For a counter-attacking tactic, the ideal situation was to take the lead and force the opponent to commit heavily to attack. In that case, their exposed defense would become the best point to exploit.
Japan team was now in precisely such an awkward position.
To equalize, they had to throw numbers forward, but doing so would leave their own defense exposed and create opportunities for the Chinese team instead.
This mentality of wanting to attack while fearing another concession left the players from Japan hesitant and conflicted. In the end, they wanted everything, yet could grasp nothing.
In their desperation, the players from Japan's actions on the pitch grew much more aggressive.
In the 71st minute, Gao Lin pressed Konno Yasuyuki in the frontcourt. Konno had neither the height nor the physique to match him and was being pressured badly by Gao Lin.
Konno Yasuyuki was finally pushed over the edge and raised his elbow, striking Gao Lin.
Gao Lin froze for half a second before remembering that he had been elbowed. His acting instincts immediately kicked in; clutching his chest, he let out a miserable cry and collapsed onto the grass, rolling around.
Gao Lin was still too young. His experience was somewhat lacking, and his acting was a little overdone.
After falling to the ground, he actually tried to observe the referee's reaction through the gaps between his fingers, reminding Lin Feng of a certain award-winning actor from La Masia Film Academy.
Without drawing attention to himself, Lin Feng used the chance to protest to the referee to stand in front of Gao Lin, finally preventing the kid from giving himself away.
The referee had not initially noticed Japan team's foul, but upon seeing Gao Lin screaming as he went down, along with the Chinese players' repeated appeals