Chapter 23 The Twenty-Third Round

After a day of ample rest and a week of restorative training, Zhang Jun maintained his condition at a decent level. On March 18th, in the 23rd round of the Serie A league, Fiorentina challenged Bologna away, with the visiting team defeating Bologna 3:1. Zhang Jun didn't score, but he had one assist.

After twenty-three rounds of the league, Zhang Jun's goal count stopped at twenty. Although he hadn't scored in three league rounds, his first-place ranking wasn't significantly threatened. Adriano, in second place, was still three goals behind him, and in a league like Serie A, a three-goal difference was considerable.

After this round of the league, Fiorentina had to release players to return to their countries for matches again.

Although Sabato was a million times unwilling, it was a mandatory FIFA regulation concerning the life, death, honor, and disgrace of a nation in the World Cup qualifiers, so he had to release the players whether he wanted to or not.

Zhang Jun, who had rushed back to Florence only to play one match, had to fly back to China with Xiang Tao and Krew once again. This time, they wouldn't be leaving after just one match; they would play the entire first half of the round, including a home game against South Korea and an away game against Australia.

These two matches were crucial for the Chinese team. As long as they could win smoothly, their qualification would be virtually guaranteed. Therefore, Qiu Suhui once again summoned all the overseas players of the current Chinese team, forming the strongest lineup.

The 5:0 victory over Kuwait last time certainly boosted morale and the confidence of the people, but Qiu Suhui was also worried that this would lead some players to underestimate their opponents. South Korea and Australia were not easy to deal with.

From Milan, Italy, to Beijing, China, and then from Beijing non-stop to Chengdu, followed by a direct drive from Chengdu Airport to the Maojiawan training base in the national team's special car.

Basically, all the overseas players followed this route to rejoin the team.

Although the two matches were close together this time, the national team had ample time to prepare…for the second match. However, the first match still seemed a bit rushed for the national team.

According to FIFA regulations, players flying across continents for these A-level matches must report to the national team at least forty-eight hours before the match. Almost all clubs, for their own interests, released their players at the last possible moment.

So, only players in second-tier leagues returned relatively early, seventy-two hours in advance. The rest, such as Zhang Jun, Xiang Tao, Krew, Yang Pan, Li Yongle, Wang Yu, An Ke…and others, arrived only two days before.

The players playing in the Italian league returned on the same flight. Since Fiorentina would soon be playing against Inter Milan, Xiang Tao was constantly joking with Li Yongle on the plane. From their relaxed laughter, one couldn't sense any tension about facing South Korea. This group of players was different; since the Olympic team, they had never lost to South Korea, so the traditional "Koreanophobia" didn't affect them. It should be said that the South Korean team that came from their Olympic team couldn't gain much advantage in matches against the Chinese team.

Because there was plenty of time to prepare before the match, Qiu Suhui didn't arrange complex tactical training. He only practiced set pieces, mainly to allow the overseas players to adjust their condition and recover their stamina. The rest of the time was free activity.

Sophie was alone in Florence, and Li Yan didn't come along. Domestic football wasn't within their reporting scope. So, Zhang Jun had to call Sophie every day. He certainly wouldn't go to the hotel's business center to make public calls; he contacted her directly with his cell phone. Many were in the same situation. Yang Pan also had to report his work to Yilan every day, while the other bachelors called their parents, reminding them to watch the match at that time.

Zhang Jun happened to see Xiang Tao coming out after making a call while he was wandering around in the lobby, so he stopped him. "Calling your girlfriend?"

"Hell no!" Xiang Tao swore. "'Calling my old man.'" In Sichuan dialect, "old man" means father.

"Tsk, tsk." Zhang Jun clicked his tongue. "Xiang Tao, you're not getting any younger. Why don't you find a girlfriend?"

Xiang Tao was stunned. He had just heard the same words from his dad. Logically, now that he had fame, status, money, and so many female admirers, finding a girlfriend shouldn't be difficult.

