Chapter 9: Face has been given

The players were exhausted by several consecutive days of business activities, but they were about to be relieved soon - playing today's game.

The Chinese National Olympic Team's face against Nottingham Forest has long been promoted to a point that is well-known. Although Chinese football continues to be at a low point, Chinese fans still have great expectations for this game.

Some people may just watch the performances of Nottingham Forest stars, while others do watch the national Olympic team. China will never lack these people. No matter how many people scold Chinese football, how many people sneer at Chinese football, and how many people sneer at Chinese football, but there will be such a group of people who will always pay attention to Chinese football. Don’t think of the low level of the Chinese Super League and the low attendance rate, there is always an attendance rate, right? That means that there is indeed someone watching. I won’t talk about the competitions of national teams, and almost every game is full - of course, there is a factor of patriotism here, not entirely because of football.

Football, the world's number one sport, has a broad mass base in China, but no organization can integrate these mass bases and effectively manage them. Then the foundation will always be just the foundation, and superstructures will never appear on this basis.

The Chinese Football Association hopes to use this game to reawaken people's enthusiasm for football, and then take advantage of the Olympic wind to make the level of Chinese football a step up. Tang En understood their idea of ​​secret operations, because the leaders of the Football Association are such single-cell organisms that are willing. But he himself is very disdainful of this approach.

This is completely putting the cart before the horse. The fans' enthusiasm for football will never be ignited because of a commercial game, and the level of Chinese football will never be changed in the slightest because of the results the National Olympic Team has achieved in the Olympic Games. These should have been natural and natural products after the continuous development of football, but the leaders of the Football Association took it as a process.

When Tang En was still young, he had dreams that many fans would have - a group of talented players emerged and a genius coach led them to the World Cup. Later, as he grew older and gained experience, he believed that it would always be a dream. If the system was not reformed, Chinese football would never have a chance to make a comeback.

The FIFA constitution clearly stipulates that the Football Associations of all countries cannot be official institutions. They must be private institutions, and governments of all countries cannot interfere in the affairs of the Football Association, otherwise they will be severely punished. But look at China, the Football Association jumped out and said: "We are private institutions." Does anyone believe it? The General Administration of Sports above them will not agree. The General Administration of Sports is the general agency, and all Chinese people know what kind of organization is. Does FIFA not know? But they have no choice.

So, Tang En no longer expects Chinese football to become better now. He feels that the only comfort for these Chinese fans is to occasionally produce one or two pretty good players who can play abroad. He represents China on another court. If he performs well in the club, it can also make Chinese fans excited.

Look, the requirements for Chinese fans nowadays are that simple.

But even such a simple requirement is difficult to achieve.

Therefore, most Chinese fans now can only vent their depression through sarcasm and scolding. Now Tang En is lucky than them because he has the opportunity to express his emotions in person and give those Football Association leaders who are specially coming to see the "supervising the battle" to a great face...

I came to Ningbo for four days and it rained every day. Yesterday’s weather forecast said there was light rain today, and it turned out that the rain continued from last night to this afternoon.

"Fortunately we are the England team." Tang En looked at the wet world outside the window and said to the coaches next to him. "This kind of weather is too normal. How is the turf?"

"Slightly slippery." Tang replied.

Tang En frowned slightly. The venue was slippery. The technical movements were difficult to control. Some unexpected situations may occur when the body collided, which would greatly increase the possibility of injury.

Although when he was a fan, Tang En was unhappy with those European giants coming to China for work but not working hard, the players were afraid of being injured. But this time he would make such arrangements. Even if Allen didn't look for him, he would still preserve his strength. If his main player was injured in a commercial game in distant China, he would be the biggest idiot in the world.

The Forest Team took the ground bus and drove slowly on the road. Due to the competition, the section near the stadium was a little blocked. Ningbo mobilized a large number of traffic police to maintain order, and the speed of the vehicles was limited.

Fortunately, the CITIC Ningbo International Hotel they stayed is very close to the Fubang Stadium. No matter how slow the driving is, as long as there is no traffic jam, you don’t have to worry about being late.

The experience of personally leading the players to the subway in the League One is rare for Don En.

Along the way, you can see fans taking a car, driving, or walking to the stadium. When you see the bus in Nottingham Forest, the fans in the car will be excited to poke out and wave and shout. The five-star red flag of China and the posters and portraits of Nottingham Forest stars are intertwined. It is also very harmonious - everyone is in red.

"If I hadn't... I'm one of them now." Tang En said to Tang in Chinese.

"Did you go from Sichuan to Ningbo?"

"That's not impossible... I once resigned from the company just to stay up late to watch the European Cup. "Tang En looked very proud when he said this. He was not afraid that Tang would discover his identity through time. Anyway, he just said "European Cup" and there would be European Cup in 2000. As for his real age, he was still in school in 2002, but he never told Tang, and Tang had never inquired about these very personal things. "Don't underestimate the enthusiasm of fans... Of course, don't underestimate their anger."

