Chapter 876: Honored to Be China's Semifinal Opponent

Baijiahao — Although the Qatar World Cup has a rule that yellow cards are cleared before the semifinals, red cards trigger a mandatory suspension unaffected by this rule, meaning Zhang Zhang Linpeng will be unable to play in the semifinal match.

As the first team to advance to the semifinals, the Chinese National Team arrived early in the host city of the venue, waiting for their next-round opponent.

France and Brazil; China's semifinal opponent will be decided between these two teams.

"Actually, I think for the Chinese team, Brazil would be the more suitable opponent."

On a CCTV5+ special program, a Chinese football expert shared his views on the semifinals: "We say that China reaching this stage is already a miracle, and indeed it is. But we also know everyone hopes the National Team can continue creating miracles. Hmm... in my opinion, and that of other experts on the program team, it would be much better if China's semifinal opponent were Brazil."

Brazil is a traditional football powerhouse.

Even in the eyes of some netizens who rarely follow football, the word "Brazil" represents the highest level of the sport, with no equal.

However, in reality, Brazil's strength has declined sharply in recent years and is no longer as dominant as it was decades ago.

For the Chinese team, Brazil is preferable to France; regarding this, the program's experts provided a series of arguments.

1. The French team has Mbappé and Dembélé; either player alone is someone the Chinese team cannot handle.

2. After experiencing the first two knockout matches, the Chinese players' energy has been completely exhausted, making it difficult to face France's fierce offensive.

3. During this World Cup group stage, Brazil committed frequent errors, which is seen as a sign of poor form among the Brazilian players.

4. During the Russia World Cup, the National Team had experience playing against Brazil; for the Chinese team, Brazil is not invincible.

Based on these arguments, the task for Chinese fans now is very clear.

Cheer for Brazil!

Brazil must defeat France!

Match Preview: Quarterfinals France vs. Brazil — Who will meet China in the semifinals!

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The World Cup can sometimes be too dramatic; Brazil was the culprit that eliminated China four years ago, yet now Chinese fans need to stand up and cheer for them.

Neymar, if you can take down France, then what happened four years ago will be written off!

【Go Brazil!】

【You know, I've always been a Brazil fan】

【Actually, it would be fine if France advanced; I quite like France. How about this: Neymar goes up and swaps a red card with Mbappé】

【Rodri and De Jong have already repaid Big Brother's kindness; Deng-zi, it's your turn too. Referee, give us a red card!】

【Who has the WeChat payment QR code for the main referee of the France-Brazil match? Send it to me】

"Tang Tang Qiuwang, who do you favor?"

At the hotel pool, the Chinese team players were soaking in ice baths.

"F***, France will definitely win; Brazil stands no chance."

Unexpectedly, Tang Ye answered so decisively that Zhang Zhang Yuning looked somewhat surprised: "I thought you would say we should cheer for Brazil."

"That's different; I indeed intend to cheer for Brazil."

"Didn't you just say France will definitely win?"

"Me cheering for Brazil and France definitely winning are two separate things, Brother Ning!"

Tang Ye shrugged his shoulders: "I know Brazil will lose, but I hope they win, so I'm cheering for them."

"Then won't those friends of yours on the French team be very sad?"

Hearing this, Tang Ye raised an eyebrow and touched his nose: "Hehe, let them make a sacrifice."

"Haha! Damn, that works, that works!"

"But indeed, if we play Brazil, I also feel we have a chance."

Feng Feng Xiaoting showed a joyful expression: "I f*** don't even know my own level anymore; after beating Spain and then the Netherlands, now I feel we can beat Brazil too. Haha, truly damn amazing."

"That just proves we're awesome."

Tang Ye's tone was firm.

"Yeah, really, didn't we play Brazil once before? I feel there's a chance; anyway, we're stronger now than we were four years ago."

"How did it feel playing Brazil four years ago?"

Wei Wei Shihao turned his head to look at Zhang Zhang Yuning.

"Whatever you felt is what I felt; aren't we f*** the same?"

"I wasn't even on the big roster four years ago."

"Oh?"

Wei Wei Shihao's words left Zhang Zhang Yuning stunned for a moment: "What's the situation, Brother Hao? You didn't play during the Russia tournament? That's not good enough; can't you step up? Your name is Wei Wei Shihao!"

"Idiot."

Poor Zhang Zhang Yuning got cursed out by Wei Wei Shihao; Zhang Zhang Xizhe, who had been silent beside them, finally spoke up: "You guys are truly confident; you think beating Brazil is a sure win, judging by your attitude. Can you recover in four days?"

"For sure."

After speaking, Tang Ye sank his body down, submerging half his head in the ice water.

Feeling his words were slightly imprecise, he stood up again: "Anyway, I feel I can recover, although my shoulder here still hurts a bit."

He pinched his right shoulder; during yesterday's match against the Netherlands, Tang Ye had truly been hit hard.

Other players also had varying degrees of discomfort, and their conditions might even be more severe than Tang Ye's.

Players in their twenties are fine, but for those over thirty, recovery is indeed a difficult problem.

Especially Feng Feng Xiaoting; this center-back is nearly forty years old!

"Will Brother Ting be able to run when the time comes?"

"Worry about yourself first!"

"Dembele, right! Move over!"

"Griezmann."

"Shoot directly!"

"Goal!"

"Dembele!"