"Mind your own business! I haven't had enough fun yet. Why would I want a girlfriend to boss me around?" This was Sichuan, and Xiang Tao, back in his hometown, naturally spoke Sichuan dialect, completely disregarding Qiu Suhui's previous "only Mandarin allowed" rule.

"Could it be that you've watched too many adult movies and become impotent?" Zhang Jun laughed.

"Damn it!"

"What?!" Suddenly, someone shouted from among the people coming out of the elevator. Zhang Jun took a closer look and saw it was An Ke, with other national team teammates beside him. "Xiang Tao is impotent?! Oh my god! I told you watching too many adult movies is bad, but you wouldn't listen…" An Ke's loud voice attracted the attention of others in the lobby, and his teammates around him laughed loudly and maliciously.

Xiang Tao was too lazy to say anything to those who were deliberately messing with him and went straight into the elevator.

Of course he wasn't impotent. He should have said that to Zhang Jun. But he hadn't thought that much at the time.

Xiang Tao leaned against the empty elevator and pressed the number twenty-four. The elevator vibrated slightly and began to ascend slowly.

How could he not have a girlfriend? A man as "charming, handsome, tall, and fit" as he was couldn't possibly not have one.

It was just that it was eight years ago. He had already entered the Sichuan team's youth team then. He often sneaked out at night to have fun because he had just turned eighteen, an adult, so he could swagger into bars and discos. Chengdu was a city of bright lights and rampant lust, and he could always meet many prostitutes in these red-light districts. Since being taken there by his older teammates—the first-team players—not long after arriving and losing his virginity, he had often frequented those places. However, since the youth team's allowance wasn't much, most of the time he could only look, not touch.

It was frustrating for a young man to have excess energy that couldn't be released. So, when he happened to encounter three young thugs harassing a girl near a middle school that day, he rushed up without saying a word, shouting "Aow!" He wasn't thinking about rescuing a damsel in distress; he purely wanted to vent his excess energy.

Having received professional training and possessing naturally good physical conditions, Xiang Tao ultimately knocked down the three little boys who were only in the third year of middle school. He was so excited while fighting that he didn't notice whether the girl had run away. When he finished, he realized the girl was still standing on the side.

"Why aren't you running? You still want to be harassed by these idiots?" he said, kicking the unlucky guys on the ground.

"N…no…not…" Perhaps she was frightened, the girl stammered, "I…I just wanted to…to say thank you."

Xiang Tao was stunned. The girl wasn't speaking Sichuan dialect but Mandarin with a bit of a northern accent.

"You're not a local?" Xiang Tao asked in his very awkward Sichuan-accented Mandarin.

The girl nodded desperately and then covered her mouth, saying, "But I can understand Sichuan dialect. Please don't…speak Sichuan-accented Mandarin."

Xiang Tao suddenly felt his heroism was a failure in front of the beauty—oh, forgot to mention, when Xiang Tao looked closely, he realized the girl in front of him was truly a beautiful girl.

Later, this high school freshman with the strange name "Youyou" became Xiang Tao's legitimate girlfriend.

Their relationship went through many trials, such as parental disapproval, third-party interference, and misunderstandings. But the two ultimately didn't break up. Xiang Tao had always been very satisfied with this. After entering the first team and making big money, he would win over her parents and then formally propose to Youyou.

But their relationship only lasted two years, three months, and nine days before it came to an end—of course, not some cliché plot of lovers separated by death. It was because Youyou's parents had gone to Canada to develop their careers three years ago. They were doing well and had officially immigrated to Canada, so they wanted to bring Youyou to Canada. Youyou had dragged this out for a long time, until after the college entrance examination, when she finally couldn't delay it any longer.

On the day Youyou left, Xiang Tao didn't even go to the airport to see her off but hid alone in the team dormitory, secretly smoking. He was almost expelled from the Sichuan youth team for this.

Actually, at that time, what he was thinking was that being expelled wouldn't be such a bad outcome.

