Chapter 24 Reduce the Score?

The Chinese team trailing Colombia 0:2 was actually an expected result before the game, and it will not affect the Chinese team's prospects of qualifying with four points and a goal difference, but the premise is that the rival Greek team draws or loses. Victory over Cote d'Ivoire.

However, in the 60 minutes of the game, the Chinese team trailed Colombia 0:2, while the Greek team led Côte d'Ivoire 4:0.

The on-site director's close-up shot immediately showed Lippi, the head coach of the Chinese team, and from the broadcast, it was not difficult to see that Lippi looked very embarrassed.

Because the game ends according to the current score, the teams that advance to the top 16 of this World Cup will be Colombia and Greece.

Many fans were filled with emotion when they saw Lippi and the score displayed on the broadcast screen. They couldn't help but think... is it really a gap that Chinese football can't cross if it's a tie to qualify?

Immediately, the broadcast screen showed the warm-up area. Cai Huikang, who was warming up, stopped stretching, naturally swung his arms and ran back to the coaching bench, and then put on the jersey prepared by the coaching staff in advance.

"This is……"

Central 5 commentator He Wei changed his tone and shouted: "Is it... to liberate Tang Zheng?"

Commentator Xu Yang's voice was obviously an octave higher: "That's right! Lippi freed Tang Zheng while ensuring the defense in the middle! This is a signal to strengthen the attack!"

At the same time, British Sky commentator Andy Gray laughed: "Marcelo Lippi's choice is still conservative, but considering that the Chinese team's frontcourt offensive players are too selective, defensive midfielder Cai can take over as Tang Of defensive duties, I think... it might be a better choice to unleash Don's ability on the offensive end, what do you think, old man?"

After saying that, he turned to look at the guest commentator Martin Taylor.

Substitution adjustments were in progress, and Martin Taylor nodded lightly: "Defensive midfielder is the starting point for Tang to adapt to professional football, but attacking midfielder is the foundation for him to become a world-class superstar! If nothing else, Tang is the starting point before returning. Waist, then? Who will be replaced?"

Half a minute later, there was a dead ball situation in the game, and the referee Kaushoy decisively blew his whistle to signal a substitution on the sidelines.

The red number displayed on the substitution electronic board held high by the fourth official is 'No. 8'.

Hao Junmin was substituted and Cai Huikang came on.

Cai Huikang, who came on the field, first pulled Tang Zheng and said a few words to captain Zheng Zhi, and then made a tactical gesture to Zhang Xizhe.

The Chinese team's formation has not changed, but the positions of the players have changed. Tang Zheng moved forward and played as an attacking midfielder. The remaining position was taken over by Cai Huikang, partnered by Zheng Zhi and Zhang Xizhe on the right.

Originally, Colombian head coach Pekerman was considering adjusting James Rodriguez because he had played the full game in the past two games and should be a rest player in this game, but he had no choice but to take the initiative.

The game has reached now, and the score is two goals ahead. It is also time to adjust the main player James Rodriguez, and at the same time appropriately shift the focus to start preparing for the next 1/8 finals opponent Uruguay.

However, with Tang Zheng's positioning improved, the Chinese team's frontcourt offense has undergone significant changes. His dribbling and passing of the ball can make complex situations simpler and clearer.

Therefore, the Chinese team's offensive has undergone a qualitative change. If Gao Lin was not still looking for a target, he could have tested Ospina's competitive status by receiving Tang Zheng's direct pass.

One minute later, the Chinese team's offense moved to the right through continuous transfers. Zhang Xizhe got the football on the right rib of the attack and did not pass the ball directly to Zhang Linpeng who was running high on the right. Instead, he waited until Zhang Linpeng's speed was fully up before passing the ball.

Arias hit Zhang Linpeng with his body while retreating, but Zhang Linpeng was strong. Arias not only did not knock down Zhang Linpeng, but was knocked to the ground by Zhang Linpeng's reaction force.

In the process of stumbling, Zhang Linpeng looked up at the direction of the penalty area while adjusting his center of gravity, then raised his right foot and unexpectedly passed an inverted triangle.

The football quickly rolled towards the top of the penalty area.

The broadcast screen quickly switched to catch up. Fans watching the live TV broadcast could clearly see that the rolling direction of the football was exactly the same as Tang Zheng's running plan.

Guarin had been paying attention to Tang Zheng's activities in his own defense, so he realized that when the football was passed to Tang Zheng, he made a tackle while running.

Tang Zheng, who was running forward, measured his steps, and it was definitely a long shot!

However...that's not the case!

Tang Zheng's exaggerated swing of his right foot did not kick the football. Instead, he quickly put it down and stepped on the ground. He then raised his left foot, stabilized the ball with the inside of his instep, and then pushed the football to the left with the outside of his instep. There was a wonderful pass by Gualin who was shoveling from the side.

