World Cup of Great Powers

The game is over.

2 to 1, the Chinese youth team got their wish and defeated their opponents.

Entered the Asian Cup finals for two consecutive years.

At the post-match press conference, Head Coach Akihiro Nishimura said:

"In this game, I am still the same as in the past, requiring the players to pass the ball as quickly as possible and get out of the ball as soon as possible."

"But today the overall movement of the Chinese team is very good, and their coach adopted a very special tactic for this game, and their tactic worked very well."

"That's one of the reasons why we lost."

"Another point is that not only we have begun to pay attention to the physical fitness requirements of the players, but also the Chinese team."

"Especially their right-back."

"In him, we saw the shadow of West Asian players."

The West Asian player that Akihiro Nishimura is talking about is naturally Eric.

As the first frontier player selected for the national title, Eric Wood's performance in this game is remarkable.

First-half errors and conceded goals did not break the youngster's first-time selection.

On the contrary, it aroused his stronger competitive spirit.

In the second half, whether it was defense against the wing, supplementary defense against the center, or even an assist, you can see Eric's positive figure.

Zeng Zheng also said bluntly: "Ali Kemu is the best achievement of the Chinese Youth Team in this Asian Youth Championship!"

The results of the two semi-finals were basically within the expectations of the fans.

The host Iran team won the two-Y war at home;

The China Youth Team defeated Little Days, defeated Japan and South Korea in the competitions of the three-tier national brands, and completely completed the East Asian hegemony.

Now, the two overlords in East and West Asia will join forces in the finals to compete for the title of the strongest new generation in Asia.

Isn't this kind of battle exactly what is depicted in countless historical stories?

As soon as the results of the game came out, various football sports newspapers in Iran exploded.

The media has been waiting impatiently for a long time.

In recent years, the Iranian team has frequently lost in major competitions, and has almost no intersection with the Chinese team, which has been advancing all the way.

The only game against the Chinese team was the group stage of the Asian Games two years ago.

But in the subsequent knockout round, the Iranian team lost again.

The well-known Tehran Daily in Iran made a prediction before the start of the China-Iran championship match:
"The Chinese team showed great strength at the beginning of this competition, showing the level that the defending champion should have."

"Although there are reservations in the subsequent games, only teams with strong strength can count the qualifications for every group match."

"And the final result of the group stage was just as the Chinese team expected. They achieved the predetermined results in every game."

"In previous comments, we have always regarded the Chinese team as the biggest obstacle to our championship, because their speed and physical advantages are exactly what our team lacks. The skills of the Iraqi team and the fighting of the Iraqi team are even more of a headache for our youth team."

"Now, the two teams have met in the championship game as they wished. Therefore, the outcome of this game depends a lot on the desire of both sides to win."

"Presumably our youth team will not easily give up the chance to win the championship at home."

Another newspaper in Iran, "Izvestia", also wrote an article to comment on this Asian Youth Championship after the game.

When the article mentioned the China Youth Team, it believed that "this is a team with distinctive characteristics."

The UAE's "Unity" published an article entitled "East Asian Football Leads in Asia".

The article believes that: "China, Japan, and South Korea performed well in this Asian Youth Championship and the Asian Cup that just ended in China, which proves that East Asian football has begun to take the lead in Asian football."

When the article introduced the China Youth Team, it said: "The football team of this sports giant has been working hard to break out of the shadow of the Japanese and Korean teams."

"In this year's Asian Youth Championship, the Chinese team not only defeated South Korea in the first match, but also defeated Xiaozizi again in the just-concluded semi-final."

"It's eerily similar to the games in the Asian Cup."

"And, compared to the competition with the Japanese and South Korean teams for supremacy in East Asia, the Chinese team is obviously very adaptable to the Arab team's style of play. They have never lost to a West Asian team in these two large-scale competitions."

"And their fast offense and aggressive pressing often make it difficult for the West Asian teams to deal with."

"Through the competition of the Asian Youth Championship, it can be seen that the football gap between East and West Asia will gradually become apparent in the next few years."

"In this Asian Youth Championship, the Chinese youth team has emerged such enviable new stars as Qu Bo, An Qi, and Eric Mu."