At first, they could still maintain some online email exchanges, but as the two spent less time online, these electronic letters gradually decreased. Xiang Tao thought that perhaps Youyou had already found a new boyfriend in Canada. His first love only lasted two years, three months, and nine days before it ended, but it became a permanent pain deep in Xiang Tao's heart. So, he didn't want to find a girlfriend now because he couldn't forget the lively and lovely Youyou.

The elevator stopped with a "ding," and the door slowly opened. Xiang Tao stepped out but found something was wrong. This wasn't the twenty-fourth floor; at least, he didn't see the beautiful attendant across from the elevator.

He quickly realized he was on the first floor in the lobby…Xiang Tao tapped his head and turned back into the elevator.

※※※

"Don't get cocky just because we beat Kuwait 5:0. Tomorrow's opponent is the South Korean team, the strongest team in this group. We must not underestimate them!" Qiu Suhui was seriously explaining the arrangements for tomorrow to the players.

But Xiang Tao was contradicting him from below. "Ah ya! Coach Qiu, we haven't lost to South Korea since the Olympic team. I think many people here aren't afraid of Koreans at all. We don't have Koreanophobia!"

"That's right, that's right! Now it should be their turn to fear China." Someone echoed from below.

Qiu Suhui looked at these nonchalant players and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He desperately wanted to create a tense atmosphere, but it had no effect at all.

"Alright, Xiang Tao." Qiu Suhui looked at Xiang Tao and said, "If South Korea scores from your side in tomorrow's match, then you will be automatically suspended for three matches. How about it?"

Xiang Tao was stunned for a moment. "Seriously, coach? They also said…" He looked back but found everyone pretending to be well-behaved, as if no one had echoed him just now.

"Don't look around, I'm talking to you. What do you say?"

Qiu Suhui looked at Xiang Tao, and Xiang Tao didn't want to lose either. He stared at Qiu Suhui and then said, "Alright, I agree."

Krew whistled.

Xiang Tao glared back at him.

"Wang Laoji (nickname the teammates gave to the left back, Wang Ji), you have a chance now. You must seize it!" An Ke patted Wang Ji next to him.

Wang Ji smiled awkwardly.

Xiang Tao turned his head again to glare at An Ke, and An Ke glared back without backing down.

"Alright, stop fooling around and let Coach Qiu continue." It was Yang Pan's turn to play the role of captain at this time. As soon as he spoke, no one dared to say anything more.

"…Tomorrow…uh…damn, where was I?" After being disrupted by Xiang Tao and An Ke, Qiu Suhui suddenly forgot where he had been.

"Ahahaha—!"

A huge burst of laughter suddenly erupted in the meeting room. Even Yang Pan, who had been very serious just now, couldn't help but laugh. Even bolder people were stomping their feet and clapping their hands, and the scene was extremely chaotic.

In the end, Qiu Suhui had to give up the attempt to continue and joined his subordinates in laughing non-stop.

In the end, he couldn't successfully create a tense atmosphere. Perhaps it was really as Xiang Tao said, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. China had feared South Korea for more than twenty years, and now it was time for the Koreans to taste the "fear of China."

After the tea party-like pre-match preparation meeting, Qiu Suhui, as usual, went out for a walk with Hu Li to clear his mind and stabilize his mood.

Qiu Suhui stood in the garden outside the hotel, looking up at the gray night sky. Then he said to Hu Li next to him, "I remember the first match we led the team together was also against South Korea, right?"

Hu Li nodded. "The Olympic qualifying match against the South Korean Olympic team."

"You remember quite clearly."

"That was my first time coaching a national-level team, of course I remember it clearly. And I also remember that we both seemed a little nervous at the time."

"Don't talk nonsense. You were nervous. I was just comforting you."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

"Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, six years have passed, and those kids have grown up."

"And you're no longer excited to play against South Korea." Hu Li said to Qiu Suhui.

