Chapter 902: Klinsmann: Even Jordan Loses

Seoul Newspaper front-page headline—South Korea's new coach Klinsmann is German, and fans worry he will become the team's weak point.

"South Korea hopes to pull off an upset against China to reach the semifinals, but the coach's German nationality makes them uneasy. So far, Tang Ye remains undefeated against Bayern Munich and the German national team."

As everyone knows, Tang Ye holds the title of "German Slayer," causing many German fans to feel tremendous fear whenever they face the Chinese team.

Colliding with tournament favorite China during a critical period like the Asian Cup, while having a German head coach, means the South Korean team has stacked every possible buff.

However, looking at it from another angle.

This presents an opportunity for Klinsmann and the German and Bayern fans behind him!

"Germans are terribly afraid of China; they fear every player from China."

At the pre-match press conference, Klinsmann appeared very dejected: "Even before, I felt this fear, but later I investigated the data. In the last five years, China and Germany have only met twice; although we have never beaten China, China has only beaten us once."

"The reference data is too scarce; after confirming this situation, I no longer feel anxious."

"German fans also have no need to be anxious; football ultimately relies on strength, curses and so-called 'metaphysics' cannot hold true forever. Tang Ye is the best player, I am certainly willing to admit that, but even the best player cannot win every match."

"Even Jordan loses."

Click-click!

Retweet: The starting lineups for the China-South Korea match are announced: South Korea in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Son Heung-min playing as an attacking midfielder to face Tang Ye, Jiang Guangtai versus Kim Min-jae, Dai Wai-Tsun on the bench.

Klinsmann: Tang Ye is the greatest in history, but even the greatest in history cannot win every match, just like Jordan.

【The Koreans are barking again】

【Fun fact: Klinsmann is not Korean; he is German and previously coached Bayern Munich】

Coached Bayern? No wonder; I sensed this guy harbors hostility toward my King Tang Tang Qiuwang. He clearly doesn't know the value of my 2020-21 Dortmund Champions League campaign.

【Why is Dai Wai-Tsun still on the bench? Give him a starting spot, Mr. Coach (Why is Dai Wai-Tsun still a substitute? Give him a start, Coach Mr.)】

【Failed to spot Tang Ye at the venue, but ran into Qingshu; I can prove Qingshu looks better in person than online (. jpg)】

"China Central Television! Here is the live broadcast of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final between the host nation, the Chinese men's football team, and the South Korean men's football team!"

"As we can see, players from both sides are ready!"

Tang Ye and Son Heung-min stood at the very front of their respective lines, one on the left and one on the right, as the two team captains shook hands and embraced.

Since both are Premier League players, they are quite familiar with each other.

"Send my regards to Harry."

"Haha."

Unexpectedly hearing Son Heung-min say this, Tang Ye was amused: "Harry often talks about you to me."

"Perhaps I need to apologize to you on behalf of Manchester United; Tottenham has lost a great striker."

"Sigh."

Son Heung-min smiled apologetically beside him, placing a hand on Tang Ye's back as the two led their respective teams onto the field.

"China team!"

"Long live!"

"China team!"

"Long live!"

"Tang Ye is awesome!"

This is what a home match is like; at least 95% of the people in the entire Workers' Stadium are China team fans, leaving absolutely no room for fans of other nations.

Fewer than 1,000 players making up the South Korean away contingent huddled in the away stand, surrounded and protected by a group of college student volunteers.

One wonders if among these college student volunteers there are any of Tang Ye's senior or junior schoolmates?

"Beep!"

"The match has begun!"

"..."

South Korea (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Jo Hyeon-woo

Defenders: Seol Young-woo, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Min-jae, Kim Tae-hwan

Midfielders: Hwang In-beom, Son Heung-min, Park Yong-woo

Forwards: Hwang Hee-chan, Cho Gue-sung, Lee Kang-in

Head Coach: Klinsmann

The formation South Korea pulled out is exactly the same as the national football team's, identical in every way.

But the distinction between Xi Shi and Dong Shi is extremely pronounced; it is not something a single formation can make up for.

The starting lineup value of the South Korean team barely reaches 170 million euros, not even half of the Chinese team's!

"Go Tang Ye!"

Right from the start of the match, South Korea played quite conservatively; after Hwang Hee-chan received the ball on the wing, he did not even launch a direct attack, which infuriated the national football fans.

So Klinsmann is a liar too, is he?

What happened to saying he wasn't afraid of China!

