Chapter 101 Bovo's Goal

"Bovo's goal tied the score for the Italian team just before the end of the match! And several of our Olympic team players are cramping up! Things are going from bad to worse for China!"

At the last moment, Qiu Suhui replaced the cramping Lin Feng with Hu Bin. He had originally planned to use his last two substitutions during injury time to delay the game. But now it seemed that wouldn't be necessary.

With the few minutes left, neither side should have any energy to spare. This game was definitely going into extra time.

What an arduous match!

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Just as Qiu Suhui thought, the six minutes of injury time passed uneventfully, without the all-out effort and climactic moments that some people expected. Both sides had an unspoken agreement: save some energy for extra time. The next thirty minutes would decide everything.

When the final whistle blew at the end of ninety minutes, the players on both sides collapsed on the field to rest. In five minutes, they would stand up and continue the battle.

While the players rested and replenished their energy, Qiu Suhui seized the time to make final instructions: "Don't rush, don't rush to attack now. There's no golden goal or silver goal in extra time, you have to play the full thirty minutes. So you have to manage your energy wisely. If necessary, we can even drag it to penalties! Defenders, clear the ball decisively, try to avoid giving them free kicks on either side of the penalty area!" Qiu Suhui used exaggerated gestures to express his meaning.

"Everyone understand? Remember, this is the most important game of your lives. Don't give up until the final whistle! All right, time's up! Everyone up! Let's go!" Qiu Suhui waved his hands like he was herding ducks, urging the players to stand up and move around a little to avoid cramping.

Li Yan scanned the faces of the Olympic team players with his binoculars. "Still that same expression. Even though they're clearly exhausted, their eyes are stubbornly determined."

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As extra time began, even the fans who had been shouting for ninety minutes were getting tired, let alone the players on the field.

The high temperature during the first half of the game made their energy drain even faster, especially for the Chinese team. Now, many players were running on fumes. But they were still gritting their teeth and persevering. With only one substitution left, no one was thinking, "Replace me so I can rest!" Instead, it was, "Please don't sub me out!"

Besides the goalkeeper and two center backs, Yang Pan, Li Yongle, and Xiang Tao were the players with the most stamina left. The others were basically walking, except when the ball came their way.

On the other side, the Italian team, with their vast experience in professional matches, had much more stamina. So in the first half of extra time, Italy continued to pressure China.

Xiang Tao hoofed away a through ball from the opponent. He no longer had the energy to shout and cheer himself and the team on. The pressure Italy exerted on China wasn't just physical, but also psychological.

Is this what a world-class team is like? Damn!

Qiu Suhui decided to use his last substitution. He would replace forward Li Jie with another forward, Kong Liang.

Kong Liang was a forward known for his defensive abilities. By replacing the exhausted Li Jie with him, Qiu Suhui intended to strengthen the defense. But that didn't mean Qiu Suhui was giving up on offense. Hu Bin, already on the field, was relatively fast. After Kong Liang came on, China would play a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Hu Bin alone at the front, using his speed to restrain the Italian defense, preventing them from pressing forward with all their might, and giving China opportunities to counterattack.

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Yang Pan mostly played as China's right back, while Wang Liang retreated into the penalty area to play as a center back.

Pirlo was still active, passing the ball to Gasparoni. Gasparoni faced Yang Pan. He lightly flicked the ball with his right foot, then abruptly pushed it forward with his left, forcing a breakthrough!

Yang Pan was slightly stunned, then turned to chase. In terms of speed, he wouldn't lose to anyone. As he chased his opponent, he gradually leaned his body against Gasparoni, preventing him from accelerating. Then he lowered his body, extended his left foot, and slid in for a tackle!

Gasparoni seemed to have anticipated Yang Pan's move. He gently flicked the ball to the outside, dodging Yang Pan's tackle!

Will he break through?

No way! Yang Pan, still lying on the ground, twisted his body outward with the momentum, and swept his right leg up!

Gasparoni clearly hadn't expected Yang Pan to make two consecutive tackles. In a panic, he reflexively jumped up, and the ball was swept out of bounds by Yang Pan.