"And most of the teams in West Asia have poor records."

"Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Oman not only failed to qualify, but the only Saudi team that entered the semi-finals in the Asian Cup was eliminated in the qualifiers."

"It can be seen that the future of the teams in West Asia is not reassuring."

For the upcoming Asian Youth Championship finals, except for local Iranian fans, almost no West Asian media is optimistic about the Iranian team.

In addition to the bad relationship between them, the strong strength of the China Youth Team is also in front of them.

Speaking of it, it's not how powerful the Chinese youth team showed in this Asian Youth Championship.

On the contrary, many media believe that, so far, the China Youth Team has not shown its full strength to fight against its opponents.

Whether it is against Japan or Korea, the China Youth Team has won just right.

In the words of martial arts practitioners, it's like pointing to the end.

And Zeng Zheng's "plan to qualify" caused huge waves in the Asian arena.

After watching the match between China and Japan, the Iraqi coach said:

"When the Chinese youth team faced their old opponents, they did not kill them all."

"Even the goal they conceded in the first half felt like a tiny mistake by accident."

"It seems like it's all in coach Zeng's plan."

"In this Asian Youth Championship, coach Zeng performed an unprecedented 'plan to qualify'."

"This is also unique in all previous competitions in Asia."

"In the past, we could only see a stronger team face a weaker team in major competitions such as the European Cup and the World Cup. Through the adjustment of the third game of the group stage, the team can enter the knockout stage. Get a relatively good state."

"But I have never seen a team that plans to qualify from the second group stage."

"This time, the Chinese team led by Coach Zeng taught us a lesson."

"It certainly made me reflect as well."

"Could it be that the Chinese team is already this strong now?"

"Has the Chinese team now surpassed the highest level in Asia by a large chunk?"

"Even if it is placed among the world's top teams, can the Chinese team still be in the middle and upper reaches?"

"We don't know these speculations. Perhaps only the World Cup can test the achievements of the Chinese team in developing football over the years."

"The only thing I know at the moment is that the third and fourth finalists have suffered a small day. This is definitely great news for Iraq."

"Facing the small days, we will avenge the Asian Cup; if we encounter the Chinese team, we will have no chance of winning."

The Iraqi coach can be said to have expressed the aspirations of countless West Asian coaches.

Since the Chinese team won the Asian Cup.

The true strength of the Chinese team has been somewhat unclear.

In some media in East Asia, there are reports that the Chinese team is at the second-tier level in Asia;

However, among the countries in West Asia, some media said that the true level of the Chinese team is already close to that of the European and American teams.

In addition to the real results of the Chinese team, U19, and U16, there are also personal factors of Zeng Zheng himself.

Everyone knows.

Since taking over the coach in 98, the Chinese team has gone further and further in the hands of this young man.

During this period, countless wealthy clubs and national teams have offered an olive branch to Zeng Zheng.

Said that after the 02 World Cup, no matter what level the Chinese team plays, whether they enter the World Cup or not, they can come to them as the first pick to coach.

Especially the national teams of Asia, Africa and Latin America are eager to see Zeng Zheng.

But Zhu Xie obviously won't let Zeng Zheng go easily.

Zeng Zheng never thought of leaving.

The old saying goes well.

The revolution has not yet succeeded, and comrades still need to work hard.

Troussier also stayed in Africa for seven or eight years.

For a head coach who is committed to changing a country's football, Zeng Zheng's coaching time is still too short.

Plus he is so young, bamboo shoes in many countries said.

Even after many years, they still expect Zeng Zheng to coach in their country.

The most typical ones are Mexico and Paraguay. Zhuxie of the two countries expressed the hope that they can sign a contract with Zeng Zheng to prepare for the 2022 World Cup.

After reaching the final, the China Youth Team had a rare break.

Facing the interviews of the reporters, the team members said that although this Asian Youth Championship was fierce, so far, they have not felt any pressure.

Zhang Yaokun: "Nervous but not nervous. With coach Zeng here, I always believe that we are invincible! It's just that I have been out for so many days, and I feel a little homesick."

