Take Down the First Bout

The paramount state of defensive counterattack was to play for eighty-nine minutes and fifty seconds under pressure from the opponent, to be totally battered during this period, constantly facing danger, looked like the goal would be conceded at any time and completely at an overall disadvantage whether in terms of the situation or technical statistics. But...

The "but" was the essence of the defensive counterattack.

But one would not concede the goal. Then one would fight back in the last ten seconds and launch a sneak attack to set the score at 1:0. Victory was secured.

Therefore, the defensive counterattack was always linked with the "doctrine of 1:0" and "conservative play" and was considered to be the representative of ugly football. It was the main target of the fans' hatred and critics' disdain.

But Twain liked it. Because it could bring victory to him.

　　※※※