World First Church started from the 02 World Cup

Something's not right in Chapter 23

The day after the group stage ended, which was June 15th.

The round of 16 matches of this World Cup have begun!

The first match was between Germany and Paraguay.

This match wasn't as one-sided as everyone imagined.

The game remained deadlocked until the 88th minute when Schneider on the right wing of Germany crossed the ball from the byline, and Neuville tapped it in at the near post, making it 1-0.

With this decisive goal, Germany narrowly defeated their opponents 1-0, becoming the first country to advance to the quarterfinals.

This match also showed everyone that once you get to the knockout stage, there are really no easy matches!

England then defeated Denmark, and Senegal defeated Sweden, thus advancing to the next round.

The match between Spain and Ireland was also very intense, with the score remaining 1-1 after 120 minutes.

Spain ultimately defeated their opponents in a penalty shootout to advance to the next round.

The match on June 17th was relatively uneventful.

The United States defeated Mexico 2-0, and Brazil defeated Belgium 2-0, securing two tickets to the quarterfinals.

By this time, six of the eight quarterfinalists had been determined.

The final two will be decided in these two matches on June 18th.

These are also two matches with a very high "Asian content".

Japan vs. China, South Korea vs. Italy!

……

During this period, in addition to focusing on the progress of the round of 16, Chinese media still devoted a lot of space to the China-Japan match, which was of most concern to everyone.

And it's quite obvious that the feeling is different from when facing Brazil or Türkiye.

The China Youth Daily commented: "The match between China and Japan is never just a football game, but also a contest of beliefs. May the young men set aside their burdens, strive bravely, and use their all to write a glorious chapter for Chinese football!"

Sports Weekly first analyzed the tactics of both sides, then stated bluntly: "Japan has a strong advantage in possession-based attack, but Ye Xian's style of play is versatile, and he may have already found a way to counter it. However, this match is not only about tactics and skills, but also about fighting spirit and resilience. The fighting spirit of the Chinese national team players is their most powerful weapon!"

CCTV's sports channel even conducted a small-scale visit to the national team's training base. During a live broadcast, a reporter said, "We can see the unwavering determination in the players' eyes. This match needs no motivation; every single one of them is fighting for victory!"

Japan, on the other hand, is both confident and somewhat cautious.

Clearly, the Chinese team's performance in the last two group stage matches impressed them.

The Yomiuri Shimbun published an article stating: "We have the advantage of playing at home, but we cannot underestimate our opponents. The Chinese team is the biggest dark horse in this World Cup. Ye Xian's tactical arrangements are amazing, and Yang Chen's attacking power and Li Tie's interception ability should not be underestimated."

The Asahi Shimbun focused its analysis on the Chinese team's tactics: "The Chinese team excels at counter-attacking, and speed is their advantage. We must defend well and curb their counter-attacks in order to take control of the game."

Even TV Tokyo suspended its anime broadcasts, using a video clip to document the two teams' journey to the next round, and aired an interview with Japan's star player, Hidetoshi Nakata.

"The Chinese team's ability to draw with Brazil and defeat Turkey was not due to luck. Under the guidance of Milutinovic and Ye Xian, this Chinese team has varied tactics, strong player execution, and truly formidable fighting power."

"Moreover, as far as I know, the Chinese team often displays stronger fighting power when facing the Japanese team."

"Four years ago in the East Asian Four Nations Tournament, the Chinese team was not stronger than the Japanese team, but they still defeated us on our home field. I was on the field at the time, and I could feel their fighting spirit."

"This serves as a wake-up call for us today. This time, we must go all out and not repeat the same mistakes!"

……

The day finally arrived: June 18th.

It's 2 PM Beijing time.

Miyagi Stadium, Rifu-cho, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.

This place is only a ten-minute drive from Sendai, where Lu Xun once studied, but Chinese tourists generally don't visit there anymore.

Because all the eyes of the Chinese people were on this stadium that could hold 50,000 people!

