Chapter 167 National Anthem

The TV was still replaying Chile's second goal over and over, and Duan Xin and Zhang Lu were still analyzing the reasons for China's loss…

But all of this only made the Chinese fans in front of the TV feel even more suffocated.

Ever since the group draw results came out at the end of last year, a pessimistic mood had permeated among Chinese fans. Because this group was too strong.

Chile was the only soft persimmon they had hoped to pinch at will.

But now, this soft persimmon had given the Chinese team two heavy punches, leaving both the team and the fans reeling.

If they couldn't even beat Chile, how could China qualify?

Playing the Netherlands next without Zhou Yi, could they win? It was simply a pipe dream.

The third game, against a desperate Spain, could they win? Probably not optimistic either.

The internet was filled with mourning.

"...The weakest team in this group turned out to be ourselves…"

"The impact of losing Zhou Yi is far greater than what those analysts think! Because Zhou Yi's significance to the Chinese team is definitely not just on a tactical level. Look at how flustered the Chinese team became after losing the first goal without him? If Zhou Yi was there, I believe the second goal would definitely not have been conceded! This is the opinion of a Dortmund and Chinese team fan!"

"Damn it! What the hell is the national team playing?! They were completely suppressed by the opponent from the start of the match, with no counterattack at all!"

"I said it before, after we secured our place in the World Cup, we should have used a more competent foreign coach to replace Gao Hongbo... I'm not worshiping foreigners, but in the football world, the level of foreign coaches is just better than our domestic coaches... If we could have changed coaches at that time, then re-formulated a preparation plan and ideas, and then used a year to train, I believe we wouldn't be showing such a performance now, right?"

"Sigh, the media is still hyping up the 'strongest Chinese team ever', but it looks like they still won't even be able to get out of the group stage... What strongest ever, can they score a goal first before talking!"

"Before the game, they thought the opponent was the only soft persimmon in the group that they could pinch at will, and they were all looking forward to victory. But after the game started, they realized they couldn't pinch it at all... This script is so familiar, I saw it at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea..."

"I haven't watched the national team for a long time. I heard that there were several talented players playing very well overseas. Today, I excitedly turned on the TV, intending to watch the 'strongest Chinese team ever', but what I saw was such a piece of garbage! It seems I overestimated Chinese football. The national team is really hopeless. Forget it, turning off the TV! It's making me angry!"

…

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The game had restarted, and the Chinese team, having conceded two goals, still looked very passive against Chile.

They didn't have an advantage on the field.

The morale-boosted Chilean team continued to attack the Chinese team's goal, threatening Sun Pan's goal.

Fortunately, Sun Pan's characteristics dictated that he performed better in unfavorable situations.

After conceding two goals, he quickly recovered from the blow.

He made two brilliant saves to ensure that the Chinese team did not concede any more goals.

Although Sun Pan saved the team, the situation did not improve.

The Chinese team was still at a disadvantage on the field, and there were no signs of improvement in the short term.

National team coach Lippi stood on the sidelines, frowning and looking serious. Obviously, he also felt that this situation was very tricky.

The internet was filled with curses and wailing, the commentators were worried, and the famous coach felt that the situation was tricky…

Just then, Zhou Yi, who was originally sitting on the bench, suddenly stood up, then walked to the sidelines. He didn't shout or yell, but just stood there, watching the field.

Although he didn't speak, his appearance on the sidelines was already an eye-catching event.

At this time, there was a dead ball on the field, and both sides noticed Zhou Yi's presence.

When the Chinese players saw Zhou Yi, Zhou Yi pressed his hands down, placed them on his waist, and made a "don't panic" gesture.

Lippi also noticed Zhou Yi's move. He turned his head to look at Zhou Yi, without saying anything or making any movements.

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"Zhou Yi walked to the sidelines... He made a 'don't panic' gesture to his teammates... Zhou Yi is definitely not as calm as we see him. Although he can't play, he is still doing his best to help the team from the sidelines! The Chinese team has reached its most dangerous moment, and we need someone to stand up! Zhou Yi stood up. A true core can play his role even when he is not on the field!"