Whew! Yang Pan breathed a sigh of relief and got up from the ground. If it weren't for his exhaustion, he definitely could have hooked the ball with his right foot, and Italy wouldn't even have gotten a throw-in!

Yang Pan's move was a microcosm of the entire Chinese team in the first half of extra time. Many times, they were willing, but unable.

The fifteen minutes passed quickly. The players on both sides didn't rest, but directly switched sides for the second half. But the players walked very slowly, trying to catch their breath. Now, not only the Chinese team, but many Italian players were also running on empty.

Looking back, which is more humane, playing thirty minutes of extra time, or using the golden goal rule? The players had fought for ninety minutes, and now they had to fight for another thirty, regardless of whether they won or lost. This was a double test of the players' bodies and wills. On the other hand, if the golden goal rule was adopted, the game would end as soon as one side scored, which might be unfair to the losing side. Maybe they still had the energy to equalize, if only they had a little more time... This question would always be a matter of opinion, with no clear answer.

But now, the Olympic team would rather play the last fifteen minutes than let the opponent score a goal and end the game directly. In their hearts, even if Italy did score, they would definitely be able to come back before the end of the game.

What a pity, a real pity. This was a real match, not a manga or a novel. Some things can't be decided by spirit alone. Reality is cruel, really...

"Goal! It's Italian captain Pirlo. He shook off the exhausted Li Yongle and scored with his signature long shot... breached the Chinese team's goal." Wang Jianxiang's feelings were complicated as he said these words. Because he was the commentator, reporting the game was his job. But if he could, he would rather remain silent at this moment, without saying a word. Italy finally scored, and it was in the tenth minute of the second half, the twenty-fifth minute of extra time, the one hundred and fifteenth minute of the entire match. "But! The game isn't over yet, we still have five minutes! Olympic team lads, get up! Get up! Five minutes is enough for anything to happen!" Wang Jianxiang shouted at the television screen, as if he were on the sidelines, and his shouts could be heard by the Chinese players. But unfortunately, he wasn't.

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"Everyone get up!" Yang Pan stood on the field, shouting at his teammates who were sitting down in despair. His voice was hoarse, but he tried to make his voice reach the ears of every one of his teammates. "There are still five minutes left! We still have time! Don't sit here wasting time!" Yang Pan reached out to pull up Li Yongle. "You were injured during the game against us, and you didn't give up. What are you acting like a softie now for? Get up, or I'll kick you up!"

Then he ran to pull up Zhao Pengyu, while shouting at Xiang Tao not far away: "Lying there pretending to be dead? Get your ass up! Aren't you usually the loudest? Why are you playing dead at the crucial moment? Damn! Are you even a man?"

Xiang Tao felt terrible, not because of Yang Pan's words, but because the violent heaving of his chest made it impossible for him to catch his breath. But he usually talked a lot, so now, when it was time to be a hero, he shouldn't be lying down like this! "Damn... Yang Pan, you're having fun cursing, aren't you? I'll remember this... I'll deal with you after I'm done with Italy!" He was still playing the hero with his words, but on the other hand, he had already gotten up, though it looked a bit strenuous. It was hard to say whether he really had the energy to deal with Yang Pan after he was done with Italy.

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Zhang Jun watched Yang Pan pull his teammates up one by one, and he was reminded of the game against the High School Affiliated to the University of Science and Technology back in his first year of high school. In the end, although Yang Pan scored a goal, the game was already nearing its end. But Yang Pan didn't care. He only knew that as long as he hadn't heard the final whistle, the game wasn't over for him.

Doing so might be a bit demanding, but...

If he were on the field, he would do the same!

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There was nothing Qiu Suhui could do now. He had used up all his substitutions, and tactical adjustments with the current lineup might not be effective in five minutes. As a coach, he could only watch his players perform from the sidelines.

Gamble everything you have, run, fight, whether you win or lose, don't regret it, don't leave a single regret.

This was what Qiu Suhui was thinking now, and it was also what the Olympic team players were thinking.

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The Olympic team, trailing by one goal and with their energy depleted, unexpectedly rallied, as if they had just come onto the field with renewed vigor.

