Chapter Summaries

Klopp appointed Lin Feng captain of the Olympic team, and Lin Feng won Li Weifeng’s acceptance by beating him repeatedly in one-on-one challenges. In the team’s first warm-up match, Uruguay defeated the Olympic team 3–1, leaving Lin Feng concerned about Feng Xiaoting’s poor performance.

• Klopp warned Lin Feng not to let dating affect his form, then named him captain and Zheng Zhi vice-captain of the Olympic team.
• Li Weifeng challenged Lin Feng to one-on-one contests, conceded after repeated defeats, and promised to support Lin Feng as captain.
• Lin Feng wore the captain’s armband against Uruguay U23 as the Olympic team played its first warm-up match.
• Suárez and Cavani led Uruguay to a 3–1 win after the Olympic team conceded several goals in the second half.
• Lin Feng sought out Feng Xiaoting after the match because Feng’s performance had fallen well below his usual level.

Lin Feng reassured Feng Xiaoting that Guardiola valued his passing and would keep him at Barcelona, while Barcelona planned its summer transfers. The Olympic team then beat Cameroon 3-0, leaving Lin Feng and Alexandre Song exchanging praise and hopes for the Games.

• Feng Xiaoting told Lin Feng he feared Guardiola would remove him from Barcelona, and Lin Feng advised him to build on his passing rather than worry about his weaknesses.
• Guardiola rejected Barcelona management's suggestion to sell Feng Xiaoting and said he could start at center back if the club could not sign a better option.
• Barcelona's sporting director Begiristain traveled to Austria to scout transfer targets, including forwards and defenders, while Guardiola sought a center back with strong passing.
• Feng Xiaoting took Lin Feng's advice and focused on improving his passing, while Lin discouraged him from gaining weight to compensate for weak physicality.
• Lin Feng scored and assisted as the Olympic team defeated Cameroon 3-0, with Gao Lin and Dong Fangzhuo also scoring.
• Alexandre Song praised Lin Feng and exchanged shirts with him, and Lin urged Cameroon to beat South Korea at the Olympics.

The Olympic team beat Vietnam 4–1 in its final warm-up match, with Gao Lin scoring twice and Lin Feng setting up both goals. After the camp, Klopp prepared for another training session demanded by officials, while recognizing the coming shortage of Chinese football talent and planning to retire after the Olympics.

• Klopp felt reassured when Feng Xiaoting improved in the second warm-up match, then brought the Olympic team to Shenyang to face Vietnam.
• Lin Feng assisted Gao Lin’s opening goal in the 22nd minute, and the two discussed Gao Lin’s prospects at Borussia Dortmund.
• Lin Feng set up Gao Lin again for a second goal, Vietnam scored a penalty, and a Vietnamese defender accidentally headed the ball into his own net.
• Sun Jihai crossed for Zhou Haibin to score in the 86th minute as the Olympic team defeated Vietnam 4–1.
• The Football Association required Klopp to hold another training camp in July, and he accepted while planning to retire after the Olympics.

After France’s shocking European Championship elimination intensified comparisons between Lin Feng and Zidane, Lin Feng rejected the label and returned to a Chinese national team under immense pressure to win its World Cup qualifier against Qatar. The Chinese team started brightly, and Han Peng scored from Lin Feng’s pass in the seventh minute to give them an early lead.

• France lost to Italy and finished bottom of its European Championship group, prompting criticism of Domenech and comparisons between Lin Feng and Zidane.
• Lin Feng said he respected Zidane but wanted to be recognized as himself rather than as Zidane’s successor.
• Zhu Guanghu warned the Chinese team that it needed a win against Qatar to keep control of its World Cup qualifying hopes, while the players drew encouragement from the fans supporting them at training.
• Zhang Jilong announced that he would attend the match, easing the Chinese team’s worries about unfair treatment away from home.
• China and Qatar traded attacks from the opening minutes, and Feng Xiaoting intercepted a Qatar move before passing to Lin Feng, who sent Han Peng through on goal.
• Han Peng controlled Lin Feng’s lofted pass with his chest and volleyed it into the net in the seventh minute, putting China ahead.

