Chapter 27: Costa Rica, Opponent in the 1st/8th Finals
The Chinese team's equalizer was a result that many on-site commentators could not believe, including the central 5 commentator He Wei. After all, Colombia's overall strength is very strong, and it is incredible for the Chinese team to score, let alone in two games. Pulling back two goals in a row when the ball is behind?
After the excitement, Central 5 commentator He Wei inevitably felt a little worried. He said: "With less than ten minutes left in the game, plus injury time, Colombia, which was strong enough during this period, overtook the score again. However, I believe our international players can withstand the pressure and hold on to the score until the end!”
Commentator Xu Yang immediately said: "Colombia has already qualified ahead of schedule. If nothing goes wrong, the opponent they will face in the 1/8 finals will be Uruguay, which has won the World Cup twice. The quadrennial World Cup is a typical tournament system. The schedule is intensive. I think it is impossible for the experienced coach Pekerman to ignore this. Therefore, the next games will not continue to strengthen the offense. Instead, it is very likely to replace the main players and allow those shortlisted players who have not played in the game to experience A World Cup atmosphere.”
I don’t know if it was a coincidence, but the on-site director gave a close-up shot of the warm-up area after the game started.
Goalkeeper No. 22 Farid Mondragon seemed to be reminded by the coaching staff in the warm-up area. He stopped warming up and jogged to the coach's bench.
Seeing this, He Wei subconsciously said: "Is Ospina injured?"
The broadcast screen again showed Ospina in front of the goal. Judging from the screen, Ospina had no problem.
So, He Wei changed his voice and his voice was full of joy: "I think Pekerman wants to give this veteran goalkeeper who is over 43 years old a chance to play. If the substitution adjustment becomes a reality, he will be 43 and 3 years old this year." Days later, Farid Mondragon will surpass Cameroon’s Mila to become the oldest player to appear in the World Cup!”
More than 80 minutes into the game, Colombia replaced the main goalkeeper with a substitute goalkeeper, and the intention was obvious.
The simplest meaning is...the result of the game is no longer important.
A minute later, No. 22 veteran goalkeeper Farid Mondragon stood on the sidelines. He replaced Ospina, who did not perform well in this game.
Of course, it's not good to put double quotes in it.
The two goals Tang Zheng scored have no direct relationship with him. It can only be said that Tang Zheng is too capable. Even the top three goalkeepers in the world may not be able to save Tang Zheng's two must-goals.
But then again, Ospina is also to blame for the two goals he conceded.
As a goalkeeper, he has the responsibility to save the goal.
However, Pekerman's substitution was not aimed at Ospina's performance, but in the hope that veteran Farid Mondragon, who announced his retirement after the World Cup, would participate in the World Cup again.
In the 1994 World Cup in the United States, Faride Mondragon was shortlisted for Colombia's 23-man squad, but he did not get a chance to play. Therefore, the last time he represented Colombia in the World Cup dates back to the World Cup in France 16 years ago.
Sixteen years later, an even stronger Colombia is competing in the World Cup. As a former Colombian goalkeeper, he deserves the opportunity to represent Colombia in the World Cup at the end of his career.
Farid Mondragon stood on the sidelines to complete the exchange ceremony with Ospina. The commentators in the commentary box praised Pekerman's substitution, including the commentator of the Greek National Television who was following the game. .
There are many things in this world that are more important than winning.
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Due to the particularity of the goalkeeper position, according to the rules, the Chinese team needs to wait until substitute goalkeeper Farid Mondragon returns to the goal before throwing a side kick.
Tang Zheng had gotten to know the Colombian players before the game, including the 43-year-old goalkeeper.
It is not easy for a professional player to persist until the age of forty, but Farid Mondragon insisted on persisting until the World Cup to realize his dream, so Tang Zheng will inevitably wonder whether he will still be a professional player when he is forty-three years old. Racing on the court,
Can he still play for the national team?
Farid Mondragon used Colombia's second substitution adjustment, and there was about ten minutes left in injury time. The on-site director suddenly gave a close-up shot of the Colombian coach's bench.
No. 6 Sanchez stood next to head coach Pekerman. It is not difficult to see that Colombia is preparing to make the third substitution adjustment.
The adjusted player is likely to be No. 10 James Rodriguez.
