Chapter 1 The Beginning

During halftime, the entire nation of China was talking about Zhang Jun’s goal just ten seconds into the game. CCTV5 even replayed it for three minutes, accompanied by expert commentary analyzing the brilliance of the goal from every angle. Even though it was a replay, every time the ball hit the net, Chinese fans erupted in cheers.

Later, the video of this goal became the most popular and most viewed soccer video online, adding a new chapter to Zhang Jun’s legend.

“This is the greatest Chinese national team since China has had soccer. Because they always inspire hope and anticipation. After successfully entering the top sixteen in the last World Cup, they have now proclaimed their ambition to win the championship in this tournament. Perhaps at first, people thought it was absurd, but after seeing their performance, many have shut their mouths. At this moment, Zhang Jun once again used a goal that broke the World Cup scoring time record to reaffirm our support and trust in them. This is a unique Chinese team," Li Yan wrote in his book dedicated to this World Cup.

Through various channels, one could deeply feel the excitement of the Chinese fans at that time. The World Cup stadiums in South Africa were almost turned into home fields by the passionate Chinese fans. Even before the South Africa World Cup, foreign media outlets believed that this would be the World Cup with the most Chinese people in history, and that was indeed the case. China’s economy had developed rapidly in recent years, and Chinese people now had the disposable income to travel abroad. Therefore, a large number of Chinese fans, with and without tickets, converged in South Africa, simply wanting to be closer to their idols. As a result, the Chinese team felt unprecedented support on foreign soil.

The support of the fans is also an important factor in the good results the Chinese team has achieved so far.

During halftime, the Chinese fans at the stadium, led by Niu Jianhua, known as the "National Fan Leader," kept singing, cheering, and creating momentum.

In this respect, the experienced Swedish fans were at a disadvantage.

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Zlatan Ibrahimović sat on the bench, head down and silent. He was dissatisfied with his performance in the first half, because although he had a few shots, none of them were very threatening, and he didn't score. When his team was behind and needed a striker to score, he went silent.

After Lars Lagerbäck spoke quietly with Svensson for a few words, he noticed Ibrahimović and turned to look at his partner, Söderberg.

Söderberg nodded slightly, so Lagerbäck patted Svensson on the shoulder: "Do well. Actually, you did a good job in the first half. Zhang Jun only scored one goal, and that goal had nothing to do with you, it was the responsibility of the whole team. You have to be confident that you can defend against Zhang Jun." After saying this, he turned to walk towards Ibrahimović.

"Ibra, I think we need to talk," Lagerbäck said, sitting down next to Ibrahimović.

Ibrahimović looked up at the coach, and out of courtesy, he said softly, "Sir..."

"Are you having some trouble? You didn't score in the first half."

Ibrahimović nodded in frustration.

"Ibra, you are definitely the most talented player I have ever seen. You are very smart, but why are you also troubled by this kind of problem? You are a striker, and also the main scorer, but Tommy and I didn't say that you must score in every game—of course, it would be good if you could score—you are putting too much pressure on yourself, so your performance is not normal. Calm down, and regain your composure as a striker. Goals will come to you sooner or later. Ibra..."

Ibrahimović listened to these words. The coach was right. He knew it himself, but for some reason, when he thought of competing with Zhang Jun, he couldn't stay calm. Now that he had been awakened with a word, he smiled and shook his head: "I know what to do, sir."

Lagerbäck laughed and stood up. He still had other work to do: "That's good. Ibra, work hard."

Just as he was about to leave, Ibrahimović suddenly stopped him again: "Sir, you just said that I am the most talented player you have ever seen, so what about Zhang Jun?"

Lagerbäck paused for a moment, as if thinking about how to answer Ibrahimović's question. Looking at his expression, Ibrahimović already knew the answer. He laughed: "Sir, you don't need to say anything, I understand."

Lagerbäck smiled unnaturally and shook his head: "Ibra, you know, he is a monster..."

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At this moment, "Monster Shrek Zhang" was receiving congratulations from his teammates in the locker room. The few people with the best relationships didn't say any mushy pleasantries. They immediately asked Zhang Jun to treat them to dinner, especially Yang Pan and Li Yongle, who were the loudest, because the goal was an opportunity created by the two of them for Zhang Jun.

In such a great atmosphere, how could Zhang Jun say "no," a word that would provoke public anger? Naturally, he agreed to whatever requests were made of him, and this would cost him a lot of money.

With a leading score and a favorable situation in the first half, everything was good for the Chinese team. Qiu Suhui couldn't find any fault either—although he had always insisted on the attitude of "nitpicking" towards the Chinese team, he also abandoned this behavior in this game today. There was nothing to remind the current Chinese team. We have a group of experienced players who are talented and have a good competitive mindset, which is commendable.

Qiu Suhui believed that with such a team, Sweden had no chance of a comeback at the moment.

We are very strong. After coaching the Chinese team for five years, this was the first time he was so sure.