An Qi: "Coach Zeng treated us very well. I learned a lot from him. Now there is only one Asian Youth Championship left. My goal is of course to win the championship. As for the future, I hope to transfer to a An A-team that suits me."

Yan Song: "Nothing else to say, go back and open champagne after winning Iran! Haha, maybe I will be the main force of the club after I go back this time."

During the few days of rest, the coaching staff of the China Youth Team analyzed their opponents.

Judging from the previous games, although Xiaotian won a big victory in the group stage, the opponent's strength should be on par with Iraq.

In this regard, Tang Pengju said that if he had a real fight with Iraq in the group stage, he might be able to test the opponent's strength.

But it's too late to say anything.

The Chinese team has not played against the Iranian team for a long time.

Before this game, the team leader Lang Xiaonong also specially held a pre-match preparation meeting.

The whole team is required to show their own level in the game, with particular emphasis on style.

Zeng Zheng fell asleep listening to it.

This is not playing in Tokyo.

In Tehran, what style issues can there be?
"...Although you have reached the finals and won Argentina's right to participate in the World Youth Championship."

"But at this time, domestic fans will not think about the right to participate in the World Youth Championship you have won, because the results of the group stage are a thing of the past."

"After defeating Little Days in the semi-finals, the championship battle against the Iranian team will be even more difficult."

"Don't forget, this game was broadcast live to domestic fans on TV. If you don't perform well on the field, I'm afraid you won't be able to explain to domestic fans."

"I hope everyone can play their true level in the game and successfully defend the title."

Although Zeng Zheng was not impressed by these bloody speeches.

But these "highly anticipated" young people on the scene were obviously affected.

Yes!

Zeng Zheng won the Asian Youth Championship and the World Youth Championship in a row last year.

If they didn't even win the Asian Youth Championship this year, how would they explain it when they go back?

How to face those fans who have great expectations for them?

In the final oath, the big guy almost broke his throat, yelling out the words "swear to win the championship".

On October 10, Tehran Azadi Stadium.

The scene was crowded with people, and all 10 seats were sold out.

The first match was the third and fourth place finals, Iraq VS Little Days.

As soon as Iraq started, they played offensive football.

At 6 points in the first half, Amar made a breakthrough from the right and made a cross. Emmabu got rid of the defender and made a pass after receiving the ball from the far end.

From this ball, the Iraqi team started their offensive frenzy.

In the 16th minute, the core midfielder Kazuyuki Morisaki dribbled the ball in his own half and was intercepted by the opponent. Amal passed the ball to Emad.

The latter drove straight in with the ball, and with a skillful shot, hit the goalkeeper Yosuke Fujitani with a "wicket".

The Iraqi team opened the scoring first.

After conceding a goal, Xiaotian stepped up his offense and used smooth short passes to cooperate with him to get many opportunities.

The substitute goalkeeper of the Iraqi team, Noah Jixing, was brilliant. Although he made many mistakes in the first half, Xiaotian also failed to seize the opportunity. The Iraqi team led 1-0 in the first half.

In the second half, the physical strength of the Iraqi team members obviously declined, and the opponents gradually took the initiative.

In the 61st minute, Yuichi Komano took a free kick, and Toyo Tahara, who was ambushing at the far post, scored a header to tie the score.

Since then, the two sides have taken turns to change players, trying to maintain the physical strength of the players on the field.

Although Xiaotian had a clear advantage, they failed to create better opportunities, and the two sides had to enter overtime.

Both sides also created several opportunities in the first 10 minutes of extra time, but they all returned without attacking.

When the last minute of the first half of overtime, Nashat made a long pass from the backcourt, and Xiaotian's defender and goalkeeper misunderstood in defense.

They gave way to each other, but Emad seized the opportunity, kicked the goal with his left foot, and the ball fell into the net from the air.

With this golden goal, Iraq beat the opponent 2-1.

While winning No.3 in this Asian Youth Championship, he also avenged the Asian Cup.

After a short break and clearance, players from both China and Iran came to the field to warm up one after another.

The championship battle of this year's Asian Youth Championship has just begun.