Lin Feng led the National Football Team to a dominant 6–0 away victory over Qatar, scoring a hat trick and putting China in a strong position to qualify. Qatar’s supporters were left stunned by the defeat, while Lin Feng’s performance even won over some of the home crowd.

• Han Peng opened the scoring, then Chen Tao made it 2–0 in the 15th minute after Sun Xiang crossed and Han Peng laid the ball back.
• Lin Feng set up Gao Lin on the wing, then scored from Han Peng’s layoff to give China a 3–0 lead before the twentieth minute.
• China controlled possession for the rest of the first half, while Qatar managed only two shots, both off target.
• Lin Feng won and converted a penalty in the 55th minute to extend China’s lead to 4–0.
• Lin Feng dribbled past several defenders and scored again in the 61st minute, completing his hat trick as Qatar’s fans cheered him.
• Zhu Guanghu substituted Lin Feng, and China’s substitutes continued attacking until the National Football Team finished with a 6–0 victory.

After routing Qatar 6–0 away, the National Football Team returned to China and prepared for the home rematch amid a packed stadium and tight schedule. The match began with Qatar attacking, but the young Chinese lineup countered immediately and nearly scored through Gao Lin.

• The National Football Team’s victory over Qatar restored confidence and improved its qualification prospects, while fans warned the team not to underestimate its remaining opponents.
• The team flew home overnight, rested, and began recovery training before traveling to Tianjin for the match at Water Drop Stadium.
• Zhu Guanghu chose a cautious counterattacking approach and fielded a youthful lineup, with Lin Feng starting and Gao Lin leading the attack.
• More than 70,000 fans filled Water Drop Stadium and created a rousing atmosphere before the Chinese team’s match against Qatar kicked off.
• Qatar attacked in the opening minute, but Sun Xiang intercepted a cross and the Chinese team countered, with Gao Lin’s shot striking the goalkeeper and going out for a corner.

China defeated Qatar at home, with Lin Feng scoring twice and leading the team to a 3–0 win. The result secured China’s qualification and put them on course to overtake Australia for first place in the group.

• Hao Junmin and Lin Feng sparked China’s early attacks, while Zhou Haibin struck the post; Du Wei later stopped a dangerous Qatar counterattack with a tactical foul and received a yellow card.
• Song Zhenyu launched a long ball that began a passing combination between Zhou Haibin and Lin Feng, who beat Qatar’s goalkeeper and defenders to score China’s opening goal.
• China shifted to counterattacks after taking the lead, and Cui Peng scored in the 38th minute to make it 2–0.
• Obaid pulled Lin Feng down in the penalty area in the 67th minute, and Lin Feng converted the penalty to complete his brace before Zhu Guanghu substituted him off.
• China celebrated a 3–0 victory, while news that Iraq were leading Australia left China poised to take first place in the group.

The Chinese team prepared for its crucial World Cup qualifier against Iraq, rejecting a cautious approach despite needing only a draw to advance. The match began with Iraq attacking first, but China pressed aggressively and Lin Feng set up a dangerous move for Han Peng.

• Iraq’s upset win over Australia left all four Group A teams with a chance to qualify, while fans calculated the narrow scenarios in which China could still be eliminated.
• Zhu Guanghu gave the Chinese players a day off, and Lin Feng and his teammates rode the Beijing–Tianjin high-speed rail to visit Olympic venues in Beijing.
• Zhu Guanghu and his staff decided China would attack Iraq rather than play for a draw, while Iraq, Qatar, and Australia all watched the result closely.
• Iraq’s Younis threatened China’s goal in the first minute, but Song Zhenyu saved his shot before China counterattacked through Lin Feng and Sun Xiang.
• China’s midfield press disrupted Iraq’s possession, and Lin Feng helped dispossess Hawar before combining with Chen Tao and Hao Junmin to create an opening for Han Peng.

