World Cup of Great Powers

Chapter 368 The Last Battle

When everyone is looking forward to the halftime break, the head coaches of both teams can make some adjustments to the teams to make this dull game better.

Surprisingly, neither Zeng Zheng nor Worrell made any changes.

After the start of the second half, not only the personnel arrangement was exactly the same as the first half, but the situation was also roughly the same.

For the Chinese team, it is just a matter of changing the goal to defend.

The German players, however, were still at their wits' end.

The midfielder's non-threatening long shot, the winger's non-threatening cross, and no ball could pose an effective threat to the Chinese team's goal under the double-decker bus of ten defenders.

Now, the fans couldn't understand it anymore.

But the scouts and coaches in the stands were all nodding.

For Worrell, not making changes is actually more difficult than making changes!

Yes, the situation is indeed very boring.

But think about it carefully, in the World Cup, which is held every four years, everyone has worked hard to reach the semi-finals.

In this case, who wants to take the risk?

It is the most helpless move for the Chinese team to play like this.

But Voller's German team has a lot of room for maneuver.

If nothing else works, go to the penalty shootout.

Kahn, who saved three goals in a row in the Champions League back then, is not better than a local goalkeeper who has played in the domestic league in China?

"This game was actually destined to not be good from the beginning."

In the stands, Scolari's scouts gave this view.

"After discovering at the beginning that neither one could do anything to the other, the goal of both sides was no longer to score goals, but to avoid being scored first by the opponent."

"Based on this tactical premise, we can then organize and attack."

"This is the semi-finals! No one is willing to take the initiative and act as a target for the other party!"

As Scolari's staff said, after all, it is a team that has entered the semi-finals.

Rather than saying that both sides are unwilling to attack, it is better to say that neither side is willing to break this situation.

Of course, this does not mean that maintaining this situation will definitely lead to the last laugh.

In sports competitions, there will definitely be a winner and a loser in the end.

As time passes by.

Players' physical fitness, cooperation, and will gradually become the key to the game.

In a game like this, only time can bring about the biggest turnaround.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Zeng Zheng stood on the sidelines with a relaxed look on his face.

But only he knows that this is the most difficult time for the Chinese team to survive.

On the German team's side, there were seven or eight players lining up on the sidelines to warm up.

If the Chinese team does not consider changing the goalkeeper, there will only be two substitutes available.

If he were Worrell, he would definitely take advantage of this if he wanted to break the situation!

"Such a game consumes a lot of physical energy!"

On the other side, Woller had obviously discovered the clues a long time ago.

After half-time thinking, his expression was obviously more relaxed than in the first half.

"In the last match against South Korea, the Chinese team almost wiped out all its assets."

"The reason why they adopt such an all-out defense is not only due to tactical requirements, but also because most of them are offensive players."

Worrell smiled easily, "In addition, these starting players already have injuries."

"It won't be long before the first attrition will occur!"

Worrall is right.

People like Xie Hui, Shao Jiayi, and Zhang Xiaorui are not defensive materials at all.

With Li Weifeng and General Fan unable to play, Zheng Zhi, the youngest player, took on the heavy responsibility of defending in the middle.

Almost every time Ballack dribbles the ball, Zheng Zhi will focus on the opponent, ready to rush forward to steal the ball.

This is what Zeng Zheng explained before the game.

However, even if God is like Zeng Zheng, it is impossible to tell him exactly what to do.

Things are changing rapidly on the court, and many times when Zeng Zheng's voice arrives, it's already too late.

In the 49th minute, Schneider made a pass from the right, and Bode was already in place at the back post.

Fortunately, the Chinese team had too many players in the middle, and Shao Jiayi's tackle quickly knocked the ball out of the baseline.

Subsequently, Neuville took a corner kick from the left, and Bode shook his head 6 meters in front of the goal and missed the far post.

One minute later, Frings passed the ball to the back post from the other side.

The ball was in the air, and Zhang Xiaorui actually hit it.

Fortunately, Bode did not get any shooting space under Wu Chengying's pressure. The ball hit his arm and the referee called a handball.

"The German team seems to have found the first vulnerability of the Chinese team."

These wonderful attacks in front of the goal made the commentator's eyes light up.

"In this game, the Chinese team lost their air superiority."

Under the command of Voller, the long pass from behind gradually became the unified offensive method of the German team.

Didn't you force me to cross from the wing?

Okay, then I'll pass it in for you!

This kind of long pass that spans more than half of the penalty area not only makes it difficult for Ou Chuliang to attack, but also causes confusion in the positioning of several defensive players in the middle.

In the one-on-one matchup at the back point, the taller German players can obviously take more offensive advantages.

In the 62nd minute of the game, under the watchful eyes of German fans around the world, Voller finally made substitution adjustments.

The young Klose was replaced by a veteran named Bierhoff.

This is a German veteran born in 1968.

He is 87 meters tall and weighs kilograms.