Colombia advanced to the top 16 in advance. If James Rodriguez hadn't asked to start before the game, Pekerman would not have been prepared to start James Rodriguez.
After Falcao missed the World Cup in Brazil due to injury, James Rodriguez's performance will determine how far Colombia can go.
After three games in the group, James Rodriguez has given a satisfactory answer, with four goals and two assists.
At the same time, James Rodriguez, who was jogging, saw Sanchez preparing to come on as a substitute, and he realized that there was not much time left for him.
If Colombia is now leading the Chinese team 2:0, James Rodriguez is in a happy mood when he is substituted, even if he leads 2:1.
But the problem is that the score is now 2:2, and both goals came from Tang Zheng.
James Rodriguez, who has always regarded Tang Zheng as the target of his pursuit, thought that with the overall strength of the national team, he could crush the Chinese team led by Tang Zheng. It was not until now that he realized that Tang Zheng was still the same Tang Zheng.
It seems difficult to surpass.
James Rodriguez, who has a tenacious fighting spirit, instantly put this negative thought behind him, because... he wanted a hat trick!
After listening to coach Pekerman's tactics, Gutierrez walked to the sidelines and stood next to the fourth official, waiting to come out.
James Rodriguez was very anxious. It happened that the Chinese team's attack failed. Lu Liang's cross was deflected by Valdes. Guarin cooperated with Cuadrado to grab the ball. James Rodriguez's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Hey~ give it to me!!"
James Rodriguez quickly ran forward and raised his right arm high, signaling Cuadrado to pass him over.
Cuadrado knew the characteristics of James Rodriguez very well and passed the football with the arch of his right foot at the first opportunity.
Double forwards Jackson Martinez and Adrian Ramos simultaneously ran according to the tactical positions assigned by head coach Pekerman before the game.
The broadcast screen provided by the on-site director was a long shot, so CCTV 5 commentator He Wei exclaimed: "It's going to be dangerous!"
However, as soon as he finished speaking, a Chinese player wearing a red jersey appeared in the lower left corner of the broadcast screen. He fell to the ground and shoveled while running, and kicked the football with his feet against the turf.
James Rodriguez, who let the ball go forward at full speed, was keenly aware that something was wrong and instinctively jumped to avoid it.
As he takes off, control of the football is lost.
"Nice interception!!"
Central 5 commentator He Wei said passionately.
James Rodriguez, who landed on the ground, immediately turned his head to look, and he happened to see that very familiar face with a playful smile on his lips.
Tang Zheng stood up with his hands on the turf, ready to launch a long pass, but Sun Jingbo's weak physical fitness was exposed at this time. His physical contact with Valdez was at a disadvantage, and the ball was blocked by goalkeeper Farid. Mondragon gets.
Farid Mondragon did not rush to take the goal kick, but settled the rhythm.
At this time, Tang Zheng turned around and stretched out his right hand.
James Rodriguez glanced at Tang Zheng, speechless.
Thinking that the contest between the two men in this game had come to an end, James Rodriguez was able to take it up and put it down. He followed Tang Zheng's right hand and stood up, but he did not admit defeat: "Humph~ Ours The battle is not over yet!”
Tang Zheng had a wide field of vision. He noticed that goalkeeper Farid Mondragon did not control the ball well and the ball flew out of the other sideline, so he patted James Rodriguez on the shoulder. , smiled and said: "I don't know if our contest is over, but I know you will be replaced soon."
After saying that, he pointed his right hand to the sidelines.
as expected!
The referee blew his whistle and pointed his finger to the sidelines to signal the playing side to request a substitution.
The red number on the electronic substitution board held up by the fourth official was clearly No. 10, which meant that Colombia's last adjustment was to remove the core offensive player James Rodriguez.
Even though James Rodriguez is somewhat reluctant, the head coach's authority cannot be violated, and the inconsequential group matches are not as important as the knockout rounds.
In order to prepare for the next 1/8 finals, we must also take a rest and recharge our batteries.
James Rodriguez in the broadcast screen seemed to suddenly remember something after taking two steps. He stopped, turned around, walked to Tang Zheng, and said seriously: "Our duel has not yet been decided. There is a chance. !I will definitely defeat you!”
"Okay!" Tang Zheng patted James Rodriguez on the shoulder like a big brother: "I'll wait for you."
