Chapter 1 The Beginning

Having secured the six-time championship, Fiorentina had no more desires. In the final round of the league, they sent a substitute lineup to face Lecce, but Zhang Jun still started. Commentators and fans alike didn't understand why Zhang Jun was starting at this point—shouldn't he be resting?

It wasn't until Zhang Jun scored a goal in the last minute of the first half that everyone understood…

"Thirty-sixth goal! Zhang Jun has equaled his goal record from last season! From the 2006-07 season to the 2010-11 season, in just five seasons, Zhang Jun has scored one hundred and fifty-four league goals! The goal of two hundred goals is just around the corner! He is the most efficient scorer in Serie A history and the most terrifying killer!"

After halftime, Zhang Jun was substituted off, his season over. He needed to conserve more energy for the Asian Cup this summer and Fiorentina's Asian tour. Since the World Cup, he had had two busy summers in a row, and it had been a long time since he had tasted complete relaxation.

Even if he wanted to, he couldn't. He was the captain, the star everyone was watching; he had a responsibility on his shoulders and had to keep going.

When the referee blew the whistle to end the game, he stood up and celebrated the successful end of the season with his teammates—completely undefeated! Fiorentina's record continued, and those teams that wanted to break it would have to wait until next season.

Today was May 31, 2011. Fiorentina had perfectly ended the season, and they had become the most popular, most famous, and most influential team in the world. And Captain Zhang Jun was being watched by countless people. It was no exaggeration to say that even if he took Sophie to Israel for a vacation, the war there would stop.

Zhang Jun had less than a month to rest. For most of June, he could relax and not think about anything. Starting at the end of June, he would be busy with filming commercials, signing new commercial contracts, and renewing contracts with famous companies. Hua Fang had found him a new contract: The world-renowned luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton announced that Zhang Jun would be their brand ambassador, offering a ten-year contract worth a total of one hundred million euros. Considering that Zhang Jun might retire in a few years, this could be considered a lifetime contract. The Ritz-Carlton was one of the most famous luxury hotels in the world, and Hua Fang had planned their huge investment in signing Zhang Jun as their spokesperson. As part of the contract, the Ritz-Carlton also provided Zhang Jun and his family with a luxurious presidential suite, which they could stay in at any time for ten years until the contract expired. The standard room at the Ritz-Carlton cost 7600 RMB per night, so they were really going all out this time. Zhang Jun's commercial value was too great; if they didn't act quickly, someone else would snatch him up.

In addition, Nike also offered Zhang Jun a five-year contract worth a total of twenty-five million euros. The "Z11" series of sports products, named after Zhang Jun and his number, were successfully produced and sold with Nike's help. This brand belonged to Nike for five years, and after five years, Zhang Jun would own it privately. Even if he retired, he wouldn't have to worry about his livelihood. Hua Fang had arranged everything for him.

The above were the major contracts signed this summer. The smaller contracts worth one or two million euros per year were not even worth mentioning.

In addition to commercial activities, Zhang Jun and Sophie were also going to Mali in Africa to visit children in disaster areas as UNICEF ambassadors and to film a public service advertisement for the children's fund. Then, in China, they would attend a celebration and charity fundraising dinner held by the China Youth Development Foundation in his honor.

When the time came to July 8, he had to say goodbye to Sophie and report to the Chinese national team to prepare for the Asian Cup, which would be held in Japan on July 16. By the time the Asian Cup ended, it would be the end of July. At this time, he had to rush back to China to join the Fiorentina team and participate in the team's Asian tour and a series of commercial activities.

By the time he finished all this, it would be mid-August, and they would begin preparations for the new season. Until the end of May of the following year, he would not have any more time to rest.

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Swiss shepherd César Ritz founded the first hotel named after him in Paris in 1898. The concept he founded at the time was: The customer is always right. This later became the service tenet of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. When Ritz's hotels were found all over the world, this sentence was always consistently implemented.

