Chapter 783: Portugal's Icebreaker Operation, Carrington's Absolute Iceberg

2022 Qatar World Cup Qualifiers – AFC Final Round Group B Standings (through Matchday 8):

1. China, 20 points. (Qualified)

2. Japan, 18 points.

3. Oman, 10 points.

4. Saudi Arabia, 8 points.

5. UAE, 6 points.

6. Vietnam, 4 points.

Tang Ye had just returned to Manchester, and right at that moment the result of the Japan vs. Oman match also came out.

Pretty much as expected, Japan defeated Oman at home.

So even though the national team lost to Saudi Arabia yesterday, it doesn't matter — no matter the result, they were going to qualify early anyway.

In the end, it was all for nothing — Bai Bai was nervous over nothing!

Of course, this way of thinking about the problem is based on before Matchday 8 kicked off, when the Chinese team had not yet locked in qualification early.

After the national team drew with Saudi Arabia and qualified for the World Cup proper ahead of schedule, the situation changed dramatically.

For the national team, which had already qualified, they actually very much did not want Japan to beat Oman.

Precisely because Japan beat Oman 3-1, the gap between Japan and China is now only 2 points!

In response, well-known Bilibili uploader "Broke Bros Doodoo" posted a video.

"I said it long ago, bros can go check my previous videos — I said way back that the Japan team is really strong."

Li Li Laoba wore glasses, and his big belly combined with his sleazy expression — all these factors stacked together give fans the feeling that he really knows football.

"Now, Japan (Manchester accent) and China (London accent) are only 2 points apart, so isn't China's first place in the group no longer safe?"

"Thanks to this fan for the paid question, Li Li Laoba really appreciates your support!"

"Let me answer this question."

For paid questions, Li Li Laoba has always been very earnest.

"First! I personally think whether or not we take first in the group isn't important for China, because any fan who knows football knows the World Cup group-stage seeding is based on FIFA rankings — whether you're first in the group doesn't matter at all!"

In the video, Li Li Laoba's eyes were sharp, as if scolding those so-called "fans who don't know football" in front of their phones.

"So, my personal suggestion, Erik ten Hag — since the national team has already qualified for the World Cup, don't send your Tom back home now, hurry up and go for the Premier League and Champions League double!"

"My Cristiano Ronaldo is about to turn 37, hurry up and give him a Champions League title to celebrate!"

【The dagger revealed itself】

【Got it! So that's how it is!】

【Then here's the question — if we don't take Japan down, how do we pull up our FIFA ranking? Japan is ranked above us now】

【Li Li Laoba is just plain low-IQ, forgot that Japan overtook us in the rankings last year? We're 2 spots behind now, winning one head-to-head is basically enough — let our Tang Tang Qiuwang pop off one more time】

【You really think my Tang Tang Qiuwang is some kind of bull? You can let a pig plow the field, but you can't let a pig keep plowing…】

【Bros are still too slow — Li Li Laoba is trying to deliver a title for his CR7 daddy. If Tang Ye doesn't stay at the club, how does Manchester United win the Champions League? Rely on Rashford or rely on ten Hag?】

The fans were all cursing Li Li Laoba, thinking Li Li Laoba was an idiot who didn't understand football at all.

In fact, they were all wrong, and almost everyone had fallen into Li Li Laoba's trap.

Look closely and you'll find that over the past few years, Li Li Laoba has gained over 800,000 followers in China through his absurd antics, and his fame is approaching 10 million.

With such a huge fan base, the paid questions on his WeChat public account alone can rake in plenty of cash, let alone the advertising fees from platforms like JD. com and Pinduoduo!

Everyone got harvested!

……

Match Preview: February 20, 10 PM, Premier League Matchday 26, Manchester United away vs. Leeds United — can the Super Red Devils extend their unbeaten league run, and can CR7 reclaim a starting spot?

Attached data — in his last 5 matches, CR7 has come off the bench 4 times, averaging a 6.7 rating (7th on the team), with 3 goals and 1 assist.

Overall, CR7's numbers are still pretty decent — even at nearly 37, he's fully qualified to start as Manchester United's centre-forward.

However!

Everyone knows this Portuguese man has run into big trouble.

CR7 and head coach ten Hag are on hostile terms!

February 17, afternoon, Carrington base.