Qiu Suhui laughed. "That's because the Chinese team's opponents are no longer in Asia. Our eyes are now set on the wider world! Matches against Asian teams are no longer something for us to be excited about."

"Then why did you make that bet with Xiang Tao…" Hu Li was a little puzzled.

"I just wanted to stir up their fighting spirit. Also, to let outsiders see who's afraid of whom now. Although that kid Xiang Tao likes to cause trouble, he did say some good things. We have never lost to South Korea since we started building the team from the Olympic team, so we have no psychological burden at all, and even have an advantage. Besides, tomorrow is our home game. The fans in Sichuan are very enthusiastic and will not lose to South Korea's 'Red Devils cheering squad' at all." Qiu Suhui said with confidence. He saw the positive side of the team at today's preparation meeting.

※※※

Chengdu Sports Center (Special correction: Due to my lack of knowledge about Chengdu, I mistakenly wrote Chengdu Sports Center as Sichuan Provincial Gymnasium. In fact, only Chengdu's City Sports Center and Longquanyi's dedicated football stadium are qualified to host events such as World Cup qualifiers. Thanks to book friend "Linghu Chong" for the reminder.) is located in the center of Chengdu, only a ten-minute walk from the heart of Chengdu—Tianfu Square.

It has convenient transportation and a spacious square as a gathering point for fans, so the City Sports Center's popularity has soared during the qualifiers. Now, there are still three hours before the match starts, but many fans from all over the country have already gathered in Tianfu Square. It has also become a place for them to have fun.

There are many police officers around, vigilantly paying attention to the situation inside the square. Holding the World Cup qualifiers in Chengdu is a huge business opportunity for Chengdu, but it is also a huge test for Chengdu's police.

Fortunately, so far, the Chinese team's record has been outstanding, and the fans have not taken any excessive actions other than revelry.

Today, due to the match against China's arch-rival in Asia—South Korea—the number of people is even greater than before. Some Chinese fans are even holding up slogans insulting South Korea, but they are quickly confiscated by the police.

The fans are drumming and shouting slogans, "Chinese team! Rise up! Chinese team! Rise up!" Many fans from other places are also shouting like this with the Sichuan fans, and their shouts attract many tourists passing by Tianfu Square.

In addition to the enthusiastic fans, more than thirty media outlets have gathered here, filming the style of the Chinese fans before the Chinese team even departs.

When Old Niu from Changsha, Hunan, appeared in his Monkey King costume, he immediately drew cheers from everyone. Cameras and cameras alike aimed their lenses at him.

Old Niu wielded his golden cudgel and then shouted loudly, "The Monkey King fears nothing! The Chinese team will no longer fear Korea!"

"Good!!!" Like Peking opera enthusiasts, everyone shouted out loud. "Kill the Koreans! Fuck the Koreans!" Then, all kinds of swear words blurted out…

※※※

Qiu Suhui stood at the door of the bus and began to count the players.

"Hurry up!" He beckoned to Xiang Tao, who was staggering out of the gate.

Xiang Tao stretched lazily as if he hadn't woken up, and then deliberately slowed down his pace. Qiu Suhui went up and kicked him in the butt. "If you don't hurry, I'll make you run to the stadium!"

Xiang Tao quickly covered his butt and jumped on the bus.

The teammates on the bus were laughing at him, and An Ke was shouting loudly, "Xiang Tao! Don't forget the bet you made with Coach Qiu! Suspended for three matches, suspended for three matches!"

"Damn it! If you dare to deliberately let the ball through, I won't spare you!" Xiang Tao counterattacked without showing any weakness.

Qiu Suhui got on the bus and then asked Hu Li, "Is everyone here?"

Hu Li nodded. "Everyone's here."

"Okay, let's go! Let's go!" Qiu Suhui waved his hand.

"Oh!!" The players erupted in a huge cheer.

"Fuck the Korean bastards!" Xiang Tao shouted, raising his arms.

※※※

Faced with the imposing home fans, the Korean fans didn't seem afraid. They even shouted slogans like "The Republic of Korea will win" when passing through Tianfu Square.