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While the players on both sides were still resting and making final adjustments in the locker room, the Chinese fans in the stands had already started singing. From "March of the Volunteers" to "Ode to the Motherland," from "Swords Out at the Devils' Heads" to "Chinese," national, popular, and even bel canto... everything was available. Old Niu's special outfit attracted everyone's attention and naturally made him the best candidate for the conductor. His golden glittering golden cudgel was a large baton.

Li Yan was so moved by the fans' performance that he was beyond words. Over the years, he had naturally seen many big scenes and had long learned to be indifferent. He didn't expect to be so excited to see such a scene.

Chinese fans have always been the most enthusiastic, but in international competitions, due to their lack of professionalism, they always made a lot of jokes, such as disguised advertisements like "Anhui Tanggangzi Fan Association" and "XX Company Fan Cheerleading Group," and the behavior of only using horns to cheer. Now our fans are finally behaving as professionally as the fans of those old world powers, using songs and their own voices to cheer for the team, which is far better than the noise of horns. The uniform movements add to the momentum and also created a lot of trouble for the opponents. Looking at the Swedish fans now, the stadium stands in the entire first half were the territory of the Chinese. As a Chinese journalist, how could he not be happy?

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At the end of halftime, the players from both sides returned to the field. Xiang Tao and Zhang Jun walked together, and he joked with Zhang Jun with his signature style: "You're really awesome, Zhang Jun. You shot it in just ten seconds, shot it in just ten seconds!"

Zhang Jun wasn't an ignorant teenager who didn't know anything about the ways of the world, so he could naturally understand the meaning of Xiang Tao's words. He immediately raised his hand: "Looking for a beating!" After Xiang Tao deftly dodged, he laughed triumphantly at Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun deliberately wore a stern face: "Stop laughing, you. In the second half, think about how to defend against Ibrahimović. He is a difficult character to deal with."

Xiang Tao looked disdainful: "Tch, what's so difficult about that? I defended him so well in the first half that he had no temper. I guess he's squatting in the corner crying during halftime."

Zhang Jun snorted: "Good luck to you. Don't be the one squatting on the ground crying then." Then he ran straight onto the field. Xiang Tao stuck his tongue out at him behind his back and ran up as well.

The Chinese players were all relaxed.

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The second half began.

Why did Qiu Suhui say that he couldn't find fault with the current national team? Because if the previous national team was leading in the first half and the situation was all good, then these players would definitely become complacent during halftime. Now that the second half has started, the players are relaxed, but they don't mean to underestimate their opponents.

The Swedish team also didn't show much impatience. They were patiently looking for opportunities.

Ten minutes into the game, neither side had scored, and there weren't many opportunities. Neither Qiu Suhui nor the two Swedish coaches made any adjustments.

Anyone with eyes could see that Ibrahimović in the second half was different from Ibrahimović in the first half, very different.

In the first half, the Swedish lad only knew to bury his head and look for opportunities to shoot, and then forcibly shot regardless of whether the timing was right. This led to the team wasting several good opportunities for no reason.

And in the second half, he handled the ball more reasonably, shooting when the opportunity was good, passing when there was no opportunity, and occasionally contributing a few wonderful assists. In fact, this is how he usually plays. He was not normal in the first half.

Xiang Tao also felt the change in Ibrahimović. In the first half, because this person only knew how to shoot, it was quite easy to defend against him. The second half was different. He felt the pressure. He had to defend against his shots and try to prevent him from passing the ball. The relaxed smile on Xiang Tao's face gradually disappeared.

Ibrahimović took the ball again, and just as Xiang Tao forced his way up, the other party passed the ball out, making Xiang Tao run for nothing. Xiang Tao glared at Ibrahimović and ran back again.

Without Zhang Jun reminding him, he certainly knew that Ibrahimović was not easy to deal with... Damn it!

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Baumsson was now panting as he waited for Krew, who was not far in front of him. Although Krew didn't have the ball at his feet, he still didn't dare to relax. This game was really tiring. In the first half, he had even looked down on this Chinese guy, but later he was tormented so badly by him that he really wanted to fall down in the locker room and not get up during halftime.

Yang Pan passed the ball from the right to Krew in the middle. Baumsson became nervous and lunged towards the ball. Krew also ran towards the ball. The two were bound to meet, and that would be a good opportunity for Baumsson to intercept the ball.

He believed that even the most skilled players would reveal a flaw at the moment of receiving the ball, and their bodies would be a little stiff. This was the moment for him to intercept the ball. As long as he was quick, he wouldn't commit a foul.

Come on! Come on, kid!

Just as Baumsson was making all the preparations, Krew spread his legs and let the ball pass through his crotch! This made Baumsson feel like he had been played.

He looked at the ball that had leaked to the left and then turned back to glare at Krew.

Xiang Tao and Baumsson were truly a pair of "miserable souls" in this game.

※※※

The Swedish team attacked the Chinese team's hinterland again. This time, Yongberg's dribbling was successfully intercepted by Li Yongle, who then passed the ball directly to Krew in the diagonal front without making any adjustments!