The National Football Team overwhelmed Iraq 4–1 after scoring three goals early, with Lin Feng, Han Peng, and Gao Lin leading the attack. The win secured the team’s qualification from the group with one round remaining, setting up a contest with Australia for first place.

• Lin Feng set up Han Peng for an early goal, and the referee later confirmed Han Peng’s disputed second goal after reviewing the replay.
• Iraq’s Younis suffered a thigh strain and left the match, while Zheng Zhi and the National Football Team’s defense stopped Iraq’s attacks.
• Lin Feng scored from an indirect free kick after Iraq’s goalkeeper handled a teammate’s back-pass, making it 3–0.
• The National Football Team made several substitutions, and Gao Lin scored a penalty shortly after coming on while Iraq added a late consolation goal.
• The National Football Team won 4–1, reached 11 points, and secured group qualification before traveling to face Australia for first place.

After China defeated Iraq and qualified for the next round, Zhu Guanghu and Australia's Pim Verbeek prepared for their final Group A match, with Verbeek struggling to find a way to contain Lin Feng. China took the lead against Australia when Gao Lin scored from a fortunate rebound.

• Iraq's players remained on the pitch grieving their World Cup elimination as Chinese fans applauded them.
• Lin Feng was named Best Player of the Match after scoring once and assisting twice, while China and Australia both secured early qualification from Group A.
• Zhu Guanghu planned to test a mobile, short-passing approach against Australia, while Pim Verbeek concluded that containing Lin Feng directly was nearly impossible and decided to target his teammates.
• China and Australia fielded their strongest lineups for their final group match in Sydney, where both coaches praised their opponents before kickoff.
• China attacked confidently, and in the 11th minute Lin Feng's cross deflected off Australian players and fell to Gao Lin, who poked the ball into the net.

The Chinese team held a 1–0 lead over Australia as Lin Feng helped them manage the press and control the tempo. After goalkeeper Zeng Cheng replaced the injured Song Zhenyu and made several crucial saves, his quick counterattack helped set up Gao Lin’s breakaway, which ended with a red card and a penalty for China.

• Gao Lin scored from a rebound to put the Chinese team ahead, and Australia increased its attacks.
• Lin Feng directed his teammates through Australia's press, while the Chinese team kept possession and thwarted an indirect free kick.
• Australia attacked more aggressively after halftime, but the Chinese team repeatedly countered against its exposed defense.
• Song Zhenyu left injured in the 73rd minute, and Zeng Cheng came on to make a series of composed saves.
• In the 82nd minute, Zeng Cheng launched a counterattack that Lin Feng passed through to Gao Lin, but Zadkovich fouled Gao Lin in the penalty area.
• The referee sent Zadkovich off and awarded the Chinese team a penalty, drawing loud boos from the Australian crowd.

The Chinese team defeated Australia team 3-0 to finish its World Cup Qualifiers group-stage matches, while Gao Lin’s injury threatened to keep him out of the Olympic Games group stage. After Australia team complained about Lin Feng’s stutter-step Penalty Kick, FIFA issued a new rule banning pauses during the shooting motion.

• Gao Lin was carried off injured, and Zhu Guanghu sent on Han Peng while keeping Dong Fangzhuo on the bench to protect the Olympic team’s remaining forwards.
• Lin Feng scored a Penalty Kick to put the Chinese team 2-0 ahead, and Australia team’s players complained that his technique broke the rules.
• Australia team missed several late chances, then Lin Feng launched a counterattack that ended with Hao Junmin scoring the third goal in stoppage time.
• Verbeek praised the Chinese team and Lin Feng after the 3-0 defeat, while Gao Lin learned that his soft-tissue injury could keep him out for two or three weeks.
• The Chinese team disbanded after completing its qualifying matches, and FIFA announced that players could no longer pause during a Penalty Kick’s shooting motion after the run-up.

