Chapter 902: Klinsmann: Even Jordan Loses

The Seoul News, front page headline — South Korea’s new head coach, Klinsmann, is German; fans fear he may become the team’s weak point.

“South Korea hopes for an upset victory over China to advance to the semifinals, but their coach’s German nationality has caused concern. To date, Tang Ye remains undefeated against Bayern and the German national team.”

It is widely known that Tang Ye has a German assassin identity, causing many German fans to feel intense fear whenever facing the Chinese team.

At this critical stage of the Asian Cup, South Korea faces the title favorite China, with their own head coach being German — they’ve stacked every possible buff.

But from another perspective:

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

“Germans are terrified of China; they fear every player from China.”

At the pre-match press conference, Klinsmann appeared deeply disheartened: “I once felt this fear myself, but after reviewing the data, I found that in the past five years, China and Germany have only played twice. Although we never beat China, China has only beaten us once.”

“The sample size is too small. After confirming this, I no longer feel anxious.”

“German fans have no reason to be anxious. Football ultimately depends on strength; curses and so-called ‘mysticism’ cannot hold forever. Tang Ye is the best player — I certainly acknowledge that — but even the best player cannot win every match.”

“Even Jordan loses.”

Click-click!

……

Forwarded: Starting lineup for China-Korea match revealed: South Korea 4-2-3-1, Son Heung-min plays as attacking midfielder against Tang Ye, Jiang Guangtai vs Kim Min-jae, Dai Weijun on the bench.

Klinsmann: Tang Ye is the greatest of all time, but even the greatest cannot win every match — like Jordan.

【The Koreans are barking again】

【Fun fact: Klinsmann isn’t Korean — he’s German, and previously coached Bayern】

【Coached Bayern? No wonder — I knew this guy had it in for my Tang, the King of Football. Don’t you know the value of my 20-21 Dortmund Champions League run?】

【Why is Dai Weijun still on the bench? Give him a start, Coach!】

【Failed to stake out Tang Ye at the venue, but ran into Qing Shu — I’ve proven Qing Shu looks better offline than online (.jpg)】

“China Central Television! This is live coverage of the 2023 Asian Cup quarterfinal, hosted by China’s men’s national team against South Korea’s men’s national team!”

“The players from both sides are ready!”

Tang Ye and Son Heung-min stood at the front of their respective lines, left and right, shaking hands and embracing.

Both are Premier League players, so they know each other well.

“Say hello to Harry for me.”

“Haha.”

Son Heung-min’s remark caught Tang Ye off guard — he laughed: “Harry talks about you all the time.”

“Perhaps I should apologize on behalf of Manchester United — Tottenham lost a great striker.”

“Sigh.”

Son Heung-min smiled beside him, placing a hand on Tang Ye’s back as both captains led their teams onto the pitch.

“China!”

“Ten thousand years!”

“China!”

“Ten thousand years!”

“Tang Ye is awesome!”

That’s how home games are — at least 95% of the workers’ stadium are Chinese fans, leaving no room for any other nation’s supporters.

The South Korean delegation of fewer than a thousand players huddled in the away section, surrounded and protected by a group of university volunteers.

I wonder if any of these volunteers are Tang Ye’s seniors or juniors?

“Beep!”

“The match has begun!”

“……”

South Korea (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Cho Hyun-woo

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

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

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

Head coach: Klinsmann

South Korea’s starting formation is identical to China’s — exactly the same.

But the difference between Xi Shi and Dong Shi is stark — no formation can bridge it.

South Korea’s starting eleven has a combined market value of barely 170 million euros — less than half of China’s!

“Go, Tang Ye!”

South Korea played conservatively from the start — Hwang Hee-chan received the ball on the flank but didn’t launch an immediate attack, frustrating Chinese fans.

So Klinsmann is a liar, then?

Where’s your bravado about not fearing China?

“Hwang Hee-chan… isn’t he moving?”

“Oh, he’s waiting for Hwang In-beom on the left!”

Once his teammate reached the right position, Hwang Hee-chan passed — Hwang In-beom immediately surged forward with determination.

Midfielders and right-side teammates reacted quickly, accelerating to support!

It’s up to Zhang Linpeng now!

Zhang Linpeng slowly retreated; Zhang Xizhe moved in beside him.

A 1-on-2 on the flank is difficult — Hwang Hee-chan probably won’t…

Slap!

“Oh!!!”

The crowd gasped — Hwang Hee-chan used his speed to overpower Zhang Xizhe; Zhang Linpeng, out of position, could do nothing.

Trouble coming!

Slap!

Hwang Hee-chan passes to Lee Kang-in!

Then to Son Heung-min!

Boom!

Son Heung-min’s shot and Zhu Chenjie’s block happened almost simultaneously — luckily, Zhu Chenjie’s block succeeded.

Wow!

That was close!

Although South Korea dominated possession, when real chances came, they still capitalized.

Tang Ye signaled to Zhang Xizhe and Hao Junmin, urging focus: “Watch their flanks.”

8th minute.

Boom!

Zhang Yuning headed a shot off the crossbar; about a minute later, the broadcast camera panned to the away section — a familiar face appeared on screen.

“That’s…”

“That’s Lee Sang-hyeok, the Korean esports pro from T1 — nobody expected Faker to show up today.”

Zhan Jun activated his facial recognition system; at that moment, Faker gave a thumbs-up to the camera.

Not just Faker — other T1 players like Zeus, Oner, and Gumayusi were also present.

“T1’s sponsor, Asia Bank, is also South Korea’s national team sponsor — they were likely invited by the sponsor to attend the match.”

“Yes, it seems South Korea is very confident in their team — perhaps they believe they can beat China away from home?”

“Hmm… objectively possible, but I don’t think it’s easy.”

T1’s on-site support for South Korea’s men’s team was seen as a sponsorship move.

Indeed, T1’s presence was due to Asia Bank’s invitation — but Zhan Jun misjudged the reason Asia Bank invited T1.

Rather than cheering for South Korea, Faker and the others came to contain Tang Ye.

Back in 2017, the Korean media ESK published an article: a Manchester United player, newly signed for 200 million euros, faced Faker in a ranked League of Legends match and was single-handedly killed five times, finishing with a 1/8/5 KDA.

Notably, after that ranked match, the Manchester United player’s rank dropped from Master to Grandmaster.

So who was that Manchester United player?

Hard to guess, right?

……

“Hyuk-ah, let’s take down Tang Ye!”

South Korean fans shouted.

The incident of Tang Ye being crushed by Faker in League of Legends ranked matches was wildly popular in Korea — almost everyone knew it.

Dongqiu Di real-time report: Camera focuses on the stands — Faker is watching live, supporting South Korea, seemingly aiming to suppress Tang Ye?

21st minute.

Currently, China holds a slight advantage — Tang Ye and Wu Lei have linked up brilliantly, generating high possession.

“Come on!”

Slap!

He played a direct pass to Wu Lei, who cut inside; after the pass, Tang Ye sprinted to the right flank to cover his position.

“Watch the flanks!”

Klinsmann knew this crossing run pattern all too well—he would never let Wu Lei and Tang Ye create any chance to combine.

Wu Lei tried to pass, but found Huang Xican backtracking to block Tang Ye’s line—he had no choice but to pass the ball to Zhang Yuning.

Thud!

Someone bumped into him from behind, but Zhang Yuning still passed the ball to Fernando.

Fernando cut inside, adjusted one step, and prepared himself.

Snap!

“Wow!!!”

A long-range curling shot from Fernando.

But the shot was too slow—Zhao Xianyou easily punched it away.

“Oh!”