Chapter 788: Why the Chinese Fans' National Anthem Sounds So Loud

Hunan, Changsha.

The legendary holy land of "chili pork with noodles," which is also where the Chinese national team will face Japan.

For Changsha's cultural tourism, this is clearly a good opportunity to promote Changsha by leveraging the Chinese national team.

Some will say, what if the national team loses? What if they lose to Japan, wouldn't this promotion just explode?

This...

To be honest, anything that can bring benefits must bear a certain risk.

When the benefit is large enough, the price you pay will also be somewhat high.

At this point, one must consider carefully.

Hmm...

The bet is that the national team can beat Japan!

We must still believe in ggbond!

Reprint: The national team released a training video preparing for Japan: Fully prepared!

Previously, some fans worried that, given that the group ranking and seed status were unrelated, would the national team go all out against Japan?

But now it seems this worry is largely unnecessary.

The Chinese team attaches great importance to this match against Japan; they even arrived at the hotel in Changsha two days in advance.

Isn't this a sign of going all out?

It's settled!

"We can play a bit more conservatively in the day after tomorrow's match."

In the hotel conference room, Escrivá was emphasizing certain things to the players: "Whether we finish first or second in the group, our chance of getting a seed status is very low, so there's no need to fight desperately in the match the day after tomorrow."

Escrivá is after all not Ten Hag; he doesn't care about things like winning streak momentum.

Ferran leans more towards caution.

"If we beat Japan, our FIFA ranking might surpass theirs."

Tang Ye reminded him.

Wu Lei also chimed in.

It's clear they are both quite eager to win.

"I know, of course I know."

Escrivá quickly soothed the players' emotions: "I checked earlier; our ranking difference with Japan isn't much. If we win the next two matches, our ranking will likely surpass Japan's."

"Then why still play it safe? Why not just go straight for them?"

Tang Ye added.

"My point is that seed status versus non-seed status actually makes little difference to us; we will face very strong opponents either way."

This...

Alright.

As a coach, Escrivá indeed considers more things than the players do.

Even if you participate in the World Cup group stage draw as the number one team in Asia, you still won't get the "top seed" status in the end; "top seeds" are reserved for teams from Europe, Nanmeizhou, and Africa. In the Asian region, besides Qatar as the host being a "top seed," it's a dream for any other team to get "top seed" status.

Besides the top seed, the second and third seed statuses are actually not very useful, since you cannot avoid the super teams ranked in the top 10 by FIFA.

"So our goal is a draw. Drawing against Japan at home is actually enough. I know you might feel you have the ability to win the match, but you must also know that I now understand Japan's overall strength very well. Hmm... my point is, we only need a draw; do not take the risk of losing."

Escrivá's subconscious thought was that beating the current Japan team was still too difficult for the Chinese national team.

The meeting ended, and the players slowly left the room.

"Actually, I feel it's unnecessary."

Wu Lei said.

In the previous match against Saudi Arabia, this national team striker kicked out his confidence, which led to him not fully agreeing with Escrivá's decision now.

Even if we lose, the World Cup ticket in hand won't disappear; why not take a shot?

"He might be afraid that if we lose to Japan, our confidence will be gone."

Tang Ye shook his head slightly: "Actually, I also quite want to take a shot, but Japan is indeed formidable. This year's Saudi Arabia and Japan are far stronger than last year; I feel last year they simply hadn't gelled properly."

"Then what do you say?"

"No choice; let's play according to the plan first. The situation might change later; we can adjust then."

He Long Sports Center.

"Xuuu!!"

As soon as Japan's bus drove in, it immediately received a welcome from the home fans.

A match between the group first and group second has no essential difference from any national derby or regional derby; fans on both sides are now very excited.

The bus curtains were naturally not drawn, so no one knew what kind of mindset the Japanese players sitting inside had.

Would they feel nervous? What is their attitude towards today's match?

Click-clack!

"Hello, Moriyasu-san, I am Ueno Kazuhito from 'Nikkan Sports.' Regarding the recent 'wave of reflection' among Japanese fans, what do you, Moriyasu-san, have to say? Or, in your view, what significance does this have?"

"Hmm..."

Moriyasu's expression was somewhat strange, an indescribable feeling; it was unclear whether it was helplessness or anger.

"When you fall behind, of course you must reflect. From this perspective, I think the fans' approach is correct. But if you think carefully, I feel this reflection is actually not quite correct."

"The gap between Japan and China is not mainly reflected in the overall team, but in Tang Ye as an individual. Take Wu Lei and Zhang Zhang Yuning for example; Japan can field players equal to, or even better than, them."

"So the main problem still lies with Tang Ye."

Hajime Moriyasu nodded slightly: "Therefore, I believe what the fans should reflect on is not primarily our current tactics or overall performance; we must start from the root. Fundamentally, it is still an issue of youth training. We do not possess the environment to cultivate players like Tang Ye, and that is what requires reflection."

Click-click!

Hajime Moriyasu's words made perfect sense, directly altering the mindset of many fans watching the live broadcast.

The gap between national teams, at its root, is essentially a gap in youth training.

Japan did not possess the conditions to cultivate a player like Tang Ye; it hadn't possessed them since 1999. Twenty-three years later, a boomerang came swinging back, striking the Japanese national team squarely in the neck.

"Then how do you think we should adjust our youth training system? Which country should we learn from for youth training? The Netherlands, or perhaps China?"

"Well..."

Hajime Moriyasu tilted his head slightly upward.

Learn youth training from England?

No, England currently doesn't have a player worth 300 million euros either.

Learn from Spain's La Masia?

Of course not; La Masia doesn't have a 300-million-euro player either.

So what should be done?

And the most absurd part of this question is that even if you were to learn from the national team Tang Ye plays for, to learn from China, it still wouldn't work.

Because after all this time, even China doesn't know how this fellow Tang Ye suddenly popped up.

"Well... I don't know yet; this is something that requires long-term consideration."

"China Media Group, China Media Group!"

"This is the live broadcast bringing you..."

"Players from both sides are already ready in the tunnel!"

With less than ten minutes remaining before kickoff, players from both teams had already lined up in the tunnel.

On screen, Hiroki Sakai actively approached to greet Tang Ye.

Hiroki Sakai shook hands and bowed, startling Tang Ye into immediately returning a bow.

"Tang Sang, I want to apologize to you on behalf of Osako..."

Hiroki Sakai said, quickly turning his head to glance at Okazaki Yuya Osako, who was standing at the very back of the line.

Okazaki Yuya Osako didn't dare come forward directly to speak with Tang Ye, because during the previous match in Saitama, he had thoroughly offended the captain of the Chinese team.

What made it uncomfortable was that during the match that day, Tang Ye had not accepted his apology, leaving Okazaki Yuya Osako at a loss as to what to do.

"Oh, well..."

Tang Ye took a deep breath: "Let's talk about it after the match."

"Mm-hmm, okay, arigato gozaimasu (thank you)!"

Hiroki Sakai bowed to Tang Ye once more.

Although he had offered his apologies, in reality, Hiroki Sakai knew clearly that the matter was still not settled.

Tang Ye's attitude indicated that he insisted on Okazaki Yuya Osako coming to apologize in person.

Turning his head to look at Okazaki Yuya Osako at the very back, Hiroki Sakai helplessly spread his hands.

Brother, I've already helped you, but he didn't agree.