Chapter 480: Top 8 !
The aggressive strategy brought unprecedented success, and the sidelines presented completely different states for both coaches.
Ar?kan, with a smile on his face, directed the players to defend. Since they had already achieved results, the next step was to consolidate the process. The Chinese team didn't have the physical or technical ability to maintain high-pressure attacks continuously, so switching to a defensive stance was the correct move.
He didn't actually agree with weak teams showing a strong attacking posture from the beginning of the match. While it could create many opportunities, whether they could capitalize on them was a question, and it also created another problem of leaving the defense vulnerable.
Compared to England, China was undoubtedly the weaker team, but Wang Feng's presence erased the two fatal flaws mentioned above. As for seizing opportunities? As long as he found space within thirty meters of the goal, he dared to score!
At the same time, with the presence of the Chinese superstar creating intimidation, the number of troops committed to attack could be appropriately reduced, significantly reducing the threat of counterattacks from the opponent.
England's head coach Capello looked blankly at the field. This coach, renowned for his defensive coaching, never imagined that the team's defense would be so poor. It shouldn't be like this at all. They only conceded one goal in the three group stage matches!
No, it's not that the team's defense is poor, but rather they have all fallen into the rhythm set by the Chinese team. Conceding a goal so early is extremely fatal, especially in a single-elimination match like this. The players are bound to experience intense psychological fluctuations.
"Wang Feng!" The Italian clenched his fists in silence, but then released them helplessly. He admitted that he had no solution to the Chinese superstar. It had been the same since his time at Juventus in Serie A. After being repeatedly defeated by Wang Feng, he could only choose to leave the Old Lady in embarrassment.
Afterward, Capello rested for more than a year, during which there were rumors of Real Madrid's interest in him. Having the opportunity to personally coach this legendary superstar, the Italian was still quite looking forward to it.
Unfortunately, in the end, Florentino chose Schuster, which led to the legendary three consecutive championships for the Germans. Capello accepted the invitation from the England national team.
If possible, the Italian never wanted to be enemies with Wang Feng again!
The match gradually entered a tense state, with England pressing forward aggressively. In the 36th minute, Rooney received the ball outside the penalty area, moved laterally, and suddenly unleashed a high-quality long-range shot, only to be vigorously palmed away by goalkeeper Qiu Shengjiong.
In the 41st minute, Lampard sent a straight pass from midfield, and Defoe, at the back post of the penalty area, pushed aside the defending player and lifted the ball with his leg. Seeing that the goalkeeper in front of the near post was helpless, Li Weifeng stepped forward at the critical moment and blocked the ball in front of the goal line.
The efforts of the Three Lions finally paid off under the bombardment. Just as the first half entered injury time, Gerrard, outside the penalty area, suddenly fired a long-range shot, a powerful shot hitting the inside of the crossbar and rebounding into the net, 2-1, England pulled one back.
This is the power of superstars! The Chinese team's defense had been good enough, but sometimes a flash of brilliance from a superstar could indeed change the course of the game.
At halftime, the players looked somewhat frustrated. Wang Feng clapped his hands and said, "Hey, why are you all looking so glum? We're the ones leading now!"
Feng Xiaoting smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Wang, England's attack is too fierce after they've settled down. I'm worried we won't be able to hold them off." Wang Feng patted his shoulder and said, "We defended well in the first half. They can't keep pulling off those miraculous shots all the time."
"Besides, after halftime, England will probably be disheartened again. This is our chance. Let's rally ourselves. We have no psychological burden of being behind. Let's keep pushing forward in the second half!"
"Okay!" Everyone shouted in unison.
In the second half, both sides returned to the field. The Chinese team launched their first attack, with Wang Feng breaking through on the flank and passing back to Dongfang Zhuo with a backheel, but Dongfang Zhuo's shot from near the penalty spot went over the crossbar.
This attack served as a wake-up call for the Three Lions. Capello kept shouting on the sidelines, asking everyone to tighten up and remain vigilant, pressing the opponent with all their might.
However, they always seemed to be a step behind, like an old car that needed some time to reach its top speed. The coordination between various components needed time to reach its peak.
In the 54th minute, Barry lofted the ball into the penalty area, and Sun Jihai won the first header to clear the danger. In a duel outside the penalty area, Hao Junzhe lost his balance after being bumped by Milner.
But before falling, he managed to kick the ball with his leg, sending it to Dongfang Zhuo near the center line. The latter then turned and advanced into the opponent's half along the sideline.
A quick counterattack by the Chinese team! Wang Feng raced alongside Dongfang Zhuo, forming a two-on-three situation in the opponent's half, with one defender marking Dongfang Zhuo and two players closing in on the Chinese superstar.
As the penalty area drew closer, Dongfang Zhuo suddenly pretended to cut inside horizontally. The English defenders had no choice but to converge on him, as his threat was significant.
After diverting the defensive attention, Dongfang Zhuo suddenly stopped and dribbled the ball, exploiting a momentary gap in the defense to send a diagonal pass behind him. Wang Feng accelerated to receive the ball and charged into the penalty area.
At this moment, Terry chased closely behind him. The Chelsea defender was very experienced and tried to block the passing lane to force Wang Feng towards the goal line, even if it meant conceding a corner kick to stop the counterattack.
Wang Feng couldn't help but admire Terry as a formidable defender in his heart, but he wasn't the kind of forward who would back down in a one-on-one situation.
Seeing Terry stumbling under his pressure, Wang Feng forcefully pushed to the left with his right shoulder. At the same time, he raised his left foot and immediately took a shot towards the far corner of the goal, exerting force both in his upper and lower body. Wang Feng believed that very few attacking players in the world could do this.
Under Terry's pressure, Wang Feng's shot slipped between his legs. England goalkeeper James, caught off guard, dived but was a half-beat slow, and the ball slipped into the net inside the right goal post.
"It's in!! The Chinese team's counterattack succeeded!! We've expanded our lead again!"
"Wang Feng has scored a second goal with a high-quality shot from a tight angle. The ball almost went into the corner of the goal! He's got a brace!"
"So thrilling! Just now, Zhang and I were discussing that we didn't have anyone in the middle to support, but unexpectedly, Wang Feng didn't choose to cross but directly took a shot!"
"Yes, we can see that England has already retreated to defend in the middle. At this point, there aren't many options. Either dribble to the goal line and cut back to organize the attack again, or forcefully pass to the back post and see if anyone follows up."
"But Wang Feng dared to take the shot, resisting Terry's pressure to score. We have to admit that his physical fitness and lower body strength surpass most players in the world. I really don't know how he trains in normal times."
Defeated as if a mountain collapsed! This ancient saying is particularly appropriate for England at this moment. Impatient and reckless, each fighting for themselves, being two goals behind in the second half has thrown their morale into chaos. Capello's consecutive personnel adjustments had no effect. Rooney even had a quarrel with Defoe during one attack.
In the final moments, while England launched a full-scale attack, the Chinese team seized another counterattack opportunity, with Wang Feng assisting Shao Jia to score the fourth goal, securing the victory decisively.
When Argentine referee Baldas blew the final whistle, the score stood at 4-1, and the Chinese team advanced to the quarterfinals with a resounding victory!
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