Chapter 5: Encountering a strong enemy, Five-star Brazil

When the match between the Chinese National Youth Team and the German team ended, the results of several other matches were also announced.

The Japanese team was defeated by Morocco in the 92nd minute, and Syria was defeated by the defending champion Brazil.

Traditional powerhouses such as Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands and Spain all advanced to the next round with ease.

Influenced by this, the Chinese national youth team, which unexpectedly defeated the German team, became the only Asian team.

This makes many domestic fans feel very proud. In the past, the Chinese national football team was eliminated early and could only watch other Asian teams dominate international competitions.

I never thought that one day I would be able to experience the feeling of being the hope of the whole village.

However, this joy did not last long. As the opponents in the quarter-finals were announced, the Chinese national team fans could no longer laugh.

Because the next opponent of the National Youth Team is the defending champion Brazil!

After witnessing the strength of the five-star Brazil team in the 2002 World Cup, the word “Brazil” has almost become synonymous with football.

As a football kingdom, Brazilian football is strong in all aspects.

Not only is the adult team strong, but the lower echelons are also incredibly strong.

The Brazilian youth team has won the FIFA World Youth Championship four times and is currently the team with the most titles in the history of the FIFA World Youth Championship.

The best result of the Chinese national youth team was the quarterfinals of the World Youth Championship. The historical backgrounds of the two teams are so different that there is no comparison at all.

In addition, in the 2002 World Cup, the Chinese national football team was defeated 4:0 by the Brazilian team, which left a deep impression on many people that Brazilian football is invincible.

Facing such a strong opponent, the national youth team’s hopes of advancing are indeed very slim.

So, before the game even started, many fans had already started sighing, as if the National Youth Team had already lost the game.

“Alas, the next game may be the last battle of the National Youth Team!”

“Brazil, why is it always you? You’re the one in the World Cup, and you’re the one in the World Youth Championship. You’re just trying to get the best out of a sheep, right?”

“It’s really outrageous. If this continues, the Brazilian team will become the victim of the Chinese team!”

“If I had known we would face Brazil, I shouldn’t have fought for first place in the group stage!”

“Indeed, if we don’t fight for first place, we might be able to avoid Brazil and other strong teams behind us like Argentina.”

“If we hadn’t met the Brazilian team, the Chinese national youth team would have had a chance to win a place in the semi-finals. What a pity for this Chinese national youth team!”

“It doesn’t matter, just treat it as training. I don’t expect the national youth team to win, but we must play in our own style and show our strength.”

“It would be even better if we could score a goal!”

“No more talking. I’m going to book a plane ticket right now. No matter whether the National Youth Team wins in the end, I will go to the scene to cheer for these young men!”

“Let’s go together!”

“+1 for going together!”

……

Why do we say that the fans of the Chinese national football team are so cute?
Because even though they curse harshly, they will really take action when something happens!

Based on the domestic income level in 2005, the round-trip airfare would probably be equivalent to half a year’s income for many people.

……

The coaching staff of the National Youth Team also seemed to know that the opponents in the next round were very strong and that they did not have much hope of winning.

So after the quarter-finals, Krauchen waved his hand and gave the players a day off to let them go out and relax.

The team has not relaxed for a long time since training in Germany in preparation for the World Youth Championship.

As the saying goes, there is a balance between relaxation and tension. Blindly exploiting players is not a good thing.

It is still necessary to relax appropriately.

But the Football Association seemed very dissatisfied with Krauchen’s decision.

“With a powerful enemy at hand, shouldn’t we seize every minute to intensify our training and strive for a good result?
If they want to rest, they will have plenty of time to rest after the World Youth Championship. There is no need to take a holiday now.”

The team leader thought that old man Ke was old and his mind was muddled.

Just like candidates facing the college entrance examination, they must review and practice questions intensively before the exam. How can there be any reason to go out and have fun?

Krauchen glanced at him and said disdainfully:
“Mr. Li, have you ever played football?”

Team leader Li was stunned when he heard this. He was a technical official and had no experience as a professional player, but he immediately retorted:

“We in Chinese football do not have a one-man show. We value democracy within the team. Everyone has the right to express their opinions and suggestions!”

Krauchen nodded: “Okay, I have heard your opinions and suggestions, you can leave now!”

It’s clear that you can say whatever you want, but I won’t listen or accept your advice.

This made Team Leader Li very angry, and he threatened on the spot:

“I will report today’s events to the Football Association. I want to see how long you can stay as the head coach!”

After saying that, he slammed the door and left.

The Chinese coaching staff looked at each other in bewilderment. Krauchen had never been happy with the Football Association, and today he parted ways with team leader Li on bad terms.

This will only further deepen the rift between the two sides and make them both start to worry about Krauchen’s position as coach.

“Mr. Ke, although you were recommended to the Football Association by the Bad Singer Base, the Football Association’s three-year contract was signed with the Bad Singer Base. Your contract renewal can only be confirmed after the German sponsor implements the second phase of sponsorship. If Germany does not provide sponsorship, you may…”

Coach Zhang Haitao, one of the members of the Chinese coaching team, said worriedly.

Although the German old man has a stubborn temper, is a bit obstinate, and a bit opinionated, he doesn’t like to listen to other people’s advice.

But this old man really has something!
Following the old man along the way, the Chinese coaches all felt they had benefited a lot and learned a lot.

Moreover, under the coaching of Krauchen, this national youth team has basically taken shape, has its own distinctive characteristics, and its performance on the field is also remarkable.

In the future, there will be no problem in creating the 08 Olympic stars by using them as the base.

Especially after the old man Krauchen found Lin Feng, a good talent, from somewhere just before the start of the World Youth Championship, everyone became more optimistic about the future of this national youth team.

Once this team succeeds in the 08 Olympics, all of them will benefit from it and their future will become bright.

So no one wants to quit at this time.

If Krauchen is really fired by the Football Association and replaced by another coach, it would be hard to say whether the national youth team can still reach such a height.

If they really mess up, wouldn’t their beautiful wish of gilding their resumes by following the national youth team be ruined?
From this perspective, the people on the Chinese coaching team are in the same trench as Krauchen.

Krauchen didn’t care:
“I’m already this old, I should have retired long ago.”

“Besides, your Football Association is so stingy that they only offer such a low salary. If it weren’t for these kids, I would have quit long ago. If they want to fire me, just let them fire me. I can go back home and enjoy my old age with my grandchildren.”

After saying this, he looked completely nonchalant, closed his eyes and lay down on the recliner, preparing for a nap.

Seeing this, several Chinese coaches looked at each other, and finally could only sigh, shake their heads and leave.

As soon as the few people left, Krauchen immediately jumped up from the recliner.

He glanced around sharply, and after confirming that the few people had left, he quickly walked to the door, closed it, and drew the curtains.

His movements are so agile that he doesn’t look like a 65-year-old man at all!

After preparing everything, Krauchen turned on the projector, played the Brazilian team’s game videos he had collected, and studied them carefully.

rest?

Give it a rest!
How could he sleep when facing a powerful enemy?

“That guy surnamed Li is right. It’s better to sharpen your spear before the battle. Even if it’s not fast, it will shine!”

It’s always a good idea to be more prepared!

While others train their players hard, Krauchen chooses to train himself hard.

What a strange old man!

(End of this chapter)