Reverse.

Chapter 78 Dancing Flames

Chi Zhen got the ball on the left again and was intercepted by two Qatari defenders.

This time he did not dribble the ball and force a breakthrough himself, but tried to cooperate with his teammates.

He passed the ball to the attacking midfielder Fu Xiaofeng who came up to receive the ball.

He then bypassed Qatar's right-back Ayew Soura and headed diagonally towards the penalty area.

Seeing this, Fu Xiaofeng passed the football over.

He passed the ball in front of Chi Zhen. At this time, Chi Zhen just needed to fully utilize his speed advantage.

But his speed advantage was not brought into play... because he was entangled by Ayew Sura.

The two men ran forward with their arms entangled.

Chi Zhen couldn't speed up at all.

In the end, although he received the ball before Sura, he lost the suddenness.

And Sura was still sticking to him, and he couldn't get rid of the defense.

Seeing this, Chi Zhen could only pretend to pass the ball, then adjust his body direction and pass the ball back to Fu Xiaofeng who came up to receive it.

Seeing that players from both teams were gathered here, Fu Xiaofeng simply moved to the right.

However, during the transfer of the ball, the Chinese team lost possession of the ball, allowing Qatar to launch a counterattack.

Fortunately, the Chinese team returned to defense quickly and disrupted Qatar's counterattack.

Wang Lie witnessed the entire process of the Chinese team's transition from offense to defense when they were attacked by Qatar.

There was no expression on his face, but he was sighing in his heart.

Chi Zhen is a ball-oriented player. He needs to control the ball under his feet to create a threat.

Coach He's current tactic is to make full use of Chi Zhen's ability with the ball, allowing Chi Zhen to be the engine of the team and drive the entire team.

In fact, Chi Zhen did not play as a striker in the national team before, but was a winger like he was in Scouse.

Because at that time the Chinese team used themselves as the core of the offense.

At that time, he had basically lost his speed and flexibility and could only be a standing center in the penalty area.

Since a center forward is the core, all tactical ideas must consider how to get the ball to the center forward's feet or head.

As a winger, Chi Zhen is a right-footed player, but he has the ability to cross with his left foot. He can frequently create threats by using his speed and dribbling ability on the wing.

But he was just one of those people who served himself.

In fact, even Wang Lie himself could see that Chi Zhen had a bright future.

As long as I retire, Chi Zhen will definitely be the core of the national team.

But it seems that the national team can’t wait for me to quit…

Because of the failure in the Asian Cup, the national team made up their minds to take action against the national team, or to be more precise, to take action against themselves.

Coach He, the "honest man", did the most "dishonest" thing.

He removed himself from the national team's main lineup, and then promoted Chi Zhen from winger to center, making him play as a forward in the national team.

Pair him with a real center who can pass the ball, Tan Xingchang, and the whole team designs tactics, positioning and personnel deployment around Chi Zhen.

With Chi Zhen's characteristics, under this tactical system, he can be both the initiator and the terminator of the attack.

If he wants to score a goal, there are others to do it for him.

If he is to run the offense, he can also serve others.

From this point of view, Chi Zhen does play a much greater role than himself in the national team.

In the past one or two years, due to the obvious decline in my physical function, I have become more and more like a standing center on the court.

But he doesn't have good back-to-the-basket ability like a real center.

If he wants to score a goal, he needs to have a center forward in the penalty area to help him attract the attention of the defense and pass the ball to him. Only in this way can he use his world-class shooting skills to shoot and score.

If he is allowed to play as a lone striker, the Chinese team's offensive effectiveness will not be very good.

Now he is not like Chi Zhen who can dribble through and pass several people - although he could do that when he was young.

Not only can he dribble the ball, but before his physical function declined, he could often withdraw from the penalty area to participate in offensive passes and could also deliver good and lethal passes.

Later, as I got older, my physical function declined. Even if I left the penalty area, it was difficult for me to pass the ball beautifully like before. Because my ability to fight was also declining, it was not easy to hold the ball.