Lin Feng attended the Beijing Olympics delegation’s mobilization meeting alongside Liu Xiang and Yao Ming, then joined the Olympic football team as it assembled and traveled to Shenyang. The team entered closed management at its Olympic Village hotel, leaving its players to prepare under strict rules and mounting pressure.

• FIFA announced rule changes after Lin Feng laughed off its targeting, and the National Football Team disbanded for a short break before the Olympics.
• At the delegation meeting, Lin Feng stood with Yao Ming and Liu Xiang, discussed Olympic schedules and tickets with them, and checked on Liu Xiang’s old injury.
• Lin Feng met athletes from several sports as the three prominent representatives drew attention at the meeting.
• The Olympic football team assembled, trained for three days at Xianghe Base, and traveled to Shenyang to move into its Olympic Village hotel.
• The team manager imposed closed management, curfews, and strict penalties for unauthorized departures as the Olympics approached.

As the Olympic team prepared in Shenyang, Lin Feng helped publicize South Korea’s opening-ceremony rehearsal leak, which led the IOC to revoke broadcasting rights. The Chinese delegation selected Lin Feng as its flag bearer, and Yao Ming realized he would be the youngest in Chinese Olympic history.

• Lin Feng roomed with Hao Junmin as the Olympic team settled into Shenyang and began training for its group-stage matches.
• Lin Feng reposted news of South Korea’s leaked rehearsal footage, helping draw international attention that preceded the IOC’s broadcasting sanctions.
• Chinese delegation leaders debated whether Yao Ming, Liu Xiang, or Lin Feng should carry the flag, then chose Lin Feng after the Football Association persuaded other associations to support him.
• Lin Feng was surprised by the selection, and Yao Ming advised him on carrying the flag at the opening ceremony.
• Yao Ming realized that twenty-year-old Lin Feng would be the youngest flag bearer in Chinese Olympic history.

Lin Feng and the Chinese Olympic team prepared for their opening match against New Zealand, with Klopp easing the squad’s nerves before kickoff. After a huge crowd watched the teams enter the pitch and sing the national anthem, Lin Feng rallied his teammates as the match began.

• Lin Feng’s selection as China’s Olympic flag bearer sparked public debate, though most supporters backed him.
• The Olympic team defeated Liaoning FC 3:1 in a short warm-up match before facing New Zealand in the group stage.
• Klopp eased the players’ tension by joking about his own nerves and reminding them that New Zealand would fear facing Lin Feng and the Chinese attack.
• Lin Feng promised to lead the team to victory and agreed to look for chances to pass to Dong Fangzhuo.
• China’s women’s team beat Sweden 2:1, and the men’s opening match drew a packed crowd and extensive global coverage.
• Lin Feng chose the side with the sun at China’s backs, rallied his teammates, and the referee started the match at 17:00.

China dominated New Zealand in the opening match of the Beijing Olympics, and Lin Feng won and scored a penalty to give China a 1:0 lead. His goal ended the Chinese team’s history of never scoring at the Olympic Games.

• Zhan Jun introduced China’s overseas-based starting lineup, which included Lin Feng, Dong Fangzhuo, and several players from major European clubs.
• China pressed New Zealand aggressively, and Dong Fangzhuo struck the crossbar with a header from Lin Feng’s free kick.
• Sun Jihai led a counterattack and crossed for Dong Fangzhuo, whose sliding shot was blocked by the goalkeeper.
• Lin Feng reassured his teammates and used a short corner with Chen Tao to drive into the penalty area, where a defender fouled him.
• Lin Feng took the resulting penalty and scored into the top corner, putting China ahead 1:0 and ending its Olympic scoring drought.