When the game was about to be played, the players of the Forest team have regained their professional players. They performed in the car as if they were playing away games. Only a few children transferred from the youth team were curiously taking the DVD to shoot the spectacular "yellow tide" outside the window.

In fact, the team coaching staff did not make any arrangements for this game. These days the training is mainly about physical recovery and simple tactical exercises. There is no special training for the national Olympic team, and the team's overall training plan is prepared for the new season of the league and European arena. Before the game, Don't even called the players to hold a tactical meeting. If you have anything to say, there will be enough in the locker room to say later.

Due to the close distance, Nottingham Forest set off with a watch. When they arrived at Fubon Stadium, the Chinese National Olympic Team players had already run from the locker room to warm up one after another.

"They are very motivated." Tang En looked at the people and whistled.

"Because we are the strongest of all their warm-up opponents." Tang said. "For them, this game is more valuable than previous warm-up matches."

"If we accidentally win, we will be even more valuable." Tang En blinked at Tang.

"It's absolutely impossible." Tang, a Chinese man, poured cold water on Tang En seriously.

"Allen will be very angry when he heard you say this... Haha!" Tang En laughed, and could tell that he was in a good mood. "But you are right. Even if we don't have to do all our efforts, it's not difficult to win them. Chinese football fourteen years ago might have defeated those underestimated opponents, but this team will definitely not. Everything is developing, but it's really strange that in Chinese football, this rule does not apply at all. " He shook his head.

"Let them not be too slow. Go out and warm up quickly." He turned his head to Chris Lack, and the assistant coach's loud voice rang in the locker room.

"Don't relax just because this is a warm-up match! You will be injured if you don't have enough warm-up! Does anyone hope the new season will end before it starts?"

He was really effective in calling this. The players who were slow just now planned to take more time ran out immediately.

Tang En didn't stay in the locker room to prepare, and he really didn't have much preparation. He didn't have to study how his opponents were. As long as he played according to his own kidnapping and habits, the game was always in his own hands.

He actually feels like "returning home in glory" and wants to go out and show off in his heart. Although no one admits that he is a Chinese now, the Chinese will not envy his achievements, but this does not prevent him from having fun in his heart and entertaining himself. I thought I was just an ordinary little fan at the time, but now I have returned to China with the team that won the Champions League twice!

Due to the rain for several consecutive days, the organizer once worried that the fans who bought tickets would not come to watch the game on site. But what Tang En saw should be a relief to the organizer. The 40,000 agents have been more than halfway through. And there are still 40 minutes left before the start of the game.

The drizzle did not extinguish the enthusiasm of the fans at all. Even if the players from both sides came out to warm up, they were all very happy to shout in the stands.

Look at them and think about the various fans he met in the UK. Don Eun suddenly lost his interest in "showing off" outside. He turned around and walked back to the locker room.

As soon as he reached the entrance of the corridor, he was stopped by a group of Chinese reporters. They hoped to interview this legendary coach full of personality. The person who came forward to ask the question was Tang En's old acquaintance - Tang Jing.

"You can meet you anywhere, Miss Tang." Tang En greeted in Chinese.

"I am a reporter who specializes in reporting on you. It would be strange if you can't see me." Tang Jing shook her head and then raised her own question. "Before the game, fans were worried that such a commercial game would greatly reduce the value of the game. Whether it is viewing or competitive, what do you think?"

"This game must be different from the League Cup. But I don't agree with the unexciting remarks. Because there are several types of excitement.   The 7:0 victory over the opponent is also very exciting." Tang En blinked at Tang Jing.

"Oh? Are you saying your team will score a lot of goals in the game?"

"I didn't say it. This is just an example. Don't try to lead my meaning to that place." Tang En knew very well about the reporter's trick. "I don't know what the game will be like now. I can only promise that we will try our best to let Chinese fans enjoy a wonderful game. We are different from those European teams that just want to make money. Don't forget that we are also cultural ambassadors in Nottingham. This game is a good opportunity to showcase British football culture. And, you know, Miss Tang. I never surrender before the game."

When Tang Jing heard Tang En say this, he smiled.   I said so much useless and nonsense, and this last sentence is the real truth.  I want Tang En to give up before the game begins.   It is indeed difficult.

"So Chinese fans and TV viewers can enjoy a wonderful game with confidence?"

"It should be like this."

Tang En and Tang Jing were very happy. Other Chinese journalists were not willing to be lonely and came up to ask their own questions. The biggest advantage of interviewing Tang En is that both parties can communicate directly in Chinese. Without translation, there is less trouble.

"What do you think about the strength of the Chinese National Olympic Team, Mr. Tang En?"

"I don't know much about this team..." Actually, I know very well, but I won't tell you!

"There are rumors that you have fallen in love with Zheng Zhi. Is it true?"

"If Zheng Zhi can accept being George Wood's substitute, I don't mind." Tang En grinned. As long as he knows George Wood, he will know that this is equivalent to denying this rumor.

"Do you have any expectations for the Beijing Olympics?"

