

With a yellow card on his back, Vertonghen did not dare to foul behind him.

Coupled with Kompany's defense, Vertonghen, who had not committed a foul, slowed down and then chased Sun Jingbo again.

Facing Kompany's defense, Sun Jingbo dropped his left shoulder during the pass and kicked the ball with the outside of his left foot. Kompany thought that Sun Jingbo was going to continue to break through to the inside line. He made an obvious move while retreating. The body's center of gravity shifts to the right.

But Sun Jingbo did not kick the football with the outside instep of his left foot, but made a feint.

"Cycling!"

Sun Jingbo's left foot suddenly stared at the ground. The huge reaction force caused his center of gravity to change and turn to the right. Then the outside instep of his right foot moved towards the football, pushing the football in the opposite direction of Kompany's movement.

Sun Jingbo, who was chasing the football, looked up at goalkeeper Courtois' position and adjusted his footing at the same time.

Obviously, this is a precursor to a long shot!

Kompany, who was shaken away by Sun Jingbo, gritted his teeth and took a big step forward, stretched out his left leg, and tried to block Sun Jingbo's long shot about 28 meters away from the goal on the defensive left rib.

However... Sun Jingbo's swung right foot did not shoot. Instead, he used the arch of his right foot to push the football hard. The football rolled quickly against the turf from Kompany's crotch, which extended his left leg, towards the right rib of the penalty area.

The on-site director switched the camera, and CCTV 5 commentator He Wei suddenly raised the volume: "——Ye Erfan!"

"Ah, oh, oh, oh -"

The Chinese fans in the St. Petersburg Arena went completely crazy and hysterically made loud shouts like mountains and tsunamis.

Yerfan ran diagonally from the left side of the top of the penalty area towards the right rib of the penalty area. Belgian goalkeeper Courtois saw that Alderweireld was helpless due to the space restriction, so he chose to abandon the goal immediately and attack. , blocking Ye Erfan's shooting angle.

Sun Jingbo's direct pass was just right. Ye Erfan, who ran to the right rib of the penalty area about fifteen meters away from the goal, did not make any adjustments. He raised his right foot while running. Alderweireld fell to the ground and put down a shovel to block it. Goalkeeper Courtois fell to the ground and threw himself to the left side of his body, which is the near corner of the goal.

"Shoot—"

At the same time, the hearts of the Belgian fans in the stands were in their throats. Those timid fans even closed their eyes and did not dare to look directly.

Yerfan's raised right foot did not catch up with Alderweireld and Courtois who fell to the ground to block the ball. Instead, he very cleverly used his toe to rub the bottom of the football.

As a result, the football slowly flew up in the Belgian's desperate eyes, passed over Alderweireld and Courtois who fell to the ground, and then fell with an obvious parabola towards the goal that was no longer guarded...

"Goooooooooooooooal——"

German Sky commentator Marcel Leif drawled.

"The goal is in! Young player Ye Erfan received a pass from Sun Jingbo and scored twice!" CC5 commentator He Wei shouted passionately: "The Chinese team exceeded the score again, 3:2!!"

Chinese players on the court, on the bench, and in the warm-up area all ran to Ye Erfan to release the huge pressure of exceeding the score again.

Head coach Lippi was also very excited in the fanatical atmosphere. He hugged and celebrated with his assistants Madaloni and Li Tie, and even ignored his glasses.

From the long shot given by the on-site director, we can clearly see the unwillingness and depression of the Belgians, but at this time, no one paid attention to Belgium, which lost the goal.

Immediately, the on-site director gave a slow-motion replay of the Chinese team's entire goal.

From Yan Junling throwing the ball to Ye Erfan scoring, the whole process only took thirteen seconds, which can be called a textbook quick counterattack.

But the most impressive thing is Tang Zheng's semi-volley long pass after consecutively passing Mertens and Dembélé. It is full of fun to watch and also ensures the quality of the pass.

In the words of British sky commentator Andy Gray - an artist on the green field.

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