Tang Zheng has a balanced left and right foot. Guarin knew this before the game, but he is powerless now and can only pin his hopes on goalkeeper Ospina.

When James Rodriguez watched Tang Zheng swing his left foot in his own 30-meter defensive zone, he had a bad feeling in his heart, until...

A "bang" sound resounded in the sky, followed by a huge exclamation over the Pantanal Stadium: "Oh oh oh -"

Central 5 commentator He Wei was disappointed: "Tang Zheng's luck is really bad! It's just a tiny bit worse again! The Chinese team missed the goal to reduce the score!"

Seeing the football cross the baseline, Tang Zheng put his head in his hands, looked up to the sky and sighed, and couldn't help but cursed: "MD, it's just a little bit closer!"

※※※

Before Ospina took the goal kick, the on-site director gave Lippi and Pekerman a close-up shot respectively.

Lippi punched the void with all his strength. It wasn't that he was dissatisfied with Tang Zheng's performance, but that Tang Zheng had terrible luck!

If Tang Zheng had better luck, let alone narrowing the score in this game, he had defeated Greece in the last round at Dune Stadium. Why would he need a draw in the last round to qualify?

Pekerman's overall mood didn't fluctuate much, but he was suddenly hit by Tang Zheng's long-range shot in front of the goal. His body had a conditioned reflex, and he covered his mouth with both hands, feeling lingering fear.

Immediately, Pekerman looked at Tang Zheng, who was in very good condition.

The team's defense is not impregnable to begin with. It is definitely not possible to rely on defense to solve the current predicament, so offense is the best solution.

Therefore, James Rodriguez, who is the core of the offense, still needs to stay on the court, unless the Chinese team's offense is completely unable to threaten Ospina's goalkeeping.

The game continued to start, Ospina directly took a goal kick, and the football was passed by Jackson Martinez to Adrian Ramos. After the latter got the ball, he got stuck in position, blocked Cai Huikang behind him, and then handed the ball over. To James Rodriguez.

Through early observation, James Rodriguez already knew how the next attack would develop. He chose not to stop the ball and directly passed the ball to Cuadrado on the right front with the outside instep of his right foot.

If it develops normally, football can reach Cuadrado's feet.

What I didn't expect was that a Chinese player wearing a red jersey appeared while the football was running against the turf. He stretched out his foot to stop the ball.

Central 5 commentator He Wei looked at the broadcast and shouted loudly: "Beautiful interception! Tang Zheng intercepted Ronaldo's pass to Cuadrado, and the Chinese team switched from defense to offense!"

James Rodriguez and Cuadrado are both moving forward, with their backs to their own goal.

Tang Zheng, on the other hand, had his back to the goal and was facing the Colombian goal.

Guarin has been hovering next to James Rodriguez. After Tang Zheng stole the ball, he pounced directly on it without any hesitation.

It is not difficult to see that Guarin is mentally prepared to commit a foul!

After Tang Zheng intercepted the ball, the connection was very smooth. He accelerated and dribbled the ball forward with long strides.

Guarin saw Tang Zheng's intention of hitting the ball during the move. In order to ensure that he was the same as the ball, he raised his feet a little high.

Guarin has a successful career and is very confident in himself. He has absolute confidence that he can stop Qiu Qiu or Tang Zheng.

But there are exceptions to everything. Tang Zheng exaggeratedly leaned forward with his upper body, and stepped forward with his right foot, as if he wanted to accelerate forward. His outstretched right foot did not move the ball forward, but used his right foot to move the ball forward. The outside instep of the foot suddenly stops the ball in place, the whole person brakes on the spot, and then the outside instep of the right foot moves the ball to the right.

Therefore, just like a minute ago, Guarin was allowed the ball to the left by Tang Zheng in front of the top of the penalty area and passed easily.

The only difference is that before it was to the left, this time it is to the right.

During the process of speeding up, Tang Zheng seemed not to be affected by the inertia at all. He moved laterally with the football to the right and passed by Gua Lin who carelessly released the tackle.

Colombia's formation before the game was 442. The first adjustment was also a substitution. The formation did not change. James Rodriguez's responsibility was to organize the offense and penetrate from the back. The defensive responsibility fell entirely on Guarin. body, which means that the central defender has lost a barrier in front of him.

"Oh oh oh——"

At the same time, the Colombian fans subconsciously blurted out exclamations in the sky above the Pantanal Stadium.

※※※

Right midfielder Cuadrado moved forward and was too far away from Tang Zheng. He did not quickly return to defense.