The appearance of the South Korean "Red Devils" cheering squad caused a stir at the scene. The gazes of the fans on both sides were obviously unfriendly. The armed police quickly separated the crowd and ordered the Korean fans to leave Tianfu Square quickly and enter the stadium through the special passage arranged for them.

Watching the Korean fans leave under the escort of the armed police, the Chinese fans kept shouting behind them, "Koreans get out! Koreans are idiots!" The police didn't care, anyway, the Koreans couldn't understand.

Due to the deep-seated grievances between China and South Korea in football, the popularity of this match could be imagined even before it started. To this end, the Sichuan Organizing Committee specially left two blank stands on both sides of the Korean fan stand as a buffer zone to avoid direct verbal and physical conflicts between the fans on both sides.

The South Korean team's bus arrived earlier. When they appeared outside the stadium, they drew boos from all the Chinese fans. Since the Korean fans were forcibly driven into the stadium by the police, the South Korean team didn't receive cheers from their home fans, but instead enjoyed a "grand" welcome ceremony of boos.

As if to avoid South Korea, the Chinese team's bus slowly drove in after the South Korean team entered the locker room.

Their appearance caused the first climax at the scene. All the Chinese fans were shouting, "Long live the Chinese team! Chinese team rise up!" Some people even chased the car, constantly patting the car windows. When the players looked over, they immediately gave the players a thumbs up.

Zhang Jun looked at these fans and felt very touched. The Chinese fans are actually very lovable. When you treat them well, they will naturally treat you even better. It felt great to have these people give them a thumbs up. In the past, the Chinese team was just a dedicated tool for people to vent their anger, and the Chinese team didn't have much dignity to speak of.

But now everything is different. They have gained dignity, respect, and honor. And these are just because they play football seriously and work hard to bring joy to the fans. It's that simple.

This change is only because the mentality of the players has changed, but it can bring such magical effects. Now the Chinese men's football team is no longer a symbol of shame and tears, no longer a synonym for the Black Three Minutes, but a source of happiness for fans all over the country, a spiritual sustenance for them.

Zhang Jun thought that the Chinese Football Association and all Chinese stadiums should erect a monument outside to commemorate the Chinese football team's historic first entry into the World Cup finals. Of course, the monument should not be engraved with the "glorious images" of some players and coaches, but only a sentence should be engraved, prominently marked in vermilion:

Attitude determines everything.

We should really thank that Seville old man who we called a "quack doctor."

※※※

Due to the different arrival times, the two teams' warm-up times were just staggered. When the South Korean team was warming up outside, the Chinese team was still changing clothes in the locker room, and the Chinese fans did their best to boo the South Korean team, drowning out all the South Korean fans' cheers like "The Republic of Korea will win."

And when the Chinese team came out, the South Korean fans wanted to fight back with boos, but before they could open their mouths, they were drowned out by the huge shouts of "Long live the Chinese team! Chinese team rise up!"

In a pre-match interview with reporters, the current coach of the South Korean team, the Dutchman Advocaat, said that they were not afraid of the Chinese team because the Chinese national team had not won against the South Korean team in official matches in more than twenty years. They had an absolute psychological advantage.

But Qiu Suhui immediately countered that the South Korean team, with the Olympic team as the main foundation, had never won against the Chinese team, which also had the Olympic team as the main foundation, so they were not psychologically afraid of the South Korean team either.

Before the match even started, the two sides had already launched a war of words around psychology. And this war of words, through the media's rendering, immediately received a response from the vast number of fans. The media contributed greatly to the atmosphere at the scene being so enthusiastic.

This is our home game, and we will not let the Koreans get any advantage here! This is almost the idea of all Chinese fans. Otherwise, how can it be said that fans are products of paranoia? As long as it is a team they support, they will definitely support it at all costs. Similarly, as long as it is a team they oppose, they will oppose it at all costs.