With such a human-shaped tower standing in the penalty area of ​​the Chinese team, whether it is receiving or transferring, it seems extremely easy.

"Xiao Zeng, the forward the German team replaced is extraordinary!" Chi Shangbin said nervously.

"Bierhoff is currently playing for Milan. He was only selected for the German national team at the age of 27. He is a late bloomer."

"Of course, you can also say that these German teams are old and have no one available."

"But no matter what, Bierhoff's statistics in Milan are good."

"His header ability is no worse than Klinsmann's."

After hearing Zeng Zheng's introduction, Jin Chi and both of them fell silent.

After a long while, Jin Zhiyang asked: "Xiao Zeng, what about us?"

"What are we?" Zeng Zheng smiled and pointed at General Fan who was wearing a staff uniform, "Just let Lao Fan guard against him. With Lao Fan's experience and physical fitness, although it is not better than Earhoff, It’s still possible to defend him.”

"Xiao Zeng, are you kidding me? Xiao Fan has accumulated yellow cards."

"That's it!" Zeng Zheng spread his hands, "It's hard for a good woman to make a meal without rice. Could it be that you want An Qi to be a defender?"

Upon hearing her name, An Qi quickly shook her head like a rattle.

If Zeng Zheng really arranged for him to play against Bierhoff, he might subconsciously catch the ball with his hands.

If that really happens, this World Cup will really be interesting to watch.

After hearing Zeng Zheng's explanation, Jin and Chi also sighed.

Indeed, the Chinese team did not concede a goal for 60 minutes. This result is enough to explain to the fans.

Just like Zeng Zheng said, it’s up to people to plan things, but it’s up to God to make things happen!

After Bierhoff came on the field, the German team's offense took another wave.

On the other hand, Zeng Zheng did not make any tactical adjustments.

This kind of low-post defense is already the strongest defensive method he can use.

If this cannot be prevented, then Zeng Zheng has nothing to say.    As for the attack?

Leave it to the players on the court.

Didn’t you say that you are the superstar of a certain team?

Then show me whether a true superstar can really influence the game!

Zeng Zheng has made up his mind.

Unless there is cramp, injury, etc., he will never make a substitution.

Even if players are replaced, it is only to stabilize the defense, not to attack.

In the 66th minute, Metzelder made a pass from the left. Neuville's far post was not high enough to take off, and the ball rubbed his scalp and flew to the sideline.

In the 67th minute, Schneider broke through the baseline on the right and passed back. Ballack dunked Zhang Xiaorui in the middle and shot low with his left foot 19 meters in front of the goal. Ou Chuliang confiscated the ball.

Then, Germany immediately stole the ball in the midfield, Hamann made a long pass, Bierhoff shot a volley with his right foot from the edge of the penalty area, and Ou Chuliang flew to catch the ball.

The German team attacked more and more fiercely, and the Chinese team's double-decker bus began to shake.

In the 71st minute, Shao Jiayi's foot was stepped on by Ramilao, and a stretcher carried him off the field.

Zeng Zheng had no choice but to replace it with the root and tail.

In the 73rd minute, Yu Genwei, who had just come on, tried to break through Ramelo on the left, but was called a foul by the referee. Yu Genwei looked aggrieved and found it difficult to understand.

In the 74th minute, Neuville kicked the ball from the left. Bierhoff fell while fighting for the top in the penalty area. Then he stood up and said that Zheng Zhi pushed him down from behind.

However, the referee did not blow the whistle.

Judging from the slow motion, before Bierhoff took off, Zheng Zhi actually made a pushing movement with his hands.

As the game entered the last 15 minutes, Worrell made another substitution card.

Forward Neuville, who impacted most of the game, was replaced and replaced by Asamoah, who played for Schalke 04.

This is the first black player in the history of the German national team. Asamoah, known as the "Buffalo", can be regarded as an iconic figure in the absorption of "foreign populations" in German football since the mid-90s.

Seeing this black and hard body, the faces of the Chinese team members looked extremely ugly.

Bierhoff's height and Asamoah's collision are both beyond the reach of a single player.

After that, the pace of the game became faster.

In the 78th minute, Wu Chengying was forced to push Asamoah down while defending. Schneider took a free kick on the right side of the front court. Bierhoff headed the ball to the back post and Hamann volleyed a hook shot near the right baseline. On the side net.

In the 80th minute, Schneider's corner kick was cleared by Zhang Xiaorui, and Frings volleyed with his right foot 25 meters in front of the goal.

No one in the penalty area touched the ball, but the ball itself ended up missing the far post.

In the 81st minute, a scene happened on the court that Worrell least wanted to see.

During a massive press, the Chinese team used Genwei's speed to once again launch a defensive counterattack.

After passing two defenders, Yu Genwei strode forward alone and rushed towards the gate guarded by Kahn.

At this time, the only person standing in front of Yu Newei was Link, who retreated hastily.

Facing Yu Genwei who was rushing forward with the ball, Link kept retreating, retreating, and retreating again.