The six-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel is located in the most prestigious Place Vendôme in Paris and has always been one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. If you book a room at the Ritz Hotel, the Ritz will send someone to accompany you through customs and escort you to your room as soon as you arrive in Paris. Upon arrival, your luggage will be in place, including the clothes that need to be ironed and hung up, and you don't have to worry about anything. There are four call bells by the bed, which are sent to the wine attendant, cleaner, ironer, and your entourage, respectively. Many things in the room are antiques, even French national monuments. The four movements of life at the Ritz are as follows: breakfast at Espadon (a two-star restaurant in the Michelin Guide); outdoor lunch in the Vendôme Garden; afternoon tea at the Vendôme Bar, and dinner at the Ritz Club in the evening; in between, you can stroll through the hotel's one hundred and eight famous shops and ask eight famous shops such as Chanel and Cucci to design clothes.

This is just the situation in one store in Paris. There are more exciting things in other Ritz hotels around the world.

As the image ambassador of the Ritz-Carlton, Zhang Jun can enjoy free top-level services at Ritz-Carlton hotels around the world. The contract that Hua Fang signed with him was really a bargain, because Zhang Jun had thought about taking Sophie to travel around the world after retiring.

Zhang Jun came to Paris with Sophie to complete the signing ceremony. Sophie's appearance, as always, aroused the interest of the reporters present. Everyone knew that Zhang Jun had a beautiful wife, and now that they could see her with their own eyes, the reporters did not hesitate to use their film, giving most of it to Sophie. The person in charge of the Ritz Hotel muttered in his heart: If I had known, I would have signed Sophie as an image ambassador together…

As part of this commercial event show, Zhang Jun and Sophie would stay at the Ritz for forty-eight hours to fully enjoy the high-quality service provided by the Ritz Hotel.

As a result, Zhang Jun almost enjoyed the service of a king… even when he got up in the morning to brush his teeth, a maid was there to serve him water. No matter where he was, as long as he needed help, a waiter would soon appear in front of him with a smile on his face… Such service gave Zhang Jun the feeling that these people were like his servants, but in modern society that emphasizes equality for all, how could this happen? He once asked a maid, and her answer was very appropriate: "Sir, we are gentlemen and ladies serving gentlemen and ladies."

Zhang Jun thought about this sentence for a long time before he finally understood. It was still serving and being served, but because it was replaced by a very clever persuasion, both parties felt very satisfied.

During the two days at the Ritz, many reporters paid attention to the lives of Zhang Jun and Sophie. After they finished their experiential two-day life, they expressed their satisfaction and praise for the hotel when facing reporters. This was naturally what the Ritz wanted to see, so everyone was happy. Zhang Jun left with a huge contract worth ten million euros per year, and the Ritz jumped to the top of all luxury hotels, with unparalleled popularity.

Afterwards, Zhang Jun and Sophie flew directly from Paris to Portland, USA, to visit the headquarters of his signing company Nike and participate in meetings on the design and specific promotion of his "Z11" brand. Of course, his identity was the chairman of "Z11". In addition, he laid the foundation for a building named after him. Nike has this tradition of building a building for each of its famous stars and naming it after them. Zhang Jun was the first Asian to enjoy this honor.

Zhang Jun entrusted Hua Fang to handle the creation of "Z11", so she also attended this meeting and discussed with Nike's elites how to make "Z11" a world-renowned brand. Zhang Jun listened very carefully, but in fact, he didn't understand much of it…

The groundbreaking ceremony was very lively, and Nike's president came out, and there were large posters of Zhang Jun everywhere. The entire ceremony ended in a friendly and lively atmosphere.

After leaving Portland, Zhang Jun and his party went to New York, where people from Pepsi-Cola were waiting for them. This was also a small commercial event.

From Europe to North America, Zhang Jun and his party were followed by countless reporters, and they lived under the spotlight almost twenty-four hours a day. Of course, this came at the cost of endless money and fame.

After finishing all this, Zhang Jun still couldn't return home. He still had to go to Mali in Africa with Sophie to bring love to the hungry children there.

On the way to Europe, Zhang Jun found Hua Fang and told her about the idea that he had been holding in his heart for the past few years.

"Sister Hua, you have been my agent for so many years, and I have entrusted all my assets to you to manage. Can you tell me how much money I have now?" Zhang Jun hugged Sophie and talked to Hua Fang face to face.

Hua Fang smiled slightly. Nearly forty years old, she was still single. She devoted all her energy to the stars under her banner, but because of good maintenance, she still looked very young and beautiful. "Your savings are actually not that much, because I have taken them for investment over the years. But all the assets you own are already No.1 among all football players in the world. At least five hundred million, euros. I haven't even counted the few contracts we just signed. Your usual life is very simple, so you don't spend much on luxury goods, and other expenses are also very small. The money you have left is enough for you to live without worry for ten lifetimes." Hua Fang thought that Zhang Jun was worried about not having a source of income after retirement, so she comforted him.