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In the 85th minute of the game, Colombia made the last substitution adjustment of the game. Sanchez replaced James Rodriguez.
The intention of this substitution adjustment is very obvious. Pekerman hopes that the team can save some strength to prepare for the next knockout round.
As long as Colombia, which has superior overall strength, does not lose, media public opinion will not fluctuate much.
From the beginning of the game to the present, Colombia's offensive has not been fierce. The Chinese team's ability to equalize the score was not because Colombia deliberately let off steam, but because the star's flash affected the result of the game.
James Rodriguez, who returned to the bench, shook his head and smiled bitterly. He thought that his two goals could lead the national team to a victory over the Chinese team led by Tang Zheng.
But...the results are not satisfactory.
At the same time, Santos, the Greek head coach at Castelao Stadium, received a real-time report from another venue from his assistant.
Starting goalkeeper Ospina and midfielder James Rodriguez were substituted one after another. The meaning is obvious, indicating that Colombia is willing to this result.
If the game ends at 2:2, regardless of the result of this game, the other team in Group C that advances to the top 16 will be the Chinese team.
At the Pantanal Stadium, Gutierrez, who came on as a substitute, also brought the latest tactical thinking of coach Pekerman to the players on the field. He had to play more patiently than James Rodriguez when he was on the court.
To put it bluntly, a score of 2:2 is acceptable.
If possible, it would be better to win, but it cannot be forced now. The Chinese team must score at least one point to guarantee advancement to the top 16. Continuous attacks are likely to cause the over-stressed Chinese players to lose control of their emotions. The gain outweighs the loss.
For the health of all members participating in the top 16, it is a very correct choice to control the rhythm appropriately.
Colombia slowed down its offensive pace, and the Chinese team's defensive formation shrank appropriately, compressing the space needed for Colombia's offense.
Cuadrado is very capable, but he needs space and support from his teammates, and now he not only lacks sprint space, but also has no support from his teammates.
Sanchez's responsibility as a substitute is to defend, which can be regarded as liberating Guarin and allowing him to participate more in the offensive organization. However, the tactics Sanchez brought to the field are more defensive, which means that Guarin cannot press forward too much.
Obviously, Pekerman is more worried that Tang Zheng, who is in a positional position, will continue to show off his strength during the rest of the game.
Colombia's draw with the Chinese team is within an acceptable range. Of course, losing can bring convenience to Colombia in the knockout rounds, but in the long run it will affect the overall morale of the team, so Pekerman chose to control the pace of the game after considering many aspects. Use up the remaining game time.
He believes that Lippi, the head coach of the Chinese team, is also happy to see this.
If you can advance to the top 16 and meet Costa Rica who are better to deal with in the 1/8 finals, why not?
The positive effect brought by Tang Zheng's positioning conditions is obvious. Coupled with the smart movements of Lu Liang and Sun Jingbo, the midfield and frontcourt are much more aggressive, which brings many surprises to the Chinese fans in front of the TV.
Of course, Tang Zheng, who is in a good position, does not focus on offense. He pays more attention to defense.
Colombia's frontcourt offense was not running smoothly after missing James Rodriguez. In addition, the Chinese team's defense was solid and united. The score of 2:2 did not change until the end of the third minute of injury time. , each side gets one point.
With the referee on duty blowing two short and one long full-time whistles, the Chinese team finally drew with Colombia 2:2 and appeared in the top 16 with an unbeaten record of three games, one win, two draws and five points. .
Since the qualifying spots in Group D have been settled, according to the 1/8 finals rules of S-D1, the Chinese team that qualified second in Group C will face the not strong but unexpectedly emerged from the group of death in the 1/8 finals. costa rica.
The game ended at 6 a.m. Beijing time, but the Chinese fans at this time were not sleepy at all. They were extremely passionate and dancing, just like a child receiving a favorite gift.
Fans watching the CC5 live broadcast could clearly hear He Wei's uncontrollable catharsis: "This moment has finally arrived! Entering the World Cup for the second time! First World Cup goal! First World Cup three-pointer! First promotion. Top 16! Come on! My beloved Chinese team!! Breaking out of Asia and going to the world has never been a slogan!"
None of the Chinese players shown in the broadcast could remain calm, including Tang Zheng.