"I'm sorry I can't come to Beijing to watch the Olympics in person, because the Premier League had already begun at that time. But I believe that the Beijing Olympics will definitely be an unforgettable Olympics." Tang En answered this question with a smile. He is polite, gentle, humorous, and has a very good impression. It's hard for the Chinese journalists who have come into contact with him for the first time to believe that this person in Europe will be infamous.

Only Tang Jing knew that this person's surface was completely unreliable.

This group of Chinese journalists soon saw the other side of Tony Tangen.

A very distinctive female reporter from the TV station squeezed in. “Beckham started. Could he play the whole game?”

"It depends on the situation. Generally speaking, we will make a large adjustment." This is not a regular competition, and the two sides discussed the number of substitutions. Since the National Olympic Team wanted to train, everyone decided to replace eleven people.

"In other words, will Beckham be replaced halfway?"

Tang En began to feel that this female reporter was very annoying. The questions he asked were very low-level and had no level. His tone of enthusiasm just now quickly became cold. "I can't answer you now."

The female reporter did not feel the dissatisfaction in Tang En's tone at all, and continued to raise the question she prepared: "Do you think David Beckham's role in the team is very important?"

Tang En finally couldn't help it. He asked the female reporter in a stern tone: "This lady. I am very dissatisfied with your way of asking questions like you who preset the position and answers for the interviewees. I can only answer 'yes' or 'no' in this way. Or do you want me to answer what you want to hear? I'm so sorry, I refuse to answer this question. Also, are you an entertainment reporter?"

Tang En's sudden anger made the reporters present stunned, including the female reporter. She has interviewed many events in China and has always asked questions like this. No one has ever said that she asked wrong or badly.

For example: "Do you feel honored to win the gold medal? Very proud? Is the coach and the team very helpful to you? Are you very excited and want to cry?"

"Do you feel sorry for only winning the silver medal? Do you feel sorry for the country's cultivation over the years?"

"Congratulations on your personal best results this year. Liu Xiang won the championship. Do you feel very happy? How do you think Liu Xiang's performance today?"

...

But today, this person refuted her mercilessly, and her brain was a little overwhelmed for a moment.

"I...I'm not an entertainment reporter." She answered this inexplicable question after a long time.

"Go to be an entertainment journalist, you have a talent in that aspect." After saying that, Tang En left. He left a back for all the Chinese journalists present, which made them feel embarrassed.

When Tang Jing saw this scene shrugging behind the crowd, she knew that things would develop like this...

Tang En, who was very upset, quickly walked through the corridor. When passing by the door of the locker room of the home team's National Olympic Team, the door just closed, and this action attracted his attention. He turned his head and caught a familiar figure through the crack of the door in an instant - Xie Guanlong, chairman of the Chinese Football Association.

I heard that Dujkovic has long been a nominal head coach, and the Chinese coaching staff is just a puppet, only responsible for conveying the instructions and spirit above. Now it seems that this rumor is true.

A glimpse of this scene made Tang En laugh. Chinese football is full of jokes. Xie Guanlong, a person from the track and field background, pretended to arrange tactics in the locker room and directed the team to play? Then a group of professional coaches bowed their heads, kept nodding and flattering, and then flattering and praising them. "Chairman Xie is really an expert", "Chairman Xie said very well"... Just think about it and feel very funny.

Fortunately, I don’t have to suffer in this environment.

This little episode made his mood improve again.

After the players warmed up, they returned to the locker room, wiped the water from their bodies, and changed into clean clothes.

After seeing that they had done all this, Tang En spoke: "This game... has nothing to say. What we usually play? How do we play this game?"

Eastwood stood up: "Boss, or a defensive counterattack?"

"We are not only good at defending and counterattacking!" Tang En glared at him, "We practice the middle-lane attack routine today, not the side, but only the middle. If the Chinese team is very morale, they will definitely save fiercely. Take this opportunity to score a goal and then start practicing the attack."

The players nodded. The middle lane is a place that all teams pay more attention to, whether it is offense or defense. There must be heavy troops here. The Forest team has no chance to practice specifically for tie-up games, because they want to pursue victory, and the style of playing on the wing is obviously more practical. Now, facing opponents like the Chinese National Olympic Team, it is a waste not to practice tactics and play the best at the wing offense.

"But I want to remind you." Tang En stretched out his index finger with his left hand. "Everyone must be familiar with the weather and venue conditions when they warmed up just now. The Chinese team will fight fiercely. You must be careful not to hurt yourself. Don't compete with the opponent for those difficult balls. They move hard, avoid it. Protect yourself."

Everyone in the starting lineup nodded.  Dang En gave everyone a lot of face to the starting lineup in this game - almost all the main lineups played.

Goalkeeper Van der Sar. The central defender is the partner of Pique and Ayala, left back Gareth Bale. Right back Rafinia. Midfielder Sun Jihai, front midfielder Van der Fate, left forward Ribery, right forward Beckham. The forwards are Van Nystruei and Eastwood.

Because of some minor injuries, central defender Pepe did not put him on the starting lineup out of caution. George Wood did not have any injuries, and it was hard to figure out that Tang En put him on the bench. In fact, Tang En had his own plans to arrange this...
To be continued...