Baumsson was very strictly implementing the coach's tactical arrangements, which was that he would not go up to participate in the attack even when his team was attacking, but would wait behind Krew. Today he was going to go all out against Krew.

Krew looked back at the ball and then at Baumsson in front of him. He suddenly thought of a very bold plan, a move that no one had ever made on the World Cup stage.

The ball came from behind. Krew slowed down a little, and Baumsson forced his way up as he had imagined. Then Krew led the ball forward with his left foot. The ball flew forward in the air, and Baumsson aimed at the right time to kick it away. Even at the risk of being called for a studs-up foul, he had to intercept Krew's ball. This had nothing to do with tactics, it was purely revenge after being played by Krew time and time again.

In fact, he liked his aggressive movements. He liked to see the expression of panic and helplessness on his opponents' faces as they gave up the ball and dodged for fear of getting injured.

Krew saw Baumsson's dangerous move, but he didn't plan to dodge, and he didn't plan to give up the ball. He directly flicked the ball lightly with his right foot, which made it easier to dodge Baumsson's foot. At the same time, he accelerated forward. Baumsson's foot in front of him was hit hard by him, and the whole person spun and flew to the side! This scene made many Swedish players on the bench gasp. Baumsson's physical strength was well-known in the Swedish team, but he was actually knocked away by this seemingly weak Chinese guy!

The referee originally planned to blow his whistle after seeing Baumsson's action, but he quickly saw that it was Baumsson who had been knocked away, so he put the whistle back down and ran forward with Krew.

Krew was a little staggered by the collision, but he quickly adjusted his pace. At this time, the ball was still in the air, and then he was going to perform soccer skills that would amaze everyone.

He stretched out his right foot and flicked the ball up again, while adjusting the distance so that his body approached the ball. His thigh then supported it again. Once, twice, three times, he dribbled the ball forward as he did in training!

In this way, he still had time to turn his head to look at the situation on the field, as if dribbling the ball forward was a common thing for him, and he could do it without full concentration!

He flicked the ball with his right foot and then switched to his left foot. His legs alternated, keeping the ball from touching the ground while advancing quickly. The entire stadium was boiling. People didn't expect that Krew could still make this kind of juggling move in such an important World Cup match. This is what it truly means to enjoy soccer!

Chinese fans started screaming loudly—this is what they had learned from the Fiorentina fans. For Krew's dribbling, they could only express their excitement by screaming. Krew liked to hear such sounds.

Because the Chinese team was immediately launching a counterattack after intercepting the ball, there weren't many people in the Swedish team's backfield at this time. There was a lot of space for Krew to display his juggling dribbling skills. The screams from the stands rose and fell one after another, and even the commentators couldn't suppress the excitement in their hearts, repeatedly shouting Krew's name while slightly mocking Baumsson, who was stumbling and chasing after Krew.

While others were amazed by Krew's impromptu performance, Zhang Jun didn't stay on the sidelines to admire it. He was actively running in front, waiting for Krew to pass the ball to him.

After advancing nearly thirty meters in this way, Krew saw Zhang Jun and also saw the opponent's defensive position. He felt that it was time to pass the ball, so he unhesitatingly kicked the ball to Zhang Jun in the air.

Just as the fans were still immersed in Krew's dreamlike performance, Zhang Jun had already shaken off Svensson, who was defending him, and then shot.

Although Svensson had been shaken off by Zhang Jun, he didn't give up. Instead, he turned around and used his hand to interfere with Zhang Jun's shot. This was a very crucial interference, and Zhang Jun lost his balance because of it. The ball was shot out, and although the power was great enough, the angle was too straight, and it was caught by the Swedish goalkeeper Isaksson.

Zhang Jun waved his hand in frustration, then turned around and saw Svensson getting up from the ground. This kid's defense is getting better and better... But for me, is this a good thing or a bad thing?

He shook his head and ran away with a wry smile.

※※※

The TV was still replaying Krew's juggling dribbling process just now. Every time it was replayed, the commentators would marvel at it. In his opinion, even if Ronaldinho came, he might not dare to make this kind of move in a game.

Unlike others, Baumsson's eyes looked as if they were spitting fire as he looked at Krew. He had been played by this Chinese guy again. In his soccer understanding, you can get past me, that means I'm not as skilled as you, but you absolutely can't play me like this! That's an insult to me!

He vowed to take revenge in this game.

Xiang Tao's game was not easy either. Ibrahimović's number of shots had decreased compared to the first half, but the threat was greater. This Swedish guy's skills were really unquestionable, and Xiang Tao had to bring out all his abilities to defend.

Ibrahimović didn't seem too concerned about Krew and Zhang Jun's performance. He was now wholeheartedly focused on the game. He didn't care about his opponents. He only wanted to help the team achieve the ultimate victory.

The several protagonists in the game all had their own thoughts. The game went on for sixty-five minutes. For the rest of the time, those who wanted to prove something and win something in the game had to work hard.