"Hehe, I only have this one life to live. It's useless to have so much money. I have an idea that Sophie and I have discussed for a long time, but we are not familiar with management, so I hope Sister Hua can help me." Zhang Jun smiled, then tightly held Sophie's hand.

"No problem, tell me."

"That's right, I want to take some money from my assets to build a football school in China. To provide opportunities for those talented teenagers who can't continue playing football for various reasons, to train them, educate them, and then send them abroad or for further study in China." Zhang Jun simply stated his idea.

Hua Fang first recorded what Zhang Jun said in a memorandum, and then looked up and said, "There is no problem at all. My company can prepare this matter for you now. Are there any further requirements?"

"Um… I want all kinds of facilities to be the best, we don't save money in this regard. The teaching staff must also be the best. If necessary, I think I can use my connections to find them from Europe and South America. Cultural courses and professional courses must be taken into account…" Zhang Jun told Hua Fang bit by bit what an ideal football school looked like in his heart. "Whether it is hardware or software, the conditions must be the best, but the fees we set according to different situations. We don't charge money for those who are really talented but have poor families, and we also give subsidies. There are scholarships for good performance… Um, and help me find some management talents to manage this school for me. As for the address, choose Mianyang, Sichuan. The natural environment there is very good, and the climate is also good. Sophie and I have been there to investigate, and we have already chosen the land."

Hua Fang interrupted Zhang Jun: "According to what you said, this school is equivalent to a public welfare nature. Not only does it not make money, but it also has to pay money. According to your description, I think it is not enough to rely on your investment alone, and you need to contact other investors. What do you plan to use to convince them?"

Zhang Jun smiled: "Other investors, I have many… Yang Pan, Ren Yu Di, and Li Yongle are all very interested in my plan. I think I can ask them to donate some money. I don't need to convince them, right? Also, the school certainly can't keep losing money. When the players we train mature, we will naturally recommend them to domestic and foreign football clubs. At that time, we can recover the investment."

"Are you saying… selling players?"

"That's right. Africa, South America, and Europe are all doing this. We have to do better. I think there must be many very talented children in China, but because of various reasons, they can't continue their football dreams. Now I provide a stable and superior environment, which is to allow them to play and study with peace of mind, and become the pillars of Chinese football in the future. The fame of me and Yang Pan is too accidental and dramatic. Not everyone has this kind of good luck."

Hua Fang was silent for a moment, she was considering the feasibility and benefits of the plan proposed by Zhang Jun. Zhang Jun stopped talking, he was waiting for Hua Fang to answer him. Even if Hua Fang didn't agree, he would find someone else to carry out the plan, this was his biggest dream in his life besides the World Cup, and he would never allow it to die. It was just more reassuring to find Hua Fang, after all, she was considered one of his own.

After a long time, Hua Fang raised her head again: "I have a suggestion."

Zhang Jun nodded, signaling her to speak.

"If the school is very successful and has a big impact, I hope you are not only limited to China, but to open schools in more countries. I hope you treat this school as a brand, not just a school."

Zhang Jun smiled, Hua Fang saw farther than him, but that was exactly what he hoped. "Of course, make it a brand like Nike!"

Hua Fang also smiled: "Okay, you go to Africa, and I will take your full power of attorney to Sichuan to help you with this matter. I believe that with your name, the government will also be easy to deal with."

Hua Fang got up and left, she was already busy drafting the plan for the establishment of the school.

Zhang Jun exhaled a long breath and leaned back in his chair. Sophie looked at him: "Have you fulfilled your last wish?"

Zhang Jun originally wanted to say yes. As a result, he turned his head and saw the beautiful Sophie, and his heart moved: "No, there is still one wish."

"What?" Sophie blinked, as far as she knew, this was indeed Zhang Jun's last wish.

Zhang Jun curled the corner of his mouth: "I hope you give me a child. This is my biggest wish…"

Sophie's face suddenly turned red.

