Chapter 1 The Rise Of Chinese Stars In The World Youth Championship, Making It To The Semi-Finals?
"Zhong CCTV! Zhong CCTV!"
"We're live at the 19th FIFA U20 World Cup knockout stage, bringing you the semi-final between the National Youth Team and the South Korean U20 team!"
"This year's World Youth Championship in Turkey has seen our country's U20 team emerge as the biggest dark horse of the tournament!"
CCTV commentator Shen Fangjian sat in the live commentary seat at Trabzonspor's stadium in Turkey, his excitement palpable.
Just a month ago, the senior national team played a home game in Luzhou and suffered a humiliating 1-5 defeat to the third-rate Asian team, Thailand, becoming a laughingstock across Asia. General Fan's exasperated comment, "I don't even want to lose my face," became infamous, marking a dark moment for national football.
Shen Fangjian never imagined that ten years later, General Fan's interview would become a meme on the internet. The national team not only failed to recover but fell even further into disgrace.
Amidst widespread disappointment with the national football team, no one expected the U20 national youth team to bring hope at the World Youth Championship in Turkey!
Miraculously, the National Youth Team broke through to the main stage of the championship, despite being placed in the "group of death"—Group C—alongside formidable teams like Colombia, Mexico, and the host nation, Turkey.
Everyone predicted that the national youth team would suffer three straight losses in the group stage.
But to everyone's surprise, the national youth team started an incredible counterattack, defeating powerful opponents from the Americas and Europe!
In their first match against Colombia, trailing 0-1, the National Youth Team scored two goals in the 80th minute, achieving a 2-1 victory over the South American powerhouse that had eliminated teams like Brazil and Argentina!
The media in China erupted with praise, though some skeptics dismissed it as mere luck. The national youth forward, Su Luo, scored twice, both spectacular long-range goals outside the penalty area. Critics scoffed, "Pure luck!"
Given the national team's habitual disappointments, it seemed impossible for them to suddenly improve.
However, the second match was even more astonishing!
Facing North American stronghold Mexico, the national youth team won again! In the last minute of stoppage time, Su Luo, wearing the number 9 jersey, scored an unbelievable zero-angle volley, securing a victory and shocking everyone!
After defeating the American giants, the national youth team drew global attention. Could this once-overlooked underdog topple titans?
Particularly captivating was Su Luo, who had scored three goals. Fans were eager to see what he would do next.
Unfortunately, in the third match, the national youth team lost their momentum, succumbing 0-3 to the host team, Turkey. Fans criticized the team harshly, claiming the first two victories were just flukes. Remarkably, Su Luo was benched for the entire match. When asked about it, the coach, Jankovic, cryptically stated it was a management decision.
Despite finishing second in their group, the national youth team faced the formidable Spain in the quarter-finals, the favorites to win the championship.
Spain's U20 team boasted future stars: Real Madrid's "New Ronaldo" Jesse, Manchester United's David de Gea, Real Madrid's right-back Carvajal, Atletico Madrid's Koke, La Masia's Thiago, and others like Isco, Rodrigo, Morata, and Tello. In stark contrast, only Xu Xin from the National Youth Team was training at Atletico Madrid.
With such a disparity in strength, the world expected Spain to trounce the National Youth Team.
"I think Spain will win 5-0."
"Maybe 8-0!"
"Conservatively, 3-0."
"4-1, no doubt."
It seemed the National Youth Team's fate was sealed.
Yet, the quarter-finals stunned everyone! Spain drew 3-3 with the National Youth Team in 90 minutes! Even stars like Morata, Thiago, and Koke were baffled. Spanish legends Xavi and Iniesta, commentating, were incredulous.
Xavi: "I can't understand this game. What magic does this Eastern team have?"
The brightest star was still number 9, Su Luo, who returned after his mysterious benching to score a hat trick! Every time Spain scored, he equalized, dragging the game into overtime.
In overtime, despite being down to ten players and trailing 3-4, the National Youth Team scored twice in the last minute of stoppage time, achieving a miraculous 5-4 victory over Spain!
The world was in shock!
Su Luo, with four goals and one assist, became the shining star of the World Youth Championship, delivering a performance of divine caliber. Thanks to him, the National Youth Team miraculously advanced to the semi-finals to face their old rivals, South Korea.
Could the 40-year "Koreaphobia" be cured today?
Commentator Shen Fangjian snapped out of his reverie, his eyes fixed on the players. At the back of the team was Su Luo, tall, slender, and stern-faced—the star of the National Youth League.
Would he break the "Koreaphobia" curse?
As the camera zoomed in on the two key figures, Son Heung-min, the overage player in the South Korean U20 team, and Su Luo, Shen Fangjian noticed that Su Luo didn't seem excited.
In fact, Su Luo was pondering an important question as the camera focused on him.
"Could going to the nightclub last night affect my performance today?"
"If I had known I'd be reborn, I wouldn't have chosen football."
"Whatever, it's South Korea. Even if I'm not at my best, I have to crush them!"
"Damn it!"
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