host must win

Chapter 724 Public opinion
"...Portugal is a very strong team, full of superstars. I know the game will be difficult, but we will still go all out." A video of the Chinese team's pre-match press conference appeared on TV, followed by pictures Cut back to the studio, the host said with a joking smile, "I don't know why, I always feel that Hahn always has a look of death when he says this... In fact, everyone knows that the result of this game is What, although the Chinese team was lucky to win the first place in the group stage, and then defeated Ecuador to advance to the quarter-finals, but no one should expect the Chinese team to beat Portugal... So far, Portugal has won four out of four games, the only one other than Brazil and Germany. The only team out there that still has a complete victory. Beating the Chinese team to enter the semi-finals is not a problem they should consider at all, what they have to consider is winning the championship..."

Although this is a program on British TV, the host did not intend to speak for the Chinese team at all, but told the truth.It may sound sad to Chinese fans, but it is true.

At present, all the eighth-finals have been played, and the eight teams remaining in the World Cup, Portugal is undoubtedly the favorite team to win the championship.

Before the start of the World Cup, Portugal was not favored, and the odds did not even make it into the top ten.However, with Portugal's three-game winning streak in the group stage and its strong victory over the mighty Netherlands in the quarter-finals, Portugal's odds have jumped to fourth before the start of the quarter-finals.

After the round of 1, major European gaming companies have re-evaluated the teams that have advanced. Brazil still tops the championship list with odds of 3.7 to 1, followed closely by Argentina with odds of 4. [-].It can be seen that the gaming company is still optimistic about the South American duo as always.

It is a little surprising that the German team ranks third with an odds of 6.5. This is a lot different from their previous situation.

Next up is Portugal.

………………

Originally, the yellow card battle between Portugal and the Netherlands shattered Portugal, and Deco, the core of the defense, was suspended. Although Ronaldo entered the list, it is really hard to say how much strength he retains after being injured.If the opponent is any strong team, it is very likely to beat Portugal to advance to the semi-finals, but their opponent is the weakest Chinese team in the quarter-finals!
Yes, even though the Chinese team has Yin Jun, in the eyes of these Europeans, the Chinese team is undoubtedly the weakest of the top eight. Even Ukraine is stronger than the Chinese team!
Portugal met the weakest opponent when it was weakest, which is undoubtedly very beneficial for them to advance to the semi-finals.At that time, Deke and others will come back after lifting the ban, and they will be resurrected with full blood.

This gives people a feeling that God is taking care of the Portuguese!

In fact, even the Chinese team's opponent, Portugal, may not have taken the Chinese team seriously, because they rested in Nuremberg for a whole day after the game against the Netherlands, and then rushed to Dortmund-if the opponent is Brazil It is absolutely impossible for a team like Germany and Germany to arrive so late. Basically, after the game against the Netherlands, they set off to prepare for the game, adapt to the weather and venue of the away game, and at the same time allow the players to fully rest.

Nobody saw anything wrong with Portugal heading to Dortmund after a day off in Nuremberg.

At the airport, Portugal's coach Scolari was interviewed by reporters. He said: "There is no easy game, and no opponent is easy to deal with. We will not take it lightly."

"...I don't know how Scolari held back his laughter when he said this...As long as Portugal plays normally, the Chinese team has no chance. I believe the Chinese team also has this view, It’s meaningless to fight against Portugal, and it’s enough for them to break into the quarter-finals of the World Cup, or they’re lucky enough…” The British TV host didn’t know whether he was laughing at himself or the Chinese team. "Originally, it should be England who competed with Portugal for the semi-finals. Whether it is Beckham, Rooney, or other players in England, they should be ashamed of this!"

………………

At the tactical meeting the day before the game, Alihan said to his team members: "Everyone has heard the voices from the outside world. There are many analysts who believe that Portugal is not an opponent we can beat, so we don't need to fight Portugal to the death. Let's be honest. , These analyzes are correct, objective and neutral. If I were not the head coach of the Chinese team, I would accept and agree with this statement. But I am not, I am the head coach of the Chinese team, I cannot accept this statement, and I don’t want you to Accept that statement."

Speaking of this, Alihan stopped to observe every player of the Chinese team and stared at them.

While staring at him, someone looked away.

"Don't run," Alihan said. "Don't run. Look into my eyes. I need to see your eyes. I want to know what's really going on in your heart."

When he said this, every Chinese player bravely looked at him.

After watching the lap, Alihan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Very good, I saw courage and unwillingness. We made it to the quarterfinals through hard work. Why should everyone think that we lost to Portugal in the game?" Is it a normal thing? I think we are weak, but in this World Cup, we are the best-performing team in Group B, and we are the face of the four teams in Group B! Then why can’t we compete with Portugal in an upright manner? a contest?"

"Do you know why so many teams are working so hard and trying their best to enter the World Cup? Is it for the World Cup participation bonus? That's something that people from the Football Association consider. As players and as coaches, what we consider is only In the World Cup, we can meet strong teams from all over the world, play against them, and know where we are in the world football. If we meet a strong team and feel that we lose to them for granted, then we Why are you here?"

"So contrary to the opinions of the outside world, I think that we should go all out when we meet a strong team, because such opportunities do not come often. If we play casually with the idea of ​​'we can't win anyway', I will only feel that It's a pity, not for me, but for you."

"We must go all out for this game. Even if our strength is far from Portugal, we must also play against them with the idea of ​​​​beating them on the court. And we have trained for four days for this. When the game comes Instead, we gave up this idea, so what is our effort in training? So tomorrow's game, I hope everyone will not hesitate in their hearts, concentrate on the game with the goal of defeating Portugal."

(End of this chapter)