Therefore, the national team coach later let him be a center forward in the penalty area. At least he could use his shooting and headers to score.

Now that Chi Zhen has become the core, the national team's performance is indeed better than before.

But there are hidden dangers.

For example, just now the Chinese team failed in two consecutive attacks.

As a player who must hold the ball to pose a threat, Chi Zhen is obviously easier to defend.

In the first match between China and Qatar, Chi Zhen was already the offensive core of the national team, but in the end they only won by a single goal at home.

It was because Qatar parked the bus throughout the field, and every time Chi Zhen got the ball he had to face at least two people defending him.

Chi Zhen played very hard in that game. He did not just concentrate on dribbling the ball, but combined individual breakthroughs with team cooperation.

In the end, he scored a goal with his strong personal ability and achieved his first victory among the top 12.

Chi Zhen was actually in very good shape in that game.

But Chi Zhen, who was in such good form, could only score one goal when facing Qatar's dense defense.

This is because Qatar’s offensive capability is not strong enough, otherwise it would be hard to predict what the outcome of the game would be.

Now Wang Lie calmly analyzes the national team's actions and has to admit that the national team did nothing wrong.

Chi Zhen is also the strongest player in the Chinese team besides himself. Even in the Korean and Japanese national teams, he is definitely worthy of being a main player.

Under the leadership of Chi Zhen, the Chinese team will have no problem qualifying for the World Cup in Asia - now that the top 12 matches are halfway through, the Chinese team ranks first.

But... in Wang Lie's own mind, the goal is not just to qualify for the World Cup.

But there is a greater ideal.

And to achieve that ideal... he said bluntly that it would be absolutely impossible to rely on Chi Zhen as the core.

He firmly believed that only he had such ability.

But not only myself, the entire national team needs to become stronger.

Fortunately, I have a cheat now, so it is not difficult to become stronger.

But to make the entire national team stronger... is not easy.

He stared at the court quietly, thinking in his mind what he should do if he were on the court to lead the team to play better than it was now.

※※※

Although Chi Zhen wanted to fulfill his "big talk", he was unable to help the Chinese team expand the score until the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.

Not satisfied with his performance, Chi Zhen lowered his head and walked quickly towards the player tunnel, shaking his head continuously.

He felt that his performance was obviously not convincing enough when facing Brother Wang...

"Ah Zhen, look!"

Su Ju caught up from behind, patted Chi Zhen on the shoulder, and guided him to look up at the player tunnel.

Then Wang Lie ran in before them!

"This..." Chi Zhen was stunned at first, and then realized what this scene meant.

"Coach He may replace Brother Wang during the halftime break..." Su Ju said in a low voice.

Chi Zhen clenched his fists.

※※※

"At the end of the first half, China temporarily leads Qatar 1:0 thanks to Chi Zhen's counterattack goal in the th minute..."

Luo Jin was speaking when he saw the TV broadcast suddenly cut from the shots of the players from both teams leaving the field to the sidelines.

Wang Lie, who had been warming up on the sidelines, left the warm-up area and ran towards the player tunnel.

The other substitute players who were warming up did not do so, but walked onto the court.

Any experienced fan who sees this scene knows what it means.

Not to mention being a professional football commentator.

So Luo Jin immediately shouted excitedly: "Wang Lie has returned to the locker room! Is he going to be substituted in during the halftime break?!"

Generally speaking, during the half-time break, the eleven players on the field go back to the locker room to rest.

The substitute players on the bench will go to the field to warm up under the guidance of the coaches. They will return to the locker room after warming up. If a substitute player does not warm up during the halftime break, but goes to the locker room with the starting players...it means that he will be replaced during the halftime break, and the head coach has tactical arrangements to tell him, so he will go back to the locker room with the starting players during the halftime break.

This is Wang Lie’s situation now.

So people who understand football can guess what He Zhenyong is going to do when they see this scene.

The director also knows football, and he cut to this shot immediately because he was afraid that the audience would miss this important information:
Wang Lie is about to appear!

