When the match between the China Youth Team and the German team ended, the results of the other matches had also come in.
The Japan team suffered a stoppage-time winner from Morocco in the 92nd minute, while Syria was eliminated by defending champions Brazil Team on penalties.
Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses such as Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Spain all advanced comfortably to the next round.
As a result, the China Youth Team, having pulled off an upset over the German team, became Asia's sole remaining representative.
This filled many domestic fans with immense pride. In the past, the National Football Team had always been eliminated early, leaving them only able to watch other Asian teams shine in international competitions.
Who would have thought that one day, they too would get to experience what it felt like to be the whole village's hope?
However, that joy did not last long. Once the quarterfinal opponent was revealed, National Football Team fans could no longer smile.
Because the China Youth Team's next opponent was the defending champion, Brazil Team!
After witnessing the might of Five-star Brazil at the 2002 World Cup, the word "Brazil" had practically become synonymous with football.
As the kingdom of football, Brazil football was formidable in every respect.
It was not just their senior team that was strong—their youth ranks were absurdly strong as well.
The Brazil Youth Team had won the Youth World Cup four times, the most titles of any team in the tournament's history.
The China Youth Team's best result, meanwhile, had only been a quarterfinal appearance in the Youth World Cup. Their historical pedigree was worlds apart; they were simply incomparable.
On top of that, the National Football Team's 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Brazil Team in the 2002 World Cup had carved the belief that Brazil football was invincible deep into many people's minds.
Against such a powerful opponent, the China Youth Team's hopes of advancing were indeed extremely slim.
So before the match had even begun, many fans were already sighing, as though the China Youth Team had already lost.
"Alas, the next match will probably be the China Youth Team's last battle!"
"Brazil Team again? It was you at the World Cup, and now it's you again at the Youth World Cup. Are you trying to fleece the same sheep to death?"
"This is really ridiculous. At this rate, Brazil Team is going to become our Chinese team's nemesis!"
"If we'd known we were going to run into Brazil Team, we shouldn't have fought for first place in the group stage!"
"Exactly. If we hadn't gone for first place, maybe we could have avoided Brazil Team, along with strong teams like Argentina later on."
"If they hadn't run into Brazil Team, the China Youth Team really might have had a shot at a semifinal spot. Sigh, what a pity for this China Youth Team!"
"It's fine, just treat it as experience. I'm not expecting the China Youth Team to win, but they absolutely have to play their own style and show what they can do."
"It'd be even better if they could score a goal!"
"Enough talking. I'm booking a flight right now. Whether the China Youth Team wins in the end or not, I'm going to the stadium to cheer these lads on!"
"I'm in!"
"I'm in too, +1!"
Why were National Football Team fans so lovable?
Because even though they cursed fiercely, when the time came, they truly showed up!
At China's 2005 income levels, the cost of a round-trip ticket would probably amount to more than half a year's income for many people.
The China Youth Team's coaching staff also seemed to understand that their next opponent was overwhelmingly strong and that they had little hope of winning.
So after the round of sixteen ended, Klopp waved his hand and gave the players a day off, letting them go out and relax.
Ever since they had gathered 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 went, there had to be a balance between tension and relaxation. Constantly squeezing the players dry was not a good thing.
Appropriate rest and relaxation were still necessary.
But the Football Association seemed deeply dissatisfied with Klopp's decision.
"With such a formidable enemy before us, shouldn't we be making the most of every minute to train harder and strive for a better result?
"If they want to rest, they'll have plenty of time after the Youth World Cup is over. There's no need to give them leave at a time like this."
The team leader felt that Old man Klopp was getting on in years and had become muddle-headed.
As the saying went, sharpening one's spear before battle might not make it faster, but it would at least make it shine.
It was like students facing the college entrance exams. Before the exams, they had to cram desperately and grind through practice questions. Who would go out and have fun instead?
Klopp shot him a glance and said disdainfully,
"Mr. Li, have you ever played football?"
Team Leader Li choked on those words. He was a technical official with no experience as a professional player, but he immediately retorted,
"We Chinese football do not practice one-man rule. We value democracy within the team. Everyone has the right to express their opinions and suggestions!"
Klopp nodded. "Fine. I've heard your opinions and suggestions. You may leave now!"
His attitude could not have been clearer: say whatever you wanted, but he would neither listen nor accept it.
That infuriated Team Leader Li. He immediately made a harsh threat.
"I will report today's matter truthfully to the Football Association. Hmph, let's see how much longer you can stay in the Head Coach position!"
With that, he slammed the door and left.
The members of the Chinese coaching staff looked at one another. Klopp and the Football Association had never gotten along particularly well, and today he had parted on bad terms with Team Leader Li.
This would only deepen the rift between both sides, making them all begin to worry about Klopp's position as Head Coach.
"Old Klopp, although you were recommended to the Football Association by the Baten-Bidingen base, the Football Association's three-year contract was signed with the Baten-Bidingen base. Your renewal contract can only be confirmed after the German sponsors finalize the second stage of sponsorship. If there's no sponsorship from Germany, then you may..."
One of the Chinese coaching staff, Coach Zhang Haitao, said worriedly.
Although the old German's temper was a little stubborn, a little headstrong, and he was somewhat set in his ways, never liking to heed others' advice...
The old man truly had the goods!
Having followed the old man all this way, the Chinese coaches all felt they had benefited enormously and learned a great deal.
Moreover, under Klopp's guidance, this China Youth Team had basically taken shape. It had its own distinct characteristics, and its performances on the field had been quite impressive.
There would be no problem at all using them as the foundation to build the 2008 Olympic Stars.
Especially after Old man Klopp had somehow unearthed a promising talent like Lin Feng shortly before the Youth World Cup began, everyone had become even more optimistic about this China Youth Team's future.
If this team succeeded at the 2008 Olympics, all of them would rise along with it, and their futures would become bright indeed.
So none of them wanted to leave at this point.
If Klopp really were fired by the Football Association and replaced with another coach, whether this China Youth Team could still reach such heights would be hard to say.
And if things really went wrong, wouldn't their fine dream of padding their résumés with the China Youth Team go up in smoke?
From this perspective, the members of the Chinese coaching staff were in the same trench as Klopp.
Klopp did not care in the slightest.
"I'm already this old. I should have retired long ago."
"Besides, your Football Association is so stingy, paying such a tiny salary. If it weren't for these children, I wouldn't have wanted to do this job long ago. If they want to fire me, then let them fire me. I can go home, enjoy my grandchildren, and spend my old age in peace."
After saying that, he looked utterly unconcerned. He closed his eyes and lay back in his recliner, preparing for an afternoon nap.
Seeing this, the Chinese coaches looked at one another. In the end, they could only sigh, shake their heads, and leave.
The moment they left, Klopp sprang up from the recliner.
His sharp eyes swept across the room. Once he confirmed that they were gone, he hurried to the door, shut it, and drew the curtains.
His movements were so nimble that he looked nothing like a sixty-five-year-old man!
After preparing everything, Klopp turned on the projector and began playing the Brazil Team match footage he had collected, studying it intently.
Rest?
Rest my ass!
With such a formidable enemy before him, how could he possibly sleep?
"That Li fellow was right. Sharpening one's spear before battle might not make it faster, but it would at least make it shine!"
It was never wrong to prepare more!
While everyone else drilled the players relentlessly, Klopp chose to drill himself relentlessly.
What a strange old man!
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