Green Field Eunuch

Chapter 640 Target: Champion, Guaranteed Top 4?
Meanwhile, in another stadium...

Greece leads Ivory Coast 2-1, and the match has ended.

Despite winning the victory, the Greek players were anything but happy.

China's victory over Colombia has effectively ended Colombia's hopes of qualifying for the next round.

Meanwhile, the referee had already blown the whistle to end the match.

"The match is over, 3-0! In their final group stage match, the Chinese team achieved a resounding victory over Colombia, securing three valuable points. Although Greece defeated Ivory Coast, China's win over Colombia propelled them to the top of the group with these three points!"

When He Wei said these words, his face turned red, showing how excited and thrilled he was.

"This is a historic moment! The Chinese men's national football team has entered the knockout stage of the World Cup finals for the first time! Ladies and gentlemen! This is a historic moment! We have witnessed the birth of history! Thank you Shan Yongzhuo, thank you Gao Hongbo, thank you Zheng Zhi, thank you Zeng Cheng, thank you Feng Xiaoting... Thank you to every player who fought hard on the field, and thank you to every fan who cheered for the Chinese team!"

"At this moment, we are the happiest people. Let's enjoy this moment to the fullest!"

When the referee blew the final whistle, the Chinese team players, coaches, and staff waiting on the sidelines could not contain their excitement and rushed onto the field to celebrate with the players.

Gao Hongbo walked over and shook hands with Colombia's veteran coach, Pekerman.

Pekerman, showing great sportsmanship, congratulated the Chinese team on their victory.

The two also wished each other's teams the best of luck in going further in the future.

Compared to Ivory Coast's coach Ramucci, Pekerman appeared much more courteous.

He didn't dwell on so-called pragmatic football, but instead praised the Chinese team's defensive performance along with Gao Hongbo.

This also left a very good impression on Gao Hongbo.

Shan Yongzhuo did not celebrate with his teammates immediately; instead, he was pulled to the mixed zone by reporters for an interview.

"I'm very happy that the team was able to defeat Colombia and advance as the top team in the group." Shan Yongzhu smiled in front of the camera, not showing much excitement, but maintaining his usual gentlemanly demeanor.

"This is a victory achieved through the unity of the whole team. Next, we need to prepare for the knockout stage. We will continue to maintain our form and enthusiasm. We will not be eliminated in the first round of the knockout stage. I have that confidence. We will go further. From now on, every step we take is making history."

"Personal goals? Of course I have them."

Shan Yongzhuo smiled and said, "My personal goal is of course to win the championship, but that's a very difficult goal."

"But for me, the minimum goal is to reach the semi-finals!"

Shan Yongzhuo's words were very assertive and excited the media.

Who is this?
This is Shan Yongzhuo, the world's number one soccer star.

Shan Yongzhuo is also known as the world's number one gentlemanly player, and he always speaks with the impeccable manner of an old cadre.

I never expected him to make such a statement.

Aiming for the championship, or at least the top four?
When will the Chinese team be able to shout such a slogan?

The media immediately organized a report, spreading Shan Yongzhuo's bold statement.

Such a bold statement immediately sparked heated discussions online.

"Aiming for the championship? At least the top four? Damn, no wonder he's the Great Demon King Shan!"

"Brother Dan is so powerful and domineering!"

"Brother Shan, please stop talking. I really believe you now, what should I do?"

"If you believe it, then believe it. When has Xiao Dan ever made any boastful claims?"

"Waiting for the semifinals!"

"Heh, you're getting cocky after beating Colombia? Waiting for Shan Yongzhuo to get knocked out in the first round and prove him wrong!" "Upstairs, you're idiot!"

"+1"

"..."

The topic quickly became a hot topic of discussion on Chinese social media.

Meanwhile, Shan Yongzhuo was already celebrating with his teammates. They were below the stands where Chinese fans had gathered, thanking the Chinese fans who had traveled from afar.

Whether it was the fans in the stands or the players in the stands, everyone was extremely happy, with the brightest smiles on their faces.

Although this Chinese team had already won the Asian Cup before participating in the World Cup, and was recognized as the number one team in Asia, known as the pinnacle of Asia.

But none of those moments can compare to this moment.

That's right, in many people's eyes, an Asian Cup champion is not as good as a World Cup Round of 16 finisher.

The Chinese team's historic entry into the round of 16, coupled with Shan Yongzhuo's bold statement in an interview, has greatly excited Chinese fans.

Although it was already the second day and dawn had broken, news about the Chinese team kept flooding the internet: post-match interviews, various messages on Weibo, forum posts...

It's being posted everywhere.

Everyone participated enthusiastically, like it was a grand carnival.

Many people who are not football fans at all have also participated.

Although I'm not a football fan and don't stay up late to watch games, it's still something to pay attention to that the Chinese team has made it into the World Cup round of 16, and may become the only Asian team to represent China.

Moreover, the news that the Chinese team defeated Ivory Coast, drew with Greece, and beat Colombia to advance as the group winner has excited many non-fans even more.

That's the charm of football; the world's number one sport has that kind of allure.

Even the Olympics cannot compare.

Only football can truly garner such widespread attention and discussion, regardless of victory or defeat, advancement or elimination, it can generate significant global interest and discussion.

In this relatively peaceful era, sports are a war without gunpowder, and football is the most extreme example of it.

In the past, the Chinese team was unable to participate in the very center of this battle and could only be a spectator.

Even the United States, which doesn't place much importance on football, can frequently qualify for the World Cup finals, and even reach the round of 16 or the quarterfinals.

As a major power, the Chinese team always faltered early in the competition, with their only appearance in the finals resulting in three consecutive defeats.

Now, the Chinese team is finally able to participate.

They even made it to the round of 16, a historic achievement.

But the revelry lasted only a day, and then everyone realized a more important problem.

Who will be China's opponent in the round of 16?
The answer came quickly.

The third round of matches in Group D also came to a quick end.

Costa Rica, who had already secured first place in their group, drew 0-0 with England, who were already eliminated.

In the brutal do-or-die match where the winner advances, Uruguay defeated Italy 2-1, eliminating four-time champions Italy and advancing as the second-place team in the group.

As a result, the Chinese team will face a strong South American team in the round of 16, Uruguay, the fourth-place finisher in the last World Cup, who are two-time champions.

(End of this chapter)