At this time, a large number of Chinese fans had gathered outside the stadium.

They waved the five-star red flag, held up all sorts of banners, and spoke loudly, their voices resounding through the sky.

"We must win this game!" Even before the match started, a fan's voice was already hoarse. "We could win four years ago, and we can win now too! Go China!"

Behind him, a fan was carrying a homemade banner that read, "No need for mobilization, just for the country." These eight simple words expressed the sentiments of all Chinese fans.

Of course, the Japanese fans, playing on home soil, were not to be outdone.

They were all wearing blue jerseys and white headbands with the word "Victory" on them, and they gathered on the other side of the stadium.

A Japanese fan said in an interview, "We are stronger than the Chinese team, and we are playing at home. We will definitely win and advance to the quarterfinals."

Some fans also said, "The Chinese team's performance in the group stage was amazing, and we can't underestimate them. But I'm confident that the Blue Warriors can definitely beat them."

The fans of the two teams shouted at each other from a distance.

Although there was no overt conflict, there was a tense standoff!

Another half hour passed.

The camera then shifts to the scene inside the venue.

As commentator Huang Jianxiang's voice rang out, everyone knew that this highly anticipated match was about to begin!

"CCTV, CCTV, hello everyone!"

"This is the venue for the seventh Round of 16 match of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, between China and Japan!"

"Through the broadcast, we can see that Miyagi Stadium is already packed to capacity."

"Although it's Japan's home game today, there are also a lot of Chinese fans. It seems like the numbers are about 60/40. The red and blue areas are clearly separated, and everyone is cheering for the team with all their might."

"This match is extremely important for both countries' football teams, and also for the people of both countries!"

"Okay, let's take a look at the starting lineups for both teams..."

As the players from both teams entered the field one after another, led by the famous Italian referee Collina, the fans in the stadium could immediately see the starting eleven players for both sides.

The Japanese team still uses Troussier's most frequently used 3-5-2 formation.

The players who played today were exactly the same as those who played against Tunisia!

Goalkeeper: Narasaki Seigo.

Defenders: Naoki Matsuda, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, Koji Nakata.

Midfielder: Hidetoshi Nakata, Kazuyuki Toda, Tomokazu Akami, Shinji Ono, Junichi Inamoto.

Forwards: Takayuki Suzuki, Atsushi Yanagisawa.

The Chinese team, on the other hand, used a formation that they had never used before.

4-3-1-2!

Goalkeeper: Jiang Jin.

Defenders: Wu Chengying, Du Wei, Li Weifeng, Xu Yunlong.

Defensive midfielders: Li Tie, Zhao Junzhe, Yang Pu.

Attacking midfielder: Yu Genwei.

Forwards: Yang Chen, Qu Bo.

On the Japanese team's coaching bench, Troussier already sensed that something was amiss.

This starting lineup is completely different from what he expected!

How did a three-defensive-midfielder formation suddenly appear?

In particular, what is the purpose of moving Yang Pu, who originally played as a defender, to the midfield?

This Yang Pu didn't even play in the three group stage matches for the Chinese team!

On the front line, there is a "double speed" combination, with Yu Genwei, number 9 and a half, positioned behind them.

Is the plan to establish a strong defensive presence in midfield and then launch counter-attacks?

Troussier couldn't figure it out.

Just ask!

Both Troussier and Milutinovic have coached Asian and African teams for many years, so they are quite familiar with each other.

So during the handshake between the two coaches, Troussier tentatively shook Milutinovic's hand and asked, "Mr. Milutinovic, is there some unusual tactic you're using with this formation today?"

"Don't ask me, I don't know anything about it either." Milu laughed, then pointed to Ye Xian beside him, "All our tactics right now were designed by him, go ask him!"

Troussier looked at Ye Xian.

Ye Xian, of course, wouldn't actually answer.

He shrugged like a Westerner:

"You'll find out in 90 minutes..."