Chapter 387: The National Football Team Arrives at Old Trafford; CS Comrades Turn Their Blades on Each Other

Chinese National Team Official Announcement: The Chinese team's June friendly match schedule is as follows: Brazil (June 2), France (June 6), and the United States (June 11), with all matches taking place in Europe.

【So it's a China-US showdown, huh?】

【Brazil and France? Has the national football team gotten too big for its boots?】

【Something about this arrangement feels off; could Tang Tang Qiuwang have arranged this? Brazil and France are both his CS comrades-in-arms.】

【Tom's network of connections is flexing its muscles!】

The fact that Brazil and France are among the opponents for the June friendlies has left Chinese fans somewhat surprised.

A simple guess suggests that ggbond must have played a significant role in this.

The power of well-connected figures in the football world is truly top-tier!

The Manchester United bus slowly made its way toward the Carrington Base.

The driver was a Manchester United employee, but the passengers inside were not Manchester United players.

"Damn, we really should have gone to Spain."

Squatting on a chair, Tang Ye was playing Dou Dizhu with Wu Lei and Wei Wei Shihao.

"What's wrong?"

"The weather here is terrible, especially in the summer."

Tang Ye pulled open the curtains and pointed at the sky outside: "Look, it's overcast again. Based on my observations, it's going to rain here tonight. That's when it becomes most unbearable; it feels incredibly stuffy."

The absence of sunlight itself is already unpleasant enough; adding stuffiness to the mix makes it even more uncomfortable.

Even though he had lived in Manchester for a year, Tang Ye still hadn't adapted to the local climate.

"Anyway, we're heading to Russia in ten days."

Wu Lei slapped his poker cards onto the table: "Three of a kind with a kicker!"

"Holy crap, I'm finally going to win, damn it!"

At this moment, Wu Lei held only four cards, while Tang Ye's hand was still full of a massive pile.

"For real? You're about to win?"

Zhang Zhang Yuning and Feng Feng Xiaoting leaned in close.

From the airport all the way here, the three of them—Tang Ye included—had been playing Dou Dizhu nonstop; the poker master Tang Ye had lost only one round.

Now, his second defeat was imminent!

Wu Lei looked across the table at Tang Ye: "How many cards do you have left in your hand?"

"Uh, let me count... one, two, three..."

"I still have seventeen cards."

Tang Ye gave his answer.

"Haha, then you've lost, you've lost!"

Wu Lei turned his head to look at Zhang Zhang Yuning behind him: "I'm finally going to win, damn it!"

"Well... it's not over yet."

Tang Ye said softly.

"Not over yet? Wait, you think you can wipe me out with seventeen cards?"

Seventeen cards were simply too many.

Wu Lei was, of course, confident of victory!

Tang Ye chuckled, first laying down a bomb.

"Come on, continue."

Wu Lei made a "please" gesture.

Tang Ye laid down another bomb.

"..."

"Go on, keep going."

Tang Ye looked up into Wu Lei's eyes, then placed all his remaining cards on the table.

"Here comes the big airplane."

"Sorry, Brother Lei."

"..."

Wu Lei turned his head to look at Wei Wei Shihao beside him; Wei Wei Shihao was also looking at him, their four eyes meeting.

"Damn!"

"Hahaha!"

"No, I mean damn!"

Wu Lei clutching his head: "Why do I always feel like your cards are better than mine?"

"This hand was indeed a bit too good, but in the last round my cards were terrible."

Tang Ye shuffled the cards on the table together: "Brother Lei, maybe you just don't play enough; when you don't play enough, this is what happens."

"Don't you still have two fours in your hand? You even broke up your straight."

Wu Lei said nothing, staring wide-eyed at the two fours in his hand, then showed his cards to Wei Wei Shihao and Zhang Zhang Yuning.

"No way, you can even count cards. Feng Xiaoting, you come, you try; I really can't beat him."

Wu Lei gave up his seat to Feng Feng Xiaoting, who then sat down in front of Tang Ye.

"None of you can beat me; I've rarely lost even once from childhood until now."

Wei Wei Shihao shuffled the cards, preparing to start the next round, when Zhang Zhang Yuning suddenly shouted.

"Hey, we've arrived!"

It was their first time at the Manchester United base, and the Chinese national team players were all excited; Wei Wei Shihao even put down the poker cards he had just washed.

Manchester United's official side had released news about renting out the Carrington base, so when the bus reached the entrance, quite a few Manchester United fans were gathered outside.

"Tom!"

"Viva Tom Tom!"

The British people were extremely enthusiastic.

The Chinese national team renting the Carrington base and playing a match against the French team at Old Trafford was absolutely good news for the local Manchester United fans.

Watching Tom play during the off-season.

Could there be anything more delightful than this!

"China!"

"China!"

Manchester United fans held up Tang Ye's jersey and the Chinese national flag, showing their support for Tang Ye and his national team.

"Wow, Tang Tang Qiuwang, you're really something."

Looking at the gathered Manchester United fans outside, Zhang Zhang Yuning's eyes were shining.