Yang Pan transferred the ball from the right to the left with a long pass. Zhao Pengyu stretched out his foot to stop the ball, but with his energy seriously depleted, his supporting foot softened, and only the tip of his outstretched left foot touched the ball. The ball slightly changed direction and bounced toward the sideline. Just as it was about to go out of bounds, a foot barely stopped the ball, and then smoothly cut past Bovo, who had rushed up to interfere with Zhao Pengyu!

"Go to the back if you're out of energy, I'll take it from here!" Xiang Tao charged into the Italian defense, roaring.

"It's Xiang Tao! He still has the energy to rush up from the back to assist!" Wang Jianxiang shouted in surprise.

But Xiang Tao's situation wasn't very good. He was gritting his teeth and fighting. Bonera charged up, it was time to pass the ball!

"Xiang Tao crosses! A low pass!"

Xiang Tao's pass was very smart. He knew that the forwards on the field for the Chinese team weren't very good at heading the ball. Passing a high ball would only waste energy. But if he passed a ground ball, it would be different. As long as the ball speed was fast enough, the defending back or the rushing forward could touch it, and it was very likely to score!

So who would touch the ball?

Ferrari slid in for a tackle first, but he was one step late, and didn't touch it!

The ball continued to fly quickly across the face of the goal!

Hu Bin suddenly lunged forward, and then kicked his feet towards the ball! But he collided with goalkeeper Pelizzoli! Neither of them touched the ball!

The ball flew to the far post!

This time, it was Yang Pan who appeared there! He was at the far post and unmarked! A great opportunity! A great opportunity for China to equalize!

The ball arrived! Yang Pan pushed the ball with his signature right foot...

Moretti rushed up from the side and dived to head the ball, but he didn't head it!

The ball flew over his head, towards the empty goal!

Will it go in?

Qiu Suhui's heart was in his throat, and Gentile must not have been feeling well either. But then he saw the ball barely fly over the crossbar, bounce on the crossbar, then fly behind the goal, fall down and hit the billboard, and roll back.

The ball didn't go in!!

Sighs and cheers mixed together, filling the entire Thessaloniki Stadium.

"The ball didn't go in! Yang Pan's shot... was just a little too high." Wang Jianxiang had originally intended to say that he had blasted it, but he changed his mind in an instant.

Qiu Suhui leaned back abruptly. Yang Pan, the most stable player on the field, had his supporting foot soften at the most critical moment, wasting this heaven-sent opportunity. Fate!

After taking the shot, Yang Pan's knees buckled, and he knelt down in front of the goal, still staring blankly at the crossbar, unable to believe that he had blasted the ball... blasted it!

He knew better than anyone how important it would have been for the Chinese team if that ball had gone in, but he... couldn't forgive himself for his left knee softening at that moment, just as his right leg was about to exert force!

And just as Yang Pan was still kneeling in front of the Italian goal, the referee ruthlessly blew the whistle to end the game. He didn't give the Chinese a second more, exactly one hundred and twenty minutes.

The Chinese Olympic men's football team's journey to the Athens Olympics came to an abrupt end at that second.

After the whistle blew, Yang Pan remained kneeling on the ground, staring at the sky, without any intention of getting up, or rather, his thoughts were stuck at the moment when his right foot exerted force, but his left knee softened.

If the ball had gone in, if that ball had gone in... So he was still so obsessed with winning and losing! Why? He had clearly said that no matter whether they won or lost, as long as they gave it their all, they wouldn't regret it? Why did his heart hurt so much? Why?

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Zhang Jun watched Yang Pan's kneeling figure, and really wanted to cry. He tried his best to hold it back, tried his best, but in the end, his eyes were still blurry.

This scene was like his first year of high school, and he was a spectator again, a powerless spectator!

Feng Qing felt that it wasn't appropriate for him to stay inside any longer in this situation, so he tiptoed into the courtyard. To be honest, he had also wanted to cry just now, but after all, he was older and had experienced more things, so in the end, he still held it back.