There is absolutely no middle ground.

After finishing the warm-up, the Chinese team returned to the locker room and began to make final preparations for their match.

They took off their coats, wiped the sweat off their bodies, and then sat down to listen to Qiu Suhui arrange tactics.

"…We will still insist on attacking, and the team's offensive core is still Zhang Jun. Li Yongle, your responsibility is relatively heavy. On the one hand, you need to pay attention to defense, and on the other hand, you need to assist in the attack. The timing of your insertions needs to be grasped better…" Qiu Suhui smiled. "You are already the absolute midfield core of Inter Milan, so what I am saying is a bit superfluous. I believe you will master the rhythm yourself."

Li Yongle also smiled. He doesn't talk much before the match. Whatever he has, he will show it on the field.

"Krew, although the Koreans are physically strong and generally not afraid of technical people, I believe you will make them suffer, won't you?" Qiu Suhui said to Krew.

Krew was expressionless, neither admitting nor denying it.

Qiu Suhui understood Krew's personality, so he didn't think it was strange.

"Actually, in short, as long as you show the performance you have at the club, we will win this match. This is our home game, and we must first show the momentum to win, to lead South Korea, and then keep suppressing them! We must not let down those fans outside the field!" Zhang Jun suddenly felt that Qiu Suhui was somewhat similar to Sabato in some ways, such as both advocating offense and both emphasizing momentum.

Perhaps excellent coaches do have something in common in some aspects, especially excellent coaches who advocate offense, and the commonalities are even more numerous.

The tactical arrangements were very simple, not as complicated and lengthy as people imagined, because everything that needed to be specifically explained had been explained in the training the day before the match. Now, we only need to remind them a little. The specifics will still have to wait until the match starts to be seen.

Everything now is just talk on paper. Someone once said that the detailed and perfect plan formulated before the battle usually becomes waste paper within ten minutes after the battle begins. The same is true for football.

※※※

The match had just started, and it was still proceeding as Qiu Suhui had envisioned. The Chinese team, taking advantage of their home field, took the initiative on the field, threatening the South Korean team's defense from time to time, while the South Korean team could only take defensive counterattacks to prove that they had not been completely suppressed.

Zhang Jun, as the most lethal dangerous figure in the Chinese team, was closely marked by the South Korean team's defenders. But having gotten used to the marking of Italian defenders, he didn't take the South Koreans' defense seriously.

If it weren't for considering the tactical arrangements, to create opportunities for his teammates and not fight alone, he would have already gone through the South Korean team's defense line once.

In this match, the starting lineup that Qiu Suhui arranged was exactly the same as the one he used in the first match against Kuwait. Moreover, he even asked the two full-backs to boldly assist in the attack, directly using the attack to replace defense. This was exactly to Xiang Tao's liking, so he actively looked for opportunities to assist in the attack as soon as he came up.

However, because he assisted in the attack too frequently, the South Korean team also noticed this and focused their attack on the gap behind him. And every time An Ke had to face a South Korean's shot because of Xiang Tao's side, he would remind Xiang Tao to pay attention in a very special way: "Suspended for three matches! Suspended for three matches! Xiang Tao, you idiot! Do you really want this?!"

After being called an idiot several times by An Ke, Xiang Tao did not have the slightest intention to repent. He still assisted in the attack, assisted in the attack, and assisted in the attack as always, ignoring the South Koreans' sneak attacks.

When Park Ji-sung got the ball on his side and was preparing to break through, Xiang Tao chased back at high speed from the frontcourt like a madman, with a speed that amazed everyone. Park Ji-sung estimated that with his speed, he would not be able to completely shake off Xiang Tao within the next thirty meters, so he simply slowed down, intending to wait for Xiang Tao to come up and then rely on feints to deceive him.

Park Ji-sung plays for the Red Devils Manchester United and believes that he will not lose to anyone in terms of technique. Moreover, he has also studied Xiang Tao's characteristics, that is, he is not good at technical work.