This was the treatment of a world-class star!

Check Dongqiu Di pinned post: Chinese national team players officially arrive at Carrington base, preparing to begin the third phase of World Cup training camp tasks.

China Daily translation—The Russian President accepted an interview with reporters, expressing welcome to the teams coming to Russia for the upcoming World Cup.

"The world's most outstanding and greatest football players will gather in Russia in June and July; this is an honor for the nation. We hope this World Cup will become a passionate grand event."

China Sports Lottery: Odds list for all 32 teams to win the Russia World Cup.

Germany: 5.50 to 1

Brazil: 6.00 to 1

France: 6.50 to 1

Spain: 8.00 to 1

Iran, Tunisia, Costa Rica: 501.00 to 1

China: 650.00 to 1

Saudi Arabia, Panama: 1001 to 1

The Chinese team's odds of winning the championship were 650 to 1, ranking third from the bottom.

However, before the group draw actually began, the Chinese team's odds were only 500 to 1, even higher than those of Iran and Costa Rica.

But after the draw, the Chinese team's odds suddenly began to skyrocket.

This was because they had been drawn into the same group as Germany, Sweden, and Senegal.

Moreover, the first match of the group stage was between Germany and China.

Germany at 5.5 to 1 versus China at 650 to 1!

This is f*cking full of highlights!

Time quickly moved to June 2nd in London.

The Chinese team and the Brazilian team arrived successively at Old Trafford stadium.

Stepping off the bus, Neymar immediately went to the side of the Chinese national team's bus and found Wu Lei, who had just gotten off: "Has Tom come down yet?"

"Ah, ah."

Being addressed by Neymar, Wu Lei suddenly felt a bit nervous.

"Oh, oh, he's still in the bus; he can't find his earphones."

Just as Wu Lei finished speaking, Tang Ye, who had given up searching for his earphones, got off the bus.

"Oh, Tom!"

"Hey, Júnior!"

Tang Ye and Neymar high-fived, while local fans nearby were taking photos.

"Damn, every time I ask you to play games, you never come."

"Haha, my bad, sorry Tom."

Walking toward the side gate together, Neymar said to Tang Ye: "I am indeed quite busy; it should be much better after the World Cup. But I feel we can play tonight; let's call Osman too."

Tang Ye squinted at Neymar: "Júnior, I always feel like you're lying to me; every morning you say we'll play, then at night you say you went to a nightclub. Are you planning to play CS in a nightclub?"

"Haha!"

Neymar placed his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder: "We'll definitely play today, definitely play today."

"Let's watch the match first, let's watch the match first."

As Tang Ye spoke, Casemiro and Marcelo walked over from behind; the two exchanged greetings with Tang Ye.

"Are you all playing today?"

"Yes, we're all playing, but probably only for half a match."

Casemiro fist-bumped Tang Ye.

"Same for me; I should also play half a match, but I feel I might stay on the field a bit longer; we still need to find our rhythm."

"Good luck then."

Neymar raised his hand to bid farewell to Tang Ye: "See you on the field later."

Tang Ye turned and left, but at that moment Neymar seemed to suddenly remember something; he ran up, grabbed Tang Ye, and said, "Oh right, remember not to tackle me."

"Haha, don't worry, Junior."

It was just a friendly match, and with the World Cup imminent, how could Tang Ye possibly harm his friend?

"No, I'm not talking about you; remember to tell your teammates too."

"No problem, no problem."

It took about half a minute to walk back to the locker room, by which time Tang Ye had already forgotten what Neymar had instructed him.

"Tang Ye, um, about Neymar..."

Zhang Zhang Yuning and Zhang Zhang Linpeng approached Tang Ye: "Could you help us get his WhatsApp number?"

"Just go ask him directly after the match ends; Brother Peng, don't you speak English?"

Thinking it was some major matter, Tang Ye shook his head.

"He's very approachable; if you ask for his WhatsApp, he'll definitely give it. I'm not lying."

To personally interact with a world-class star and request contact information...

Zhang Zhang Yuning and Zhang Zhang Linpeng exchanged a glance.

For some reason, players from European and South American teams always gave them a strong sense of pressure.

"Everyone sit down, sit down!"

Madaloni signaled for all the players to quiet down and began analyzing the tactics for today's match.

The main reason the national team chose Brazil as their friendly opponent was simply that Brazil also wanted to play against the national team.

But there was another reason.

That was, the Chinese team wanted to use this opportunity to practice fast-paced possession play once again.

The logic was clear: since all teams participating in the World Cup are strong, if the Chinese team wanted to secure points in the group stage, they absolutely had to elevate their own tempo by one level!

"..."

"Still, pay attention."

After Madaloni finished speaking, Lippi walked to the center.

Madaloni quickly stepped aside to make way.

"It's still the same idea: when you play, don't worry too much about the score. If we lose this match, we lose; finding the feeling is the most important thing. Conceding a few more goals is fine; just speed up the rhythm. Hmm, that's it."

The match was about to begin!