What a pity for such a good team... He took out a cigarette, preparing to light it and take a nice puff to dispel the depression in his heart, but he saw Sophie following him out, and hastily extinguished the cigarette and put it away. No matter what, it was impolite to smoke in front of a woman. Although he was lecherous, he still understood some basic etiquette, especially when it came to women.

"You... why aren't you inside, uh, keeping him company?" Feng Qing carefully considered how to speak without stimulating her.

Unexpectedly, Sophie smiled faintly: "It's not convenient for me to stay inside at this time. Although there's a TV separating them, it's a matter between him and Yang Pan."

"Yeah, too bad! They were clearly playing so well, but they were eliminated."

"There's no way around it, that's football..."

Seeing Sophie's eyes drifting into the distance after she said this, Feng Qing knew that she must have been thinking of something. He shouldn't disturb them. Anyway, he had drunk so much beer, it was time to go back to sleep.

Sophie was indeed thinking of the past. What a similar scene! In his first year of high school, Zhang Jun had been a spectator like this because of an ankle injury, watching his teammates fight on the field but ultimately fail. You're still very unwilling, aren't you? Zhang Jun...

Two lines of clear tears slid down her cheeks, then were scattered in the Dutch summer night wind.

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"Xiao Wang, did you take the picture?" Li Yan asked the photographer next to him.

"I took it, I took half a roll of film!" Xiao Wang patted his camera.

"Well, that's good. You must keep the negative safe. The figure in the photo will become a milestone in Chinese football!" Li Yan murmured, looking at the number 7 figure still kneeling in front of the Italian goal.

The strong Yang Pan, the Yang Pan whose playing style was like his person, the Yang Pan who had earned respect for Chinese players in Italy, even at this moment when you knelt before fate, your back was still so straight, you had never bent your back or lowered your head once.

I only hope you continue to be so strong, because you will be the backbone of Chinese football in the future!

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Yang Pan felt someone pulling him. He turned his head and found that it was Qiu Suhui: "Coach..."

"Get up, how long are you going to kneel? You were the one who told everyone to stand up and continue the game. You shouldn't appear in front of them like this." Qiu Suhui pulled Yang Pan up with force, but as soon as he lifted Yang Pan, he fell down, with a frown and a very painful expression.

"Cramping?"

"Yeah..."

"When?" Qiu Suhui had Yang Pan lie down on the ground, stretched out his cramping leg, braced it against his chest, and then held Yang Pan's forefoot with both hands, desperately pulling it down.

"Just now, when I got up..."

Damn, both legs are cramping... Qiu Suhui thought, watching Yang Pan's guilty expression as he exerted force. Hadn't he told you? Don't regret it if you've given it your all. You've given it your all to the point of cramping both legs, why are you still blaming yourself? "Yang Pan!" he called out. Yang Pan looked up at Qiu Suhui, not understanding why the coach was calling him.

"Change your expression. You're the captain. Looking like this will only make them even more sad. You're older and more experienced than most of the team. Go comfort them when you can stand up and walk! They're all crying like..." Qiu Suhui's own voice choked up. He didn't regret losing the game, he just felt sad. He had personally selected these players from all over the country, and had spent a year and three months with them day and night. Now, they had finally reached the end. By losing to Italy, this Olympic team had completed their historical mission, and would disband after returning home. Chen Wei had long intended to let him join the national team coaching staff and become Ali Han's assistant.

He didn't know how many familiar faces from this group would still appear on the national team training ground in the future.

Yang Pan looked at Qiu Suhui, who had suddenly fallen silent, and knew that he was just saying the words. In fact, he must be terribly sad inside. This team, which was the crystallization of all his efforts, would finally have to say goodbye to them!

But I won't say goodbye to you, Qiu-zhi. I'm still looking forward to seeing you on the national team!

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Yang Pan really did as Qiu Suhui said, going to comfort the players who were crying like children who had accidentally dropped their lollipops. Their Chinese team jerseys were wet, no matter how the sea breeze blew, they wouldn't dry. He didn't know if it was sweat or tears.

Xiang Tao was one of the very few who didn't cry. He was also busy comforting Wang Yu, who was crying her heart out: "Girl, don't cry! What's there to cry about? It's just losing a game, isn't it? We'll find a chance to get revenge in the future! Don't cry, okay? Did you hear me! If you cry again, I'll make you look good tonight!"

Wang Yu was only slightly stunned, then continued to cry, ignoring Xiang Tao's threat for the first time. Xiang Tao looked at Wang Yu's expression and could only sigh helplessly.

Has my Olympics ended like this? Ha! He wanted to imitate the protagonists in those movies and force a carefree smile, but he found that no matter how he grinned, he only looked like he was crying, so he should just give up!

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Although a quarterfinal finish was considered to be a historic achievement, the players of the Chinese Olympic team didn't feel a bit of excitement or joy about creating history. All they felt was the bitterness and pain of losing the game. They didn't want to create any history, they just wanted to win.

Maybe this was the difference between bystanders and those involved? In the atmosphere of "Although they stopped in the quarterfinals, they created history" that the media collectively created in the days after the game, the players all remained silent. Outsiders were delighted by "creating history," but they were pained by "stopping in the quarterfinals."

At the post-match press conference, Qiu Suhui was five minutes late, but he left as soon as he sat down. He only said one paragraph, and no one had time to ask questions, but he answered all the questions.

"Thank you very much, everyone. We lost, although we tried our best, the difference in strength can't be compensated for by fighting hard on the field. What's gratifying is that the players learned a lot of valuable experience through this Olympics, which will be of great help to their future football careers. I said before the Olympics that I didn't value the ranking, the key was how much we could learn from it. So far, looking back at those four games, I think the goal has been achieved, the mission has been completed, and I'm very satisfied. Finally, Italy deserved to win, and I wish them success. Thank you all again! Goodbye."

A very formal, very diplomatic answer. At this time, anyone could see that Qiu Suhui was in a bad mood, so they let him leave. He must have had a lot more to say to the players, right? Behind closed doors in the locker room.

Li Yan noticed that Qiu Suhui's eyes were a little red. According to what he knew of Qiu Suhui's character, it was unlikely that he would cry in front of the players in the locker room. So the five minutes of lateness weren't, as some people thought, spent in the locker room, but in a place where he could be alone... right?

Later, no one knew what happened after Qiu Suhui returned to the locker room, except for the Olympic team players. They didn't reveal a single bit to the curious outside world. To the very end, they remembered that after Qiu Suhui returned to the locker room, he didn't give a long speech, but just said one sentence: "Thank you very much for everything you've given in the past year or so. This summer has been the most beautiful summer of my life. Now you don't need to accept hellish training, and you don't need to play a game every two days, and you don't need to be locked up together every day for training. I'm giving you a vacation, go have fun! You haven't been out to see Athens, have you? Dismissed!"

After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave the locker room.

Then someone shouted from behind: "When will we regroup, Qiu-zhi!"

In the past, when there was a break from training, someone would ask such a question, but this time, Qiu Suhui didn't answer as he had before, but paused at the door, then opened the door and walked straight out.

Everyone was someone who couldn't let go!

In the summer of 2004, the Chinese Olympic delegation won thirty-two gold medals at this Olympics, setting a new record, and surpassing Russia to become the second-ranked country on the gold medal list. Especially Liu Xiang's gold medal in the men's 110-meter hurdles at the last moment made the Chinese people excited and proud. The scene of his victory had been replayed on TV for a long time.

No one was thinking about the Olympic team anymore, what did that kneeling figure in front of the opponent's goal mean, what would it mean?

What was Li Yan's milestone?

For the entire Chinese Olympic team, the summer full of passion, hope, laughter, and pain came to an abrupt end at 8 p.m. on August 21, 2004.

Later, Italy, who narrowly defeated China, exhausted too much energy in this battle and lost 0:3 to Argentina, who were waiting for them in the semifinals. Later, Argentina deservedly defeated Paraguay 1:0 in the final, fulfilling their dream of winning their first Olympic gold medal in men's football. Italy defeated Iraq in an extremely dull and passive third-place match, winning a consolation bronze medal for them.

But what did all this have to do with the Chinese Olympic team?