Lin Feng led China to a dominant first-half performance against New Zealand, scoring a hat trick as the Olympic team surged ahead 4–0. The chapter left China celebrating Lin Feng’s historic Olympic hat trick while New Zealand struggled to recover.

• After Lin Feng scored a penalty, China broke free of its nerves and took control of the match.
• Chen Tao passed the ball across the field from a corner routine, and Zheng Zhi scored to put China 2–0 ahead.
• Lin Feng scored from a direct free kick, extending China’s lead to 3–0 and celebrating with a knee slide.
• New Zealand threatened from a throw-in, but Li Weifeng cleared the ball and Lin Feng sprinted nearly fifty meters to keep it in play.
• Lin Feng dribbled past New Zealand’s defenders and goalkeeper to score his third goal, making it 4–0 and earning China’s first Olympic hat trick.
• Li Weifeng joked that his clearance counted as an assist, and Lin Feng backed him up as their teammates teased them.

China beat New Zealand 6–0 in its Olympic opener, earning the first Olympic victory in the National Football Team’s history and moving temporarily above Brazil atop Group C on goal difference. As China looked ahead to Brazil, the Brazil Team defeated Belgium 1–0, leaving China at the top of the group.

• Zhang Peimeng praised Lin Feng’s speed to Hu Kai, and Lao Yi suggested inviting Lin Feng to their training base for a timed sprint.
• Lin Feng assisted Dong Fangzhuo’s goal to make it 5–0, then Klopp substituted him after Alder’s dangerous foul.
• Zhou Haibin and Hao Junmin combined for China’s sixth goal, and Alder received a second yellow card and was sent off.
• China held on for a 6–0 win, its first Olympic victory, and celebrated with the fans after the final whistle.
• Marcelo warned the Brazil Team not to underestimate China, while Anderson and Pato dismissed the threat; Belgium reconsidered its approach to the group.
• Brazil beat Belgium 1–0, leaving China temporarily top of Group C ahead of Brazil on goal difference.

After the Chinese Olympic football team celebrated its opening-match win, Lin Feng reviewed the other groups’ results and traveled to Beijing for the Olympic Games opening ceremony. There, he learned that he had been selected as one of the ceremony’s flag bearers.

• Gao Lin announced that Belgium had lost to Brazil Team and Kompany and Fellaini had been sent off, but Lin Feng noted that both would be eligible to play against the Chinese team in the final round.
• Lin Feng called Liu Yifei from the bathroom after reading her congratulatory message, while his teammate Hao Junmin wondered why he had gone to shower again.
• The next morning, Lin Feng read about the other groups’ matches, including Argentina’s narrow win over Ivory Coast and Nigeria team’s draw with Netherlands team.
• The Olympic team held a light training session, flew to Beijing, and traveled through the city as the Olympic Games drew near.
• Lin Feng told Liu Xiang that the Chinese team would face Brazil Team by sticking to its own game rather than relying only on defense.
• A staff member told Lin Feng that he was one of the flag bearers for the opening ceremony and asked him to discuss the arrangements.

Lin Feng carried the Chinese national flag into the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony and walked alongside Lin Hao, the young earthquake hero. He spotted Liu Yifei in the stands and blew her a kiss as the delegation entered the Bird's Nest.

• Lin Feng waited with the other athletes and flirted with Liu Yifei by text while they watched the opening ceremony from separate areas.
• Liu Yifei sent Lin Feng a selfie so he could identify her in the stands, and he used embarrassing photos to persuade her to send a clearer one.
• Staff gave Lin Feng the national flag and instructed him to wait for the Chinese delegation's entrance.
• The production crew struggled to bring Lin Hao to the entrance, but Lin Feng waited and then walked into the stadium holding the boy's hand.
• The announcer introduced Lin Hao's bravery during the Sichuan earthquake, and the audience applauded as Lin Feng led the delegation around the stadium.
• Lin Feng waved and blew a kiss toward Liu Yifei, who felt excited and nervous in the stands.