Just when Yu Genwei wanted to deceive Link's center of gravity with a bicycle kick, Link, who was leaning sideways, suddenly stretched out his foot and took the initiative to grab him.

Seeing this, Yu Genwei quickly pushed the ball to the other side to avoid Link's feet.

However, after he pushed the ball out, a strong man suddenly rushed out from beside him, pulled and pushed it, and knocked it far away.

"Beep!!!"

The whistle sounded.

Referee Mel ran forward and showed a yellow card to Ballack who fouled without hesitation.

This is the first yellow card the German team has received in this game.

This is also the yellow card that Worrell least wants to see!

Because of this yellow card, Ballack will face a suspension in the next game!

In other words, for Ballack, this yellow card means that he will bid farewell to the World Cup early!

Seeing the yellow card appear, the Germans immediately realized what had happened.

A large number of German players rushed forward and surrounded Mel.

But what he got in exchange was a penalty that had already taken effect.

Although the Chinese team failed to score, a dark cloud hung over the Germans.

The Chinese team can fight for the game regardless of any shame, but the German team still has to retain its strength to compete with Brazil or Portugal for the championship!

Now, the most important player in the German team, Ballack, is facing a yellow card suspension.

From the coaches to the fans, no one accepts this reality.

At this moment, a German player heard a few whispers from Voller on the sidelines, quickly ran to the court and whispered something in Ballack's ear.

The next second, the German God of War, who was at the center of this whirlwind, instantly regained his previous calm and sharp eyes.

Now that the fact has become a reality, he will use the remaining time to finally give the German team a ride!

After blocking the Chinese team's free kick, Kahn immediately got up from the ground and threw the ball to Schneider with all his strength.

After the latter got the ball, he immediately sprinted with all his strength, trying to create an easier offensive situation before other Chinese players returned to their positions.

Fortunately, Yang Pu chased back in time and blocked the ball out of the baseline, and the Chinese team once again escaped.

In the 83rd minute, Germany played a clever corner kick. Schneider passed the ball back from the right to Hamann at the front of the penalty area. Hamann then kicked the ball to the back post. Bode almost headed the ball back to the goal from the baseline.

It was Zheng Zhi who sacrificed his life for the rescue again, and took the ball away from Bierhoff with one kick in advance.

If you don't pay attention to this tackle, someone may be injured.

Before the Chinese coaching bench could swallow its heart, the German team's offense struck again.

In the 84th minute, there was a melee at the front of the penalty area of ​​the Chinese team. Ballack rushed forward, knocked away two defenders and then turned around and shot 18 meters in front of the goal. Ou Chuliang blocked the right post.

Immediately afterwards, the German team took another corner kick.

Ballack was in the center of the penalty area, headed a long pass to the left, and immediately volleyed to the other side of the goal from the right side of the penalty area.

Bierhoff's header from the edge of the small penalty area was weak, and Ou Chuliang held the ball with both hands.

After controlling it as much as possible for a few seconds, Ou Chuliang kicked the ball out, and then it was quickly intercepted by the German team.

Facing the German army's pressure on the border again, all the Chinese team members gritted their teeth and prepared for battle.

In the 85th minute, the German midfielder made a direct pass and handed the ball to Ballack.

After Ballack took a step forward, he quickly distributed the ball to Bierhoff who was standing in the penalty area, and then continued to move forward.

The latter immediately understood Ballack's intention and pushed the ball back to Ballack with a push from the arch of his foot.

Facing the back pass from his teammate, Ballack rushed forward with force, broke away from Du Wei's restraints, and then stretched his feet to reach the ball again.

At this moment, Zheng Zhi, who was assisting in the defense, rushed out from the side.

He stretched out his right hand and directly grabbed Ballack's jersey.

After defending for more than 80 minutes, Zheng Zhi's fingers had already settled the score, and the tiger's mouth was also shaken to the point of pain by the opponent's attempts to break free again and again.

But this time, he resolutely grabbed Ballack's jersey in an attempt to reduce its impact.

However, an unexpected situation occurred for Zheng Zhi.

Just when Ballack's jersey was holding up a small arc, the German team's God of War, who had been running for the whole game, screamed, fell to the ground, and rolled several meters on the ground.

When Ou Chuliang saw this, he quickly stepped forward and hugged the ball.

As soon as the ball entered his arms and he was still warm, the referee's whistle sounded.

Under the disbelieving gazes of tens of thousands of Chinese fans at the scene, Meier pointed at the penalty spot and took a penalty kick!

Seeing this, even Zeng Zheng on the sidelines couldn't help laughing out loud.

"The mighty German god of war, Ballack, actually 'dive' for victory?"

Zeng Zheng turned his head and found Woller on the other side, nodding and smiling at him.

"Beep!"

As the referee blew his whistle, Ballack, who was in front of the penalty spot, rushed towards the ball with indomitable momentum.

(End of this chapter)