"No, you can't operate like that, you know? Right now the tempo in training isn't fast, but when it comes to a real match you'll see the problem. Dribbling like that, you simply can't create a threat for the opposition — the moment they drop back, your push forward is wasted, it's just a waste of time!"

The players had just finished the afternoon training session, and Tang Ye was on the pitch criticizing Greenwood and Lin Lin Jiade.

As both club and national team captain, Tang Ye can be said to carry a very heavy burden.

CR7 watched Tang Ye instructing the young players on the training pitch, said nothing, and instead turned his head to look at Rodri, who was heading toward the changing room.

"You need to use TY's supporters to open up your situation at Manchester United, and slowly defuse the conflict with ten Hag."

Remembering what Mendes had said, CR7 chased after Rodri.

Keeping a pace that wasn't too fast, so that by the time CR7 caught up with Rodri, the two of them would just happen to enter the corner together, avoiding Tang Ye on the training pitch noticing their conversation.

"Rodri!"

CR7 said hello, and Rodri naturally turned his head, giving CR7 a high-five: "Oh, Cristiano, feels like your form's been pretty good lately, haha!"

"Of course!"

CR7 was a little pleased, shrugged his shoulders, but quickly realized that wasn't the point of today, and his expression turned serious.

"Rodri, I remember you've been here quite a long time now, almost catching up to when I first came to Manchester United."

"Still a long way off — Tom and I came over around the same time."

Rodri vaguely sensed that CR7 had something to say, and couldn't help but tense up.

"Then how's your relationship with ten Hag, still pretty good?"

"Hmm... it's been so long, it must be pretty good. But in my first season here, Eric still didn't like me much."

Rodri waved his hand: "There's no helping it. He met Tom when he was at Utrecht. His starting point was too high; he can't possibly meet a player who satisfies him again later."

"Hmm..."

Cristiano Ronaldo nodded. Rodri continued: "But it's fine. Eric is just like that. Give it time, and it'll get better. Once he gets familiar with you, it'll be fine. He only recognizes people he knows."

Ten Hag only recognizes people he knows.

Hearing this, Cristiano Ronaldo pursed his lips, somewhat helpless.

Rodri could wait, Rashford could wait too. They could all wait for Ten Hag's attitude to change, because they were all young, and their contracts with Manchester United were very long.

But Cristiano Ronaldo was different!

He had a 1+1 contract, and he was about to turn 37.

His career was nearing its end; Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't afford to waste a whole year.

"Um..."

Cristiano Ronaldo gave a bitter smile: "I was thinking... could you help me arrange a meeting with Eric? I'll treat both of you to a meal. I think that would be quite nice."

"Hmm?"

Rodri raised an eyebrow: "You want to have a meal with Eric? Then just find him on WhatsApp, or send a message directly."

"It's not the same. I want you to help arrange it, and then the three of us... or even one more person wouldn't matter. We'll have dinner together. What do you think?"

Cristiano Ronaldo looked at Rodri with a slightly expectant gaze.

The words were a bit confusing, but for Rodri, figuring out this matter was relatively easy.

The relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ten Hag was too awkward, so awkward that someone, or even more people, needed to step in to help.

The ice was too hard; one person couldn't chip it away.

They needed to find someone with a pickaxe to help!

"Oh, this..."

Rodri stroked his chin while Cristiano Ronaldo maintained his expectant expression.

Hmm...

Thinking it over carefully, actually, helping Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't a big problem for Rodri, after all, he, Rodri, wasn't some great villain who would let someone die without helping.

The problem was... the matter Cristiano Ronaldo wanted help with could potentially harm Tang Ye's interests.

Right now, Cristiano Ronaldo was being held down tightly by both Tang Ye and Ten Hag.

If Rodri helped Cristiano Ronaldo smash through Ten Hag's block of ice, it would certainly be a good thing for the Portuguese.

But what about Tang Ye?

If Cristiano Ronaldo regained the starting spot and then challenged Tang Ye's captain's armband... considering Cristiano Ronaldo's personality, Rodri believed this was possible, and the likelihood would only grow.

If Cristiano Ronaldo truly challenged Tang Ye's captain's armband, wouldn't Rodri be letting down his Chinese brother of many years?

Quickly sorting out his thoughts, Rodri coughed twice.

"This... no, I don't think so."