Encountering a Formidable Foe, Five-star Brazil

When the match between the Youth National Team and the German team ended, the results of several other matches also came in.

The Japan team was cruelly eliminated by a Game Winning Goal from Morocco in the 92nd minute, while Syria was knocked out by the defending champions, the Brazil Team, via penalties.

Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses like Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Spain all easily advanced to the next round.

Affected by this, the Youth National Team, which had pulled off an upset against the German team, became the sole remaining Asian Team in the tournament.

This made many domestic fans feel incredibly proud; in the past, the Chinese team was always eliminated early, leaving them to only watch as other Asian teams galloped across the international stage.

They never expected that one day, they would get to experience the feeling of being the hope of the entire village.

However, this joy did not last long. As the opponent for the quarter-finals was revealed, the fans of the Chinese team could no longer smile.

Because the next opponent for the Youth National Team was the defending champion, the Brazil Team!

After witnessing the might of Five-star Brazil at the 2002 World Cup, the word "Brazil" had become almost synonymous with football.

As the kingdom of football, the strength of Brazil football is comprehensive.

It is not just the senior team that is strong; the youth squads below them are also ridiculously powerful.

The Brazil Youth Team has won the Youth World Cup four times, making them the team with the most titles in the history of the tournament.

In contrast, the best result the Youth National Team has ever achieved is reaching the quarter-finals of the Youth World Cup; the historical foundations of the two sides are worlds apart, and there is simply no comparison.

Furthermore, the fact that the Chinese team was slaughtered 4-0 by the Brazil Team at the 2002 World Cup had branded the idea that Brazil football is invincible into the minds of many.

Facing such a formidable opponent, the chances of the Youth National Team advancing were indeed very slim.

Consequently, before the match had even begun, many fans were already sighing, as if the Youth National Team had already lost the game.

"Sigh, the next match will probably be the last stand for the Youth National Team!"

"Brazil Team, why is it always you? It was you at the World Cup, and it's you again at the Youth World Cup. Are you trying to fleece the same sheep to death?"

"It's truly ridiculous. If this keeps up, the Brazil Team will really become the bane of our Chinese team!"

"If we had known we would run into the Brazil Team, we shouldn't have fought so hard for that first place in the group stage!"

"Exactly, if we hadn't taken first, we might have been able to avoid the Brazil Team and other powerhouses like Argentina later on."

"If we hadn't met the Brazil Team, the Youth National Team would have had a real shot at reaching the semi-finals. Sigh, what a pity for this squad!"

"It doesn't matter, just treat it as training. I don't expect the Youth National Team to win, but as long as they play their own style and show their true strength, that's enough."

"If they could score a goal, that would be even better!"

"Enough talk, I'm going to book my flight now. Regardless of whether the Youth National Team wins or not, I'm going to the venue to cheer these young men on!"

"I'm going too!"

"Count me in!"

Why is it said that fans of the Chinese team are so lovable?

Because even though they curse harshly, when it comes to the crunch, they are truly there for the team!

Given the income levels in the country in 2005, the cost of a round-trip flight was likely equivalent to more than half a year's salary for many people.

The coaching staff of the Youth National Team seemed to know that their next opponent was powerful and that they had little hope of winning.

Therefore, after the round of 16 concluded, Klopp waved his hand and gave the players a day off to let them go out and relax.

Since they started their training camp in Germany to prepare for the Youth World Cup, the team had not had a chance to relax for a long time.

As the saying goes, there must be a balance between tension and relaxation; constantly squeezing the players is not a good thing.

A proper amount of relaxation was quite necessary.

However, the Football Association seemed very dissatisfied with this decision by Klopp.

"With a formidable enemy at the gates, shouldn't we be seizing every minute to train harder to strive for a good result?

If they want to rest, they will have plenty of time after the Youth World Cup ends; there is no need to give them a holiday at a time like this."

The team leader felt that Old man Klopp was getting old and his mind was becoming muddled.

