Chapter 5: Encountering a Strong Opponent, Five-Star Brazil
When the match between the China Youth Team and Germany ended, the results of the other matches also came out.
The Japan Team suffered a last-minute defeat to Morocco in the 92nd minute, and Syria was eliminated by the defending champions, the Brazil Team, in a penalty shootout.
Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses like Italy, Argentina, Netherlands, and Spain all easily advanced to the next round.
As a result, the China Youth Team, which upset Germany, became the sole representative of Asia.
This made many fans in China feel very proud. In the past, the National Football Team was eliminated early, and they could only watch other Asia teams compete in international competitions.
They never expected that one day, they too would experience the feeling of being the hope of the entire village.
However, this joy did not last long. With the announcement of their quarter-final opponent, the National Football Team fans could no longer smile.
Because the China Youth Team's next opponent was the defending champion, the Brazil Team!
After witnessing the strength of five-star Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, the name Brazil has almost become synonymous with football.
As a football kingdom, the strength of Brazil football is all-encompassing.
Not only is the senior team strong, but their youth teams are also incredibly strong.
The Brazil Youth Team has won the World Youth Championship four times, making it the team with the most World Youth Championship titles in history.
The China Youth Team's best result was only reaching the quarter-finals of the World Youth Championship. The historical foundations of the two teams are vastly different, incomparable.
Furthermore, in the 2002 World Cup, the National Football Team was bloodied 4-0 by the Brazil Team, which further ingrained in many people the belief that Brazil football was invincible.
Facing such a strong opponent, the China Youth Team's chances of advancing were indeed very slim.
Thus, even before the match began, many fans had already started sighing, as if the China Youth Team had already lost the game.
“Alas, the next match will probably be the China Youth Team’s last battle!”
“Brazil Team, why is it always you? It was you in the World Cup, and it’s you again in the World Youth Championship. Are you trying to fleece us to death?”
“It’s truly outrageous. If this continues, the Brazil Team will really become the bane of our China Team!”
“If we had known we would encounter the Brazil Team, we shouldn’t have fought for first place in the group stage!”
“Indeed, if we hadn’t fought for first place, we might have avoided the Brazil Team and other strong teams like Argentina later on.”
“If they hadn’t met the Brazil Team, the China Youth Team really would have had a chance to contend for a spot in the semi-finals. Alas, what a pity for this China Youth Team!”
“It’s okay, just consider it training. I don’t expect the China Youth Team to win, but they must play their own style and show their strength.”
“If they can score a goal, that would be even better!”
“Enough talk, I’m going to book my flight now. No matter whether the China Youth Team wins or not, I want to be there to cheer on these young lads!”
“Me too!”
“Me too + 1!”
...
Why are the National Football Team fans so adorable?
Because even though they curse fiercely, when it comes to action, they really step up!
Given the income level in China in 2005, the cost of a round-trip flight would probably be equivalent to many people's income for more than half a year.
...
The China Youth Team's coaching staff also seemed to know that their next opponent was very strong and that they had little hope of winning.
So, after the round of 16 ended, Klaus Toppmöller waved his hand and gave the players a day off to relax.
Since training in Germany and preparing for the World Youth Championship, the China Team had not had a break for a long time.
As the saying goes, work and rest should be balanced. Constantly pushing players is not a good thing.
Appropriate relaxation is very necessary.
However, the Football Association seemed very dissatisfied with Klaus Toppmöller's decision.
“With a strong enemy ahead, shouldn’t we seize every minute to intensify training to strive for a good result?
If they need to rest, they will have plenty of time after the World Youth Championship ends. There's no need to take a break now.”
Mr. Li felt that the old man Klaus Toppmöller was getting old and confused.
As the saying goes, sharpening the spear on the eve of battle, it may not be fast but it will shine.
Just like students facing the college entrance examination, before the exam, they must study and practice intensely. How can they go out and have fun?
Klaus Toppmöller glanced at him and said disdainfully,
“Mr. Li, have you ever played football?”
Mr. Li choked at the question. He was a technical official and did not have experience as a professional player, but he immediately retorted,
“Our Chinese Football does not practice a one-man rule. We advocate for team democracy, and everyone has the right to express opinions and suggestions!”
Klaus Toppmöller nodded: “Okay, I’ve heard your opinions and suggestions. You may leave!”
He clearly adopted an attitude of 'you can say whatever you want, but I won't listen or adopt it.'
This infuriated Mr. Li, who immediately made a harsh remark:
“I will report today’s events truthfully to the Football Association. Hmph, I’d like to see how long you can remain in the head coach position!”
With that, he slammed the door and left.
The Chinese coaching staff members looked at each other. Klaus Toppmöller and the Football Association were already not on very good terms, and today he had another unpleasant falling out with Mr. Li.
This would only further deepen the rift between the two sides, making them all start to worry about Klaus Toppmöller's coaching position.
“Old Klaus, although you were recommended to the Football Association by the Bad Blankenburg base, the Football Association’s 3-year contract was signed with the Bad Blankenburg base. Your contract renewal will only be confirmed after the Germany sponsor implements the second phase of sponsorship. If Germany doesn’t provide the sponsorship, you might…”
Coach Zhang Haitao, one of the Chinese coaching staff members, said worriedly.
Although the old German man had a stubborn temper, was a bit obstinate, and also held onto his own opinions, disliking others' advice,
this old man truly had something valuable!
Having followed this old man all the way, several Chinese coaches felt they had benefited greatly and learned many things.
Moreover, under Klaus Toppmöller's guidance, this China Youth Team had largely taken shape, possessing its own distinct characteristics, and its performance on the field was commendable.
In the future, using them as the core, building the 2008 Olympic stars would be no problem at all.
Especially after Klaus Toppmöller, shortly before the World Youth Championship, somehow unearthed Lin Feng, a promising talent, everyone became even more optimistic about the future of this China Youth Team.
Once this China Team achieves success in the 2008 Olympic, all of them would rise in status, and their future prospects would become bright.
So no one wanted to withdraw at this time.
If Klaus Toppmöller were really dismissed by the Football Association and replaced by another coach, whether this China Youth Team could still reach such a height would truly be hard to say.
If it really messed up, wouldn't their beautiful wish of gaining experience and polishing their resumes with the China Youth Team go down the drain?
From this perspective, these members of the Chinese coaching staff were in the same trench as Klaus Toppmöller.
Klaus Toppmöller didn't care:
“I’m this old, I should have retired a long time ago.”
“Besides, your Football Association is so stingy, the salary is so little. If it weren’t for these kids, I wouldn’t have wanted to do this long ago. If they want to dismiss me, let them dismiss me. It’s a good chance to go back and enjoy my grandchildren and live out my golden years.”
After speaking, he looked completely unconcerned, closed his eyes, and lay on the recliner, preparing for a nap.
Seeing this, the Chinese coaches looked at each other, and finally could only sigh and shake their heads as they left.
As soon as they left, Klaus Toppmöller immediately jumped up from the recliner.
He sharply scanned his surroundings, confirmed that the others had left, then quickly walked to the door, closed it, and drew the curtains.
His movements were so agile, completely unlike a 65-year-old man!
After getting everything ready, Klaus Toppmöller turned on the projector and played the Brazil Team's match recordings he had collected, studying them intently.
Rest?
Rest my ass!
With a formidable enemy ahead, how could he possibly sleep!
“That Mr. Li was right, ‘sharpening the spear on the eve of battle, it may not be fast but it will shine!’”
It's always right to be more prepared!
Everyone else was rigorously training the players, while Klaus Toppmöller chose to rigorously train himself.
What a strange old man!