Zhang Jun laughed and hugged the shy Sophie into his arms. This was the only thing he could do to relax on the tiring journey. Being with Sophie didn't feel tired no matter how tired he was, and even the greatest achievement could not compare to her smile. He hugged Sophie in his arms, gently stroking her hair, and murmured: "I owe you too much, Sophie…"

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Participating in public welfare activities and shooting advertisements are not mentioned. Time flew quickly to July 8. Zhang Jun and other national team members came to Xiangshan Training Base in Beijing to gather and participate in pre-Asian Cup training. At the same time, this was also the best opportunity to get to know the new head coach.

As a result, as soon as the team gathered, Advocaat announced a decision that made people feel a little unbelievable:

"Considering that Zhang Jun has more experience as captain, I discussed it with the Chinese coaching staff. After repeated discussions and research, we decided to let Zhang Jun be the captain of the new national team."

All the players present were stunned. Yang Pan didn't expect it, and Zhang Jun didn't expect it either.

"Coach, this…" Zhang Jun stood up, he didn't want to be the national team captain. In his eyes, no one was more suitable for this position than Yang Pan. His performance over the past five years had already won the approval of all his teammates.

Advocaat encouraged him through a translator: "This is a decision made by all the coaching staff. It is everyone's trust in you. You have to do a good job."

Zhang Jun suddenly felt that he had nothing to say. This matter was too strange. Yang Pan was doing a good job, so why suddenly change the captain? He turned to look at Yang Pan, but found that there was no change in his expression, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.

After the meeting, Zhang Jun found Yang Pan, he didn't want his relationship with Yang Pan to become strained because of this matter. Who knew what Advocaat was planning in his heart?

Yang Pan smiled at Zhang Jun: "Of course I know you are not that kind of person. Besides, with your current achievements, do you still care about the position of national team captain? I understand you, Zhang Jun, more than you think. You are the kind of person who can't wait to have fewer troubles, how could you take the initiative to apply for this job?"

Hearing Yang Pan say this, Zhang Jun was relieved. "But I still don't understand why Advocaat wants to change the captain for no reason."

Yang Pan snorted coldly: "Let me tell you a story, Zhang Jun. After Beckham announced his resignation as captain of the England national team, the new head coach immediately kicked him out of the national team and announced that he would never recruit him into the team again. Do you know why? The theories of those media and so-called football celebrities that 'Beckham's skills are not good, he is too old, and his defense is not good' are purely excuses. The real reason is that the new coach is eager to get rid of Eriksson's influence, so taking Eriksson's most beloved Beckham as a target is naturally the best effect. Do you understand? This is something that any new head coach will do—establish authority. Remember what Dunga did when he first came to power? He recruited a large group of newcomers, and then announced to the outside world that he didn't value past fame, and that if he wanted to enter the Brazilian team, he would have to show his performance. This is all the same principle."

Zhang Jun was stunned for a moment: "Isn't Advocaat afraid of causing chaos in the team?"

"That's why he's looking for you to be the captain, not just any newcomer." Yang Pan pointed to Zhang Jun.

"Why me?"

"Stupid. You have a good relationship with the team and your prestige is second only to me. Look at your current popularity as the world's number one. If you are the captain, other people will not have any objections, so isn't there any contradiction within the team? It's just that I'm wronged alone, but I don't care." Yang Pan shrugged.

"Do you really don't care?"

"I don't care, it's just a captain's armband. If he wants it, just take it." Although Yang Pan said so, Zhang Jun still felt that Yang Pan was a little uncomfortable in his heart.

That's right, the captain was doing a good job, and under impeccable circumstances, the captain was replaced for no reason. No one could accept it all at once.

Zhang Jun sighed, he knew that if Yang Pan was simply replaced, then the saliva of the media and fans would drown this Dutch old man. But then letting himself be the captain could well alleviate the current and possible contradictions and condemnations. It seems that this old man had considered it deeply, and indeed it was decided after "repeated discussions and research".

Yang Pan was in his prime, and both his skills and tactics were excellent, which was a global consensus. Advocaat didn't have the guts not to let Yang Pan enter the national team, so he could only use his brain on the captain's armband. For some people, the captain's armband is not only a responsibility, but also supreme honor. It is indeed a bit cruel to deprive a person of such an honor.

Zhang Jun's liking for Advocaat was getting less and less.