As the saying goes, sharpening the spear just before the battle will at least make it shine.

Just like students facing the college entrance exam, they must study and drill questions desperately before the exam; how could there be any reason to go out and have fun?

Klopp glanced at him and said disdainfully:

"Mr. Li, have you ever played football?"

Team Leader Li choked upon hearing this. He was a technical official and had no experience as a professional player, but he immediately retorted:

"Our Chinese football does not tolerate one-man rule; we advocate for internal democracy, and everyone has the right to express their opinions and suggestions!"

Klopp nodded: "Very well, I have heard your opinions and suggestions. You may leave now!"

He made it clear that he had the attitude of: you can say whatever you want, but I simply won't listen or adopt it.

This made Team Leader Li so angry that he made a harsh threat on the spot:

"I will report today's events truthfully to the Football Association. Hmph, I'd like to see how much longer you can last in the position of Head Coach!"

Having said that, he slammed the door and left.

The members of the Chinese coaching staff looked at each other in dismay; Klopp had never been on good terms with the Football Association, and today's unpleasant fallout with Team Leader Li only made matters worse.

This would only further deepen the rift between the two sides, making them all begin to worry about Klopp's position as head coach.

"Klopp, although you were recommended to the Football Association by the Baten-Bidingen base, the three-year contract is signed with the Baten-Bidingen base. Your renewal contract can only be confirmed after the German sponsors finalize the second phase of funding. If the German side doesn't provide the sponsorship, I'm afraid you..."

One of the members of the Chinese coaching staff, Coach Zhang Haitao, said with a worried expression.

Although the German old man's temper was a bit stubborn, obstinate, and he was a bit set in his ways, not liking to listen to others' advice.

But this old man really had substance!

Having followed this old man along the way, the Chinese coaches all felt they had benefited immensely and learned a great deal.

Moreover, under Klopp's guidance, this national youth team had basically coalesced into shape, possessing its own distinct characteristics, and their performance on the field was quite commendable.

Using them as a foundation to build the 2008 Olympic Stars in the future was absolutely no problem at all.

Especially after Klopp, this old man, dug up a good talent like Lin Feng from somewhere just before the Youth World Cup began, everyone became even more optimistic about the future of this national youth team.

Once this team achieved success at the 2008 Olympics, all of them would rise along with it, and their future prospects would become bright.

Therefore, no one wanted to quit at this time.

If Klopp were really fired by the Football Association and replaced by another coach, it would be hard to say whether this national youth team could still reach such heights.

If things were really messed up, wouldn't their beautiful wish of using the national youth team to gild their resumes and pad their experience go down the drain?

From this perspective, these members of the Chinese coaching staff were in the same trench as Klopp.

Klopp didn't care:

"I'm at this age; I should have retired long ago."

"Besides, your Football Association is so stingy, offering such a low salary. If it weren't for these kids, I wouldn't have wanted to do this a long time ago. If they want to fire me, let them fire me. It would be just right to go back, enjoy time with my grandchildren, and live out my remaining years in peace."

After speaking, he assumed a completely indifferent posture, closed his eyes, and lay on the recliner, preparing for a nap.

Seeing this, the several Chinese coaches looked at each other, and in the end, could only sigh and shake their heads as they left.

As soon as they left, Klopp immediately jumped up from the recliner.

His gaze swept sharply around the room, and after confirming that they had left, he walked quickly to the door to close it and pulled the curtains shut.

His movements were so agile that he didn't look like a 65-year-old man at all!

After getting everything ready, Klopp turned on the projector and began playing the game footage of the Brazil Team he had collected, studying it intently.

Rest?

Rest my foot!

With a formidable enemy at the gates, how could he possibly sleep!

"That man surnamed Li was right: even if you only sharpen your spear right before the battle, it will still shine!"

Being more prepared was never a bad thing!

While others were busy drilling the Player hard, Klopp chose to drill himself hard instead.

What a strange old man!