※※※

Qatar national team head coach Jose Rezende had already walked into the player tunnel when he heard a series of intensive studs colliding sounds behind him.

He turned around and happened to see Wang Lie running in from outside and then running past him.

After the initial surprise, Rezende realized what was happening.

The king is about to appear!
The thing he had been waiting for was finally going to happen!

His tactical arrangements after conceding a goal in the first half paid off. Facing the Chinese team that was about to fall into internal strife, his team was only one goal behind... They could have easily caught up in the second half, or even reversed the situation!

Looking at Wang Lie's back as he hurriedly ran away, Leisende raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.

He knew what he should say to the players in the locker room at halftime.

※※※

“We played well in the first half!”

He Zhenyong praised the team's performance in the locker room.

Although they only scored one goal, they were the leading side after all, so they really deserve the evaluation of "very good performance".

"We suppressed Qatar on the field and created more scoring opportunities. However, in the second half we need to improve our ability to seize opportunities..."

He Zhenyong said this and turned his gaze to the starting center Tan Xingchang: "Tan Xingchang, come down and take a rest."

After hearing what Coach He said, the national team players in the locker room did not look at Tan Xingchang first, but looked at Wang Lie instead.

Because everyone knows why Coach He wanted to replace Tan Xingchang.

Should we give Wang Ge a place...

Su Ju neither looked at Brother Wang nor at Tan Xingchang, but turned to look for his good friend Chi Zhen.

The expression on Chi Zhen's face is much richer...

On the way back to the locker room, they were still guessing whether Brother Wang would replace them.

As a result, Coach He chose to replace Tan Xingchang. Does that mean that Brother Wang will help Chi Zhen?

Wang Lie's expression was calm, as if he knew he would be a substitute in this game.

Tan Xingchang was not actually tired, but he could only nod and accept the head coach's decision: "Okay."

His performance in the first half was just average. As a member of the team's offensive tactics, he participated in it. But because he is not good at scoring, he cannot share the scoring responsibility.

Coach He said that the national team failed to seize opportunities in the first half, so of course he had to be replaced.

He Zhenyong turned to Wang Lie and said, "In the second half, you will play in Tan Xingchang's position and try to score in front of the goal."

This means Chi Zhen will still be the core, and Wang Lie will only be responsible for being a scorer.

Wang Lie did not object, but nodded and agreed briefly: "Okay."

After making Chi Zhen the core of the national team, Wang Lie's position in the national team was basically like this, either passing the ball to Chi Zhen or being a scorer, and he basically had no ball rights.

Seeing Wang Lie accept this arrangement so calmly, most people in the locker room, including He Zhenyong, secretly breathed a sigh of relief...

※※※

"They will send Wang in the second half. This is our chance, boys! If they let Wang score in the penalty area, Chi will definitely pull out and pass the ball. In this way, we only need to surround Wang and trap him in our encirclement!"

Nasser Kassem was translating passionately what head coach Jose Rezende had just said.

"If Wang wants to get out of the penalty area to receive the ball, then we must keep our defensive formation intact. We can't give Chi and Wang a chance to cooperate and get inside, nor can we give Wang a chance to shoot... Sabah!"

Central defender Abdullah Sabah raised his head to show that he was listening.

"If Wang pulls out of the penalty area, you must stick to him and don't give him the chance to turn around. Wang's ability to back up is not that strong. As long as you can put enough pressure on him, you can limit him!"

Sabah nodded vigorously: "I understand, sir!"

Jose Rezende continued: "Wang has been in excellent form recently. We can't take it lightly, so don't give them the chance to shoot near the penalty area... As long as we can withstand their offensive in the first ten minutes of the game and make their offense run smoothly like it did in the second half of the first half, the Chinese team will definitely be in trouble! Chi still has the ball for the Chinese team, but how can Wang be willing to accept it? What if he also wants the ball? This is our chance. While they are in chaos, we can press them again! Then counterattack!"

Rezende punched the tactical board with a loud bang.