Tang Ye plus Neymar, and furthermore at Old Trafford; with these multiple factors combined, nearly 30,000 fans came to watch the match today.

Manchester was like this, but back in China, the situation was even more exaggerated.

"Brothers! Today is the friendly between the national team and Brazil!"

"The home team is..."

"Oh, today there is no home team, only a host."

"Host Tang Ye holds court at Old Trafford, leading his national teammates to resist their CS: GO comrades!"

【What the hell kind of host is that?】

【Come to think of it, today is Tang Ye's home ground.】

【Manchester United fans are truly blessed; even during the off-season, they get to watch Tang Ye play against Neymar.】

【Wait, what was China thinking, playing a friendly against Brazil?】

【Anyway, we'll have to play Germany eventually, so might as well get crushed early to adapt.】

Boom!

Gao Lin kicked the ball directly back to Feng Feng Xiaoting.

The match had begun!

"Brothers, let me first introduce Brazil's lineup."

Brazil (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Alisson

Defenders: Danilo, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo

Midfielders: Paulinho, Casemiro, Coutinho

Forwards: Willian, Jesus, Neymar

Head Coach: Tite

Since they didn't know the situation with the Chinese team, Brazil kept the tempo very slow right at the start of the match.

The Chinese team was bewildered by this; Zhang Zhang Xizhe and Zheng Zhi seemed to be sleepwalking.

Tang Ye also felt uncomfortable, but he handled the situation very quickly.

"It's fine, it's fine, just pass, pass directly, pass directly!"

Receiving the ball from a teammate's feet, Tang Ye began his maneuver.

Ahead stood Casemiro!

Boom!

Tang Ye passed the ball to Wang Wang Shenchao, who was making a forward run on the wing, then dodged around Casemiro!

Casemiro instinctively reached out, wanting to pull Tang Ye down, but remembering it was a friendly match, he ultimately decided against it.

Wang Wang Shenchao passed to Yu Yu Hanchao!

Yu Yu Hanchao dribbled forward himself first, then suddenly played a cut-back pass to Tang Ye.

Facing Paulinho, Tang Ye ran up to receive the ball.

Boom!

The heel directly knocks the ball fiercely to Wu Lei on the right flank!

Now it's up to Wu Lei!

Controlling the ball, Wu Lei faces Marcelo one-on-one!

"Damn, what do you say, Ball King Wu!"

"Try a step-over!"

"Cutting inside directly!"

Wu Lei's acceleration is fast; Marcelo fails to keep up immediately.

Cross!

Gao Lin!

Boom!

Gao Lin shoots, but Alisson saves it!

"What a pity!"

"But Wu Lei seems to be finding his form!"

In the third warm-up match, Wu Lei finally displays the standard of a top-five-league player.

"Awesome, Brother Lei!"

Tang Ye gives Wu Lei a thumbs-up.

In those few seconds just now, Tang Ye sensed something familiar from Wu Lei.

It was just like...

The shadow of his old friend Bakambu!

"Come on, come on!"

Tang Ye really wants to high-five Wu Lei, but Brazil is launching a counterattack, so he can only helplessly retreat.

By the 15th minute of the first half, Brazil gradually enters the rhythm of the match.

Pressure on the Chinese team surges dramatically!

"Behind, behind!"

Slap!

Coutinho sends a high cross, finding Jesus upfront directly.

Jesus controls the ball!

Steps on the ball and stops abruptly!

Then pushes a through-ball into the penalty area!

Willian!

Slap!

A driven shot is fired!

Goal!

A very fluid long-pass combination.

Brazil scores first!

Lippi stands on the sideline, arms crossed over his chest.

The national team coach's face shows no expression.

Passing from midfield to the front, then coordinating upfront to complete the goal.

This is exactly the feeling Lippi planned for the team to produce.

But the coordination between Gao Lin, Wu Lei, and Tang Ye is simply too stiff.

This is a very serious problem!

The match continues!

After scoring one goal, Brazil does not lower the match tempo but maintains this attacking rhythm.

The Chinese team makes adjustments, switching to a defensive formation in the short term.

Coutinho receives a grounded through-ball from Miranda!

"I got it, I got it!"

Zheng Zhi stands beside Coutinho marking his position, while Wu Lei runs back.

The two execute a combination, leaving Coutinho unable to shield the ball in the end.

"Impressive, impressive!"

Lippi shouts in less-than-standard Chinese.

The Chinese team launches a counterattack!

"Look at me, look at me!"

Tang Ye shouts his favorite phrase; Wu Lei pulls the ball, turns, and then sends a through-ball to Tang Ye.

Taking control of the ball, Tang Ye dribbles forward himself!

"Going, going!"

Boom!

A long pass finds Yu Yu Hanchao ahead!

After receiving the ball, Yu Yu Hanchao turns and cuts inside!

The idea is good, but Yu Yu Hanchao is a bit slow, giving Danilo the opportunity to mark him tightly.

Slap!

Danilo clears the ball out for a corner!

……

(End of Chapter)