Duan Xin was very excited to see this scene.

Not only him, but also tens of thousands of Chinese fans at the scene were excited. Some were Chinese living in Brazil, employees of Chinese-funded institutions, or students studying abroad. Some were die-hard fans who flew all the way from China to Brazil to cheer for the Chinese team.

Soon, a faint singing voice rang out from the stands where Chinese fans were gathered in the Pantanal Arena.

At first, the singing was not very uniform, but soon, when every Chinese fan realized what song it was, they immediately joined in the chorus.

"...Arise! Ye who refuse to be slaves! With our flesh and blood, let us build our new Great Wall! The Chinese nation faces its greatest danger! From each one comes the urgent call to action: Arise! Arise! Arise! Our million hearts beat as one! Braving the enemy's fire! March on! Braving the enemy's fire! March on! March on! On!"

The national anthem of the People's Republic of China could not have been more appropriate here.

The majestic singing swept over the Pantanal Arena, clearly reaching the ears of the players on the field, and also transmitted to China, thousands of miles away, through satellite signals.

The Chinese fans in front of the TV also couldn't help but sing along, even though their singing could not be heard at all.

The national anthem brought peace and morale to the Chinese players. On the one hand, it calmed them down, and on the other hand, it made them high-spirited and full of enthusiasm.

When the game resumed from the dead ball, it was the Chinese team who controlled the ball, and they launched an attack on the Chilean goal with the grand chorus of the national anthem from the stands as background music.

Finally, He Ying completed a shot.

Although the football was shot too straight and was caught in the arms of goalkeeper Bravo, it did not form a goal.

But after all, this was the first shot of the Chinese team in this game. This was a beginning, not an end.

On the sidelines, Lippi walked back to his seat after this attack, and then said to his assistant, "Gao is right, the real leader of this team is Zhou Yi. Even a world-famous coach can't shake his position."

The assistant nodded and said, "Thank you, Gao. He told us all these things, which is really helpful to our work..."

※※※

The Chinese team completed their first shot. Although they didn't score, everyone seemed to come alive.

When Chile launched an attack, Sanchez again wanted to directly turn the ball past while facing away from the attacking direction.

But this time, his ball was cleanly intercepted by Yang Muge, and he himself stumbled and fell out.

No foul, clean action.

After intercepting the ball, Yang Muge immediately passed the ball to Zheng Zhi.

"Good ball! Yang Muge defended beautifully! Sanchez wants to use the same trick to deal with Yang Muge, isn't he underestimating Schalke 04's main defensive midfielder too much!" Duan Xin said this with pride and arrogance in his tone.

"Yes, this is Yang Muge's normal level." Zhang Lu next to him was also very happy.

As the Chinese team gradually returned to normal, it became difficult for the Chilean team to completely suppress the Chinese team on the field. Now the two sides were playing back and forth, with mutual offense and defense. The game was finally normal…

This made the domestic fans who were previously disappointed in the Chinese team also change their tune and cheer for the team online.

"The Chinese team is awake!"

"This is the Chinese team we want to see!"

"Yang Muge is handsome! Tell those sprayers! This is the real level of our Lao Yang! He is a defender who can make Zhou Yi feel depressed in the Revierderby!"

"Sanchez actually wants to come again? Doesn't he know that for the Saint Seiya, the same trick cannot be used twice?"

"Go China! Listen to the national anthem at the scene. Those who have come all the way to cheer for you have not given up. The game has only started for more than ten minutes, how can you give up?! Don't forget, you promised Zhou Yi that you will never let his comeback lose its meaning!"

…

No matter how much they scolded before, Chinese fans still wanted to see the Chinese team perform well. The previous scolding was just anger from "hating iron for not becoming steel".

But once the team performed well, they would definitely not be stingy with their enthusiasm.