The Qatari players were excited by the coach's words. They were full of fighting spirit and couldn't wait to start the second half so that they could get all three points at home and keep the hope of competing for the third place in the group.

※※※

Wang Lie took out the custom-made shin guards with his number printed on them, bent down and stuffed them into his socks.

When he stood up, a red captain's armband with the word "China" printed in gold appeared in front of him.

Wang Lie looked up and saw Chu Yu, who started the game, holding the captain's armband in his hand.

"Return the item to its original owner." Chu Yu said to him.

Wang Lie did not take it directly, but said: "You are also its owner."

"But you are positive." Chu Yu handed the captain's armband forward again.

Wang Lie then took it and said, "Thank you."

Chu Yu glanced at him, then turned and left, returning to his seat.

Wang Lie stretched out the armband which was still slightly warm, put it on his hand, pulled it upwards, and finally put it on his left upper arm.

After putting it on, he adjusted it so that the word "China" was exposed on the front, so that he didn't have to lower his head deliberately and could just catch a glimpse of the two words with the corner of his eye.

Then he stood up from his seat and clapped his hands.

The applause attracted the attention of everyone in the locker room, and everyone looked at Wang Lie who was applauding.

They knew that Captain Wang was going to speak.

"Being ahead by one goal is not safe, brothers. This is Qatar's home court, so they will definitely find ways to deal with us in the second half. We should encounter a lot of troubles. For example, they will be more aggressive, their actions on the field will definitely be bigger, and the referee will definitely be more biased towards them... In this case, don't get entangled with them, let alone argue with the referee, control your mouth and hands. Then use your performance on the field to fight back against them! They are tough, we must be tougher than them! Let them know how serious the consequences of offending us are! Let's go and beat them!"

"Kill them!" Qin An echoed loudly.

The other Chinese players also shouted along, including Chi Zhen.

"Dry!!"

※※※

Because it was a half-time substitution, Wang Lie did not need to go through the handover ceremony on the sidelines. He could just follow his teammates onto the court.

When he and his teammates appeared in the tunnel, they immediately became the focus of the TV broadcast.

"Sure enough! Wang Lie is about to appear!"

Seeing Wang Lie appear in the camera wearing the No. 9 Chinese team away jersey and the captain's armband on his arm, Luo Jin shouted excitedly.

"This is the first time Wang Lie has returned to the Chinese team since the quarterfinals against Iran in October last year! But unlike last time, Wang Lie is in better shape this time. He has scored nine goals and made three assists in the last six games! Let's see what changes he can bring to the Chinese team as a substitute!"

Zhao Chuanfeng also said: "We expect Wang Lie's performance to be different from his last time. Although the position he plays in the national team is different from that in the club, we still hope that he can bring his good form in the club to the national team..."

In the camera, Wang Lie and his teammates walked out of the player tunnel.

The cameraman carried a camera and recorded Wang Lie's back as he walked towards the court.

The Chinese team's away jersey he was wearing was white on top and black on the bottom, with a very eye-catching touch of red on his left arm. As he swung his arm, it looked like a dancing flame.

That is the captain's armband of the Chinese national team.

The official broadcaster of the Asian Football Confederation pushed the camera up and gave a close-up shot of the captain's armband on Wang Lie's left arm.

Use this lens language to introduce it to TV viewers:
Chinese captain, Wang Lie!
When the Chinese fans at the scene saw Wang Lie coming out of the player tunnel, they shouted excitedly:

"Wang Lie! Wang Lie is finally going to play!"

"Wang Lie is here!"

"Come on, Wang Lie!"

"The King has returned! The King has returned!"

However, their cheers were quickly drowned out by the boos of more than 50,000 Qatari fans.

Of course, these boos were also directed at Wang Lie.

In Wang Lie's long career with national teams at all age levels, he scored a total of 19 goals against Qatar, giving Qatari fans many painful memories.

So when they saw Wang Lie coming on the field, Qatari fans of course "welcomed" the Chinese captain with warm boos.

Amidst the boos, Wang Lie walked onto the court.

(End of this chapter)