※※※

Qiu Suhui slammed the newspaper brought by Luo Shengmao on the table, he pointed at the headline on the newspaper and roared angrily: "He turned the good national team into this, what's the difference from ten years ago!? Despicable! Shameless!… Grandson!"

The headline was a photo of Advocaat, Zhang Jun, and Yang Pan, and the headline was terrifying: "Yang Pan Down, Zhang Jun Up, What Does the Dutchman Want?"

Luo Shengmao naturally knew about it a long time ago, he came to bring news to Qiu Suhui this time. He didn't want to express his opinion on the grievances between the former national team coach and the current national team coach, so he could only shake his head.

Qiu Suhui stood up and began to pace around the room, stopping from time to time to point at the newspaper and scold a few words: "Chen Wei looked for a long time and said he wanted to find an obedient person, but he found such a person? Obedient on the surface, obedient to the Football Association, but he has his own set in private! Hmph, Chen Wei wants to rule from behind the curtain, and Advocaat may not get what he wants, let's see who plays who in the end!"

"This national team that I left him, as long as he doesn't mess around and nothing unexpected happens, can play for at least four more years. Even if we can't win the World Cup in Brazil three years later, we can get a good result. But the Dutch and Chen Wei stirred it up like this, and the team's internal morale is in turmoil. I see what he can do! The Football Association shouted that they wanted to win the Asian Cup, and Advocaat said more than once that the focus was on training and getting familiar with the team. In my opinion, this Asian Cup is hopeless! The goal is not clear at all, the team's internal contradictions are heavy, and I seriously doubt the coach's level!"

Luo Shengmao's afternoon passed in Qiu Suhui's endless complaints…

※※※

Zhang Jun could feel that there were problems within the team now. Although everyone supported him as captain, they didn't have much liking for Advocaat. Xiang Tao even scolded the Dutch as a "turtle son" more than once in non-public occasions.

These things made Zhang Jun very headache, because he felt that he couldn't control this team at all. On the one hand, everyone was used to Yang Pan's straightforward management style, and on the other hand, he himself didn't want to cooperate with Advocaat…

The team's preparation looked orderly on the outside, but in reality, the undercurrent below was surging.

In this way, the team hastily conducted a warm-up match and set off for Tokyo, Japan. Zhang Jun also ushered in his first Asian Cup in his career.

On the eve of the team's departure to Tokyo, without Advocaat's knowledge, the team gathered together to discuss using the Asian Cup to pressure the Football Association to remove the Dutch coach.

This was a major event. Zhang Jun couldn't bring himself to reprimand those excited teammates. In the end, Yang Pan came out and severely punished the leaders, and then warned them: "Isn't it just a captain? Do you really think I can't live without that thing? I'm telling you, whoever wants to drop the ball in the Asian Cup and deliberately lose the game, don't blame me for exposing his name. This is national honor! Who dares to joke about it?!"

In this way, the plan died in the womb. Afterwards, Zhang Jun thanked Yang Pan, he felt that although he was wearing the armband, the actual leader of the national team was still Yang Pan.

Yang Pan sighed: "Zhang Jun, I don't know how you manage those people in Fiorentina. But it's different in the national team. You have to show some majesty and make them afraid of you first."

Zhang Jun smiled wryly: "All along, the impression I have given them has been that I have a good relationship with people, and I am a kind and amiable image. Now there is no time to change."

Yang Pan had no way to help.

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The arrival of the Chinese team caused a sensation throughout Japan, after all, this was the world champion team. Although the coach had changed, the players had not changed much, and the main players who won the World Cup were still there. All of these people were famous stars in Europe, and now they were all gathered in Japan, which set off a new wave of football fever in Japan.

As the number one seed to win the championship, the Chinese team received much attention. The Japanese media also learned about their recent change of captain, and brought it up during interviews. Whenever faced with such questions, Zhang Jun had to force a smile and tell them that everything was normal and that it was just a normal personnel change.

The media swarming in made it impossible for the Chinese team to train properly in Japan. Sometimes Zhang Jun would wonder if this was a strategy of the Japanese Football Association to deliberately harass them with the media, interfere with their training, and affect their state… Thinking like this, Japan was really evil…

On July 16, the Asian Cup officially kicked off in Tokyo, Japan. In the opening match, the Japanese team easily defeated the Oman team 3:0. Like the Chinese team, the Japanese team was regarded as a favorite to win the championship. The