"Hwang Hee-chan... not going forward?"

"Oh, he's waiting for Hwang In-beom on the left!"

Waiting for his teammate to run into the proper position, Hwang Hee-chan then made the pass, and Hwang In-beom, upon receiving the ball, immediately and decisively launched his advance.

Teammates in the center and on the right reacted quickly, accelerating to catch up!

It's up to Zhang Zhang Linpeng now!

Zhang Zhang Linpeng retreated step by step, while nearby, Zhang Zhang Xizhe was moving over to support.

A one-on-two situation on the wing is somewhat difficult; Hwang Hee-chan probably wouldn't...

Slap!

"Oh!!!"

Gasps erupted from the crowd on site; cutting inside, Hwang Hee-chan used his speed to forcibly blow past Zhang Zhang Xizhe, while Zhang Zhang Linpeng, out of position, could do nothing.

Trouble is coming!

Slap!

Hwang Hee-chan passes to Lee Kang-in!

Then to Son Heung-min!

Boom!

Son Heung-min's shot and Zhu Zhu Chenjie's block occurred at almost the exact same moment; fortunately, Zhu Zhu Chenjie's block ultimately succeeded.

Wow!

That was close!

Although South Korea has been controlling possession, when a real opportunity arises, they are still able to seize it.

Tang Ye made several gestures toward Zhang Zhang Xizhe and Hao Hao Junmin, signaling his teammates to focus: "Watch their wings."

The 8th minute.

Boom!

Zhang Zhang Yuning headed the ball just over the crossbar; about a minute later, the broadcast camera cut to the away supporters' stand, where a familiar face appeared on screen.

"This is..."

"This is the South Korean professional esports player... Faker, Li Li Xianghe, who plays for the T1 club. I didn't expect Faker to be here today."

Zhan Jun activated his facial recognition system, just as Faker gave a thumbs-up to the camera.

It wasn't just Faker; other T1 players, such as Zeus, Oner, and Gumayusi, were also present.

"Hana Bank, the sponsor of the T1 club, is also the sponsor of the South Korean national team; they must have been invited by the sponsor to watch the match on site today."

"Yes, it seems South Korea is very confident in its own football team; they might think they can defeat the Chinese team away from home?"

"Hmm... objectively speaking, it's possible, but I don't think it will be an easy task."

T1's on-site support for the South Korean men's football team was seen as a move by the main sponsor.

Indeed, T1's presence was due to Hana Bank's invitation, but Zhan Jun guessed wrong about Hana Bank's reason for inviting them.

Rather than saying Faker and others came to cheer for the South Korean team, it would be more accurate to say they came to restrain Tang Ye.

As early as 2017, the South Korean media outlet 'ESK' published Yi Pian Wen Zhang reporting that a new Asian signing for Manchester United, valued at 200 million euros, encountered Faker in a League of Legends ranked match, where he was solo-killed by Faker five times in a single game, posting an absurd score of 1/8/5.

Notably, after this Korean server ranked match ended, that Manchester United player's rank dropped from Challenger to Master.

So, who is this Manchester United player?

So hard to guess!

"Brother Li Xianghe, let's crush TY!"

South Korean fans shouted.

The incident of Tang Ye being utterly destroyed by Faker in a League of Legends ranked match was extremely popular in South Korea at the time; almost no one was unaware of it.

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Camera cuts to the stands; Faker watches on-site to support South Korea, seemingly intending to suppress Tang Ye?

The 21st minute.

Currently, China still holds a slight advantage in the match flow; the coordination between Tang Ye and Wu Lei has been excellent, helping the team accumulate a high possession rate.

"Here!"

Slap!

A through pass pushed to Wu Lei cutting inside; after completing the pass, Tang Ye ran to the right flank to cover the position.

"Watch the wings!"

Klinsmann understood this kind of crossing run by the national football team all too well; there was absolutely no chance for Wu Lei and Tang Ye to execute their combination.

Wu Lei wanted to pass but found Hwang Hee-chan, who had tracked back, standing in Tang Ye's defensive line; having no choice, he first passed the ball to Zhang Zhang Yuning.

Boom!

Someone bumped into him from behind, but Zhang Zhang Yuning still managed to pass the ball to Fernandinho.

Cutting inside and adjusting his step, Fernandinho prepared himself.

Slap!

"Wow!!!"

A curling shot toward the far corner from Fernandinho.

However, the ball speed was a bit too lackluster, easily pushed away by Jo Hyeon-woo.

"Oh!"