If there was a passing error in the past, James Rodriguez would not have cared about it, but this time it was different. The passing error was intercepted by Tang Zheng. Guarin tried to make up for himself, but was realistically blocked by Tang Zheng. After leading the action, he has the responsibility to make up for the mistakes he made!

"James Rodriguez!"

From the broadcast screen, James Rodriguez rushed towards Tang Zheng, and the Colombian national television commentator suddenly shouted.

Tang Zheng knew the characteristics of James Rodriguez very well, and Gao Lin moved very smartly, pressing the two central defenders and retreating. Therefore, there was a gap between James Rodriguez and the two central defenders. There was a huge vacuum area, so Tang Zheng did not slow down.

James Rodriguez was born as an offensive player, and his defensive awareness and ability are definitely not comparable to defensive players, and... explosive power and absolute speed are his few weaknesses.

Tang Zheng didn't slow down because of this!

"Ouch-ouch——"

When the Chinese fans in the stands saw that Tang Zheng did not slow down, they opened their throats and shouted loudly to cheer!

James Rodriguez also knows Tang Zheng's technical characteristics very well, but the two are getting closer and closer, and he has no choice!

foul!

An imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Tang Zheng's mouth while dribbling at high speed. He repeated his old trick. He stopped abruptly with both feet in the center circle of his own side, and slammed the ball to the right with the heel of his left foot.

James Rodriguez had to brake on the spot following Tang Zheng's rhythm, but in order to get in front of Tang Zheng, he ran at full speed. A passive emergency stop takes time, but Tang Zheng has outstanding explosive power and extremely fast connection movements. Move the ball forward and to the right again with the outside of the foot.

James Rodriguez had no choice but to extend his left foot during the emergency stop, trying to trip Tang Zheng.

But Tang Zheng had an early prediction. After landing with his right foot, he quickly took off, just in time to avoid James Rodriguez's raised left foot. Then he started chasing the football, crossed the center line, and rushed towards the Colombian defensive half.

Chinese head coach Lippi, who was standing in front of the home team's coaching bench, subconsciously took two steps forward. His wise eyes were fixed on Tang Zheng, full of expectation.

Colombian head coach Pekerman was not as worried as he thought. First of all, his team was leading by two goals, and with all four players on the back line, plus Gao Lin and Lu Liang running around, the Chinese team's quick counterattack was at best three-on-four.

Even if the Chinese team takes ten thousand steps back and scores a goal, it doesn't matter.

Central 5 commentator He Wei was ecstatic: "Tang Zheng passed Guarin and Ronaldo in succession, and now he is dribbling the ball to the 40-meter offensive area!"

At the same time, the two central defenders Valdez and Balanta realized that they could no longer give Tang Zheng the ball. They exchanged glances with each other. Then the left central defender Balanta suddenly pounced on Tang Zheng, and the left back Almerone Collect and help defend Gao Lin.

In order to prevent Tang Zheng from changing direction and breaking through, Balanta consciously kept a distance.

However, at the moment when another central defender leaned towards Gao Lin, Tang Zheng passed the ball behind him, and the ball fell over the heads of Valdes and Gao Lin from the center to the right rib of the Colombian defense, that is, the right back Arias and the right central defender Valde. The ribs between the two are empty.

Arias has plenty of physical strength, strong back-and-forth ability, and fast speed, but his height and weight are his few shortcomings.

But... Lu Liang, who appeared on the broadcast screen, seemed to be faster!

Lu Liang, wearing the No. 7 jersey, was like a red lightning, widening the distance from Arias and chasing the football at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Valdes was pulled by Gao Lin and ran towards the defensive left rib, unable to do anything. Left back Almelo was farther away, Arias was left behind again, and goalkeeper Ospina had to choose to abandon the goal.

Lu Liang, who was running at high speed, entered the penalty area and faced Ospina!

"Lu Liang!!"

He Wei couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

Everyone thought Lu Liang would stop the ball and hit the goal directly, and all attention was focused on Lu Liang.

However, what he never expected was that Lu Liang's swung left foot did not stop the ball or hit the goal directly. Instead, he used the instep of his left foot to move the ball to the right rear end. The football rolled towards Tang, who was running towards the left rib of the top of the arc in the penalty area. Zheng.

You must know that all the Colombian players' attention is on Lu Liang at this time, and Tang Zheng is completely unmarked at this time!

Ospina stopped mid-attack and retreated, but Tang Zheng didn't make the slightest adjustment and kicked the football with his left foot.

Because the distance was too close, even if Tang Zheng kicked the football with little force, it quickly flew towards the goal.

Ospina jumped hard while retreating. At the same time, he exerted force on his waist and abdomen and extended his right arm, trying to change the trajectory of the football.

However, his height is limited, which affects his wingspan. His long right arm does not touch the football.

The football took an obvious parabola and fell towards the unguarded goal behind it...