However, Park Ji-sung made the wrong calculation this time. He wanted to use technique to deceive Xiang Tao, but Xiang Tao had no intention of playing with him with technique. He was sincerely trying to help, but Park Ji-sung was unappreciative…

He dribbled the ball slowly, while facing forward sideways, so that he could see Xiang Tao's actions and estimate Xiang Tao's sprinting speed. As long as he gently flicked the ball, he would definitely be able to easily shake off this reckless Chinese defender.

Closer…Xiang Tao was still speeding up, with no intention of slowing down to defend at all.

Park Ji-sung suddenly felt a bad premonition, because a battle-hardened defender could not be so reckless, it was simply showing him how to deceive him…

Almost within reach, Park Ji-sung had no time to think about Xiang Tao's strange behavior and quickly instinctively pulled the football under his feet, wanting to avoid Xiang Tao. But unfortunately, the sideline was behind him. If he pulled back, he would go out of bounds himself. Now, he could only rotate in a very limited space.

He had just pulled the football and saw Xiang Tao's smiling face with ill intentions, and his heart was startled. He quickly jumped up reflexively, and the football…of course, he couldn't take care of it.

Unfortunately, he jumped a little too late. Xiang Tao slid in with a tackle, knocking both the football and Park Ji-sung out of bounds together.

The football was blocked by the advertising board, and Park Ji-sung fell awkwardly at the feet of the linesman. The referee's whistle blew, but it was not to penalize Xiang Tao for a foul, but to signal that the South Korean team should take a throw-in.

Park Ji-sung was a little dissatisfied with this penalty. He jumped up, intending to protest to the main referee. You should know that if he hadn't dodged quickly, his supporting foot might have been crippled just now. That Chinese defender clearly wanted to kick him off the field directly.

The main referee just gave a throw-in, this was too outrageous! The home-field advantage should not be so nakedly displayed, right?!

Park Ji-sung angrily questioned the head coach in English, "Even if this is the Chinese team's home field! This penalty is unacceptable!"

Xiang Tao just happened to stand up and heard Park Ji-sung's words. He had also learned English when he was playing football in Belgium, and he could understand and speak it. So, when Park Ji-sung was dissatisfied, he said in a voice that was just right next to him, "Think about the 2002 World Cup. Even if it was your South Korean team's home field, you shouldn't be so shameless, right?"

Park Ji-sung's face changed, and he turned around to find trouble with Xiang Tao. And Xiang Tao didn't show any weakness. The two were head to head, like two angry bulls staring at each other. The main referee quickly blew his whistle to signal the two to separate, and the players on both sides rushed up to pull them apart. The atmosphere at the scene was instantly ignited by the conflict between the two, and the fans booed the Koreans loudly, as if they were afraid that the world would not be in chaos. Some people even threw mineral water bottles down.

Yang Pan grabbed Xiang Tao and shouted at him, "You idiot! The game has only just started for twenty minutes. What if you get sent off? Even if you don't get sent off, getting a yellow card is not okay! Be honest!"

Xiang Tao rolled his eyes and didn't say anything.

Krew, on the other hand, said in a gloomy voice, "Idiot. Doing this will only make the referee pay attention to you in the game, and you won't be able to do anything freely."

Xiang Tao's face changed when he heard this. "Damn it! You're not planning to grab someone's little brother again, are you?"

Krew ran away. "There are more than just that one trick to small actions, idiot."

※※※

After all the commotion, the referee still did not change the penalty. The South Korean team took a throw-in.

Park Ji-sung organized the attack with a displeased face. He was also a figure in Manchester United, but he was silenced by a small defender from Fiorentina. Park Ji-sung, who was greatly affected, was a little out of shape when he passed the ball. The pass was misplaced, and the football was blocked by Li Yongle's long leg and bounced to the side.

Park Ji-sung wanted to make up for his mistake, and he went to grab the ball himself. He happened to grab it with Krew.

