Beep!
The referee really couldn't stand watching any longer.
He blew the whistle to stop the match and called a foul against China Youth Team, finally rescuing Messi from his misery.
Messi looked like he wanted to cry but had no tears. It was as if he had suffered the ultimate humiliation; he practically wanted to die.
The other side's two Attacking Midfielders had actually used a defender-on-forward trap against him. It was simply an unbearable humiliation!
After getting back to his feet, Messi instinctively moved farther away from those two bastards, Lin Feng and Zhou Haibin.
He definitely didn't want to experience being a Roujiamo again.
Fortunately, there wasn't much time left in the first half, and the referee soon blew the whistle for halftime.
Although Argentina team was leading on the scoreboard, there wasn't the slightest smile on Messi's face, their Team Core.
Meanwhile, China Youth Team was trailing, yet the players were chatting and laughing as though they were the ones in the lead.
"Heh, these young China Youth Team players have maintained a good mentality. Against a top powerhouse like Argentina, the first thing we need to do is keep our mentality steady. We can't fall apart mentally."
When the cameras captured that scene, Huang Jianxiang hurriedly offered an explanation, afraid someone might criticize China Youth Team's youngsters.
However, he was worrying too much. Fans were extremely tolerant toward this young team that kept creating miracles and bringing them surprises.
"Heh, these lads have such a great mentality. It'd be wonderful if National Football Team players had this kind of mentality too."
"Come on. Those unreliable National Football Team guys are often stronger than their opponents, but they can never handle the pressure and always choke at the crucial moment."
"The National Football Team never disappoints when it comes to disappointing people!"
"China Youth Team is doing great like this. Keep that positive mentality and don't put too much pressure on yourselves. Play well in the second half—I don't think it's impossible for them to turn things around against Argentina!"
"Exactly. The first half proved that the gap between us and Argentina team isn't as big as we imagined. And their absolute key player is clearly having stamina issues. There's a lot of hope for the second half!"
Although the team was behind, everyone could see that Messi had looked unable to run during the final few minutes of the first half.
And without Messi, Argentina's attacking threat would be greatly reduced. The second half would be China Youth Team's time to strike back.
Inside China Youth Team's locker room, Klopp first praised the players' performance in the first half.
He especially praised their successful defense against Messi.
If the players hadn't taken the initiative to wear Messi down so heavily that his attempts at breaking through had dropped sharply, China Youth Team would probably have conceded even more goals in the first half.
But in the second half, China Youth Team would focus on offense.
"Lin Feng, you were outstanding in the first half. I'm proud of you, but your performance has definitely put Argentina team on alert.
"If nothing unexpected happens in the second half, they'll assign someone to mark you closely. They'll do everything they can to reduce your speed and deny you the chance to get moving. In that situation, what do you think you should do?"
Klopp fixed his bright eyes on Lin Feng and waited for his answer.
Lin Feng thought about what Kaka would do in such a situation.
"If they really do that, I'll find a way to shake them off. If I really can't, then I'll switch to playing off the ball and use my movement to stretch and pin down their defensive line as much as possible, creating attacking opportunities for my teammates."
Klopp nodded approvingly, very satisfied with Lin Feng's answer.
China Youth Team ran on Dual Core Drive. Even if Lin Feng was frozen out, Chen Tao could still lead the team's attacks.
And the tactics Klopp explained next were almost entirely about how the team should attack after Lin Feng was shut down.
"Chen Tao, Zhou Haibin, if they really devote a great deal of attention to defending Lin Feng in the second half,
"the pressure on you two will be greatly reduced, especially at Zhou Haibin's position.
"So in the second half, I need the two of you to step up and lead the team's attack."
Hearing the Head Coach's arrangements, Chen Tao and Zhou Haibin nodded heavily.
Zhou Haibin came from Shandong Luneng. Though he wasn't as famous as Chen Tao, he was no weaker in ability.
He had made a name for himself at a young age. Not only had he broken into Shandong Luneng's first team early, but in 2003, he had also been called up to the National Football Team by Head Coach Arie Haan, becoming the youngest international in National Football Team history.
To become the youngest international in history, Zhou Haibin naturally had plenty of ability.
He possessed excellent vision, superb technique, outstanding organizing ability, and a powerful long-range shot.
He was also physically strong, full of stamina, and capable in Physical Confrontation. He performed well at both ends of the pitch, making him a Hexagonal Warrior.
"I'll bring Dong Fangzhuo on in the second half. Dong, after you come on, use your physical gifts and strength in duels. Attack the ball aggressively. Shoot whenever you get it. Don't overthink it..."
Just as Klopp finished speaking, someone pushed open the locker room door.
Everyone's attention shifted toward the entrance. When Klopp saw who it was, he frowned slightly.
The newcomer was none other than China Youth Team's team leader, Li Feiyu.
Li Feiyu placed the case he was carrying on a bench in the locker room.
"Everyone, quiet down and listen to me!"
He raised both hands, signaling everyone to be silent.
"The Football Association leadership is very satisfied with what we've achieved at this Youth World Cup. To encourage everyone to achieve even greater glory, the higher-ups have specially approved a bonus.
"As long as you win this match, everyone—including the coaching staff and support personnel—will receive bonuses ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 yuan!"
As he spoke, he opened the case he had brought in.
Everyone in the locker room had their eyes drawn to what was inside the case.
Inside were several dozen neatly arranged bundles of hundred-yuan bills.
Seeing the cash in the case and hearing that it was meant as a reward for them, all but a few players stared wide-eyed, their eyes gleaming.
At a time when the average national salary was only 1,500 yuan, a 5,000-yuan bonus was truly no small amount.
Besides, the players certainly wouldn't receive the lowest tier of bonus. They were very likely to receive the 10,000-yuan tier.
For these young players, who had only spent a few years in the first team and had little money in their pockets, it was highly tempting.
What was more, it was an unexpected windfall.
As everyone knew, players received no salary for taking part in National Team Matches.
The Women's Football Team received somewhat larger allowances due to the Football Association's support policies, while the Men's Football Team sometimes didn't even receive allowances.
Even when there were allowances, the amounts were pitifully small.
National Football Team players received around 80 to 100 yuan a day for training allowances, while China Youth Team players received even less—under 50 yuan.
A 10,000-yuan bonus was practically equal to several years' worth of training allowances. It was no small sum.
Seeing that the bonuses had successfully stirred up the players' enthusiasm, Li Feiyu nodded in satisfaction before dropping another bombshell.
"Besides today's bonus, if you can win the Championship Trophy at this Youth World Cup, the Football Association will issue a one-time Championship Bonus of 3 million yuan. Every starter and Starting Substitute will receive between 80,000 and 100,000 yuan, while even substitutes will get 50,000 yuan."
The moment that news was announced, the players erupted in uproar.
They widened their eyes, struggling to process the shocking news.
This bonus was far greater than the previous one—higher even than many of their annual club salaries.
Even the Asian Cup Championship Trophy's prize money might not reach such a figure, right?
The size of the bonus alone showed just how seriously the Football Association took the results of this Youth World Cup.
With heavy rewards came brave men, and China Youth Team's morale had already been high.
Now, after being fiercely stimulated by money, they all seemed to have been injected with adrenaline, shouting at the top of their lungs.
They practically wanted to rush onto the pitch right then and tear the Argentinians apart.
Yet amid all that jubilant excitement, a trace of worry appeared between China Youth Team Head Coach Klopp's brows.
Before you continue