Krew took the football one step ahead, but Park Ji-sung had not completely lost his chance. Although there was a person between them, he tried hard to stick his foot out from behind to poke the football away.

Krew pulled the football behind him and quickly turned around, making Park Ji-sung pounce in vain. More importantly, at the same time as he turned around, his hand waved and "very coincidentally" hit Park Ji-sung's nose bridge.

Krew passed the football to Li Yongle, who organized the attack. The Chinese team pressed forward as a whole, while the South Korean team tried to defend desperately. At this moment, no one noticed Park Ji-sung who had fallen to the ground.

The Chinese team's attack was very concise and fast under the organization of Li Yongle. It only took three passes to reach Zhang Jun's feet. Zhang Jun didn't make any extra moves and shot with his foot. Unfortunately, the football flew out of the baseline close to the goal post.

It was not until this time that South Korean players signaled that someone was injured and on the ground. Needless to say, the unlucky guy who was injured was Park Ji-sung.

The main referee ran dozens of meters before running to Park Ji-sung, and the Chinese team's goalkeeper An Ke, who was closest to him, stood by with an expressionless face, not saying anything to pull him up to show friendship.

The main referee pulled away Park Ji-sung's hand covering his nose, and the TV broadcast immediately pushed a close-up. Everyone saw that Park Ji-sung's nose and mouth were covered in blood.

The commentator wiped his sweat and said, "This match is really intense…not only is it full of gunpowder, but there are also bloody conflicts…"

The main referee quickly signaled that the stretcher and team doctor should come on the field. The TV screen began to repeatedly replay the scene of his competition with Krew just now. Because Krew's action was not "deliberately" hurting someone, and there was no foul, this was just a small accident on the football field, so the main referee could not give Krew any warning or punishment.

However, many people knew what was going on. He had just had a conflict with Xiang Tao, and then he was hit by this disaster. Even a fool would know that Krew was avenging Xiang Tao.

Xiang Tao grabbed Krew. "Hey, what part of your body did you use to hit him?"

Krew raised his right hand and pointed to the bone protruding from his wrist. "This part."

Xiang Tao also looked down at his wrist, as if he was studying how to accurately hit the part that should be hit.

Yang Pan looked at the two with a headache. He pulled Zhang Jun over. "Hey, take good care of your subordinates, look at what they're doing."

Zhang Jun gave Yang Pan a glare. "Now you are the captain of the national team. How can they be my subordinates? This is obviously an accident…haha." Zhang Jun laughed dryly twice.

"Damn it! You're getting more and more rogue under Sabato." Yang Pan cursed helplessly, "No wonder Basten sighs whenever he mentions you now."

Zhang Jun laughed sincerely this time. "I think it's good to be like this. It's very uncomfortable to keep everything in your heart. You and I are the same, we don't like the South Korean team, do we?" He patted Yang Pan on the chest.

Yang Pan raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, then you tell them to restrain themselves a little and not go too far."

Zhang Jun wondered, "You are the captain, right? It would be better for you to say this."

Yang Pan smiled. "Those two, my words don't work on them. It's better for you to say it, using rogue tactics to control rogues."

Zhang Jun had no choice but to call Krew and Xiang Tao to the side and solemnly reminded them not to go too far in everything. After all, the match comes first, and the act of teaching the Koreans a lesson should be done occasionally.

Xiang Tao didn't say anything, while Krew nodded. "Okay, I will reduce the frequency of accidents."

Even though they were teammates, Zhang Jun still couldn't help but shiver. This person, who could control the precise guidance of football, had just deliberately given someone's nose a hard blow, making their "face like a peach blossom," and now he could easily say "reduce the frequency of accidents," as if he was not hitting someone just now, but operating a machine program, and his heart would not have any emotional fluctuations for others being injured and bleeding. If there was one person in the Chinese team who was the most difficult to provoke and enrage, it might be this Krew Li.

Is he cold-blooded? But think about how he would take in stray dogs that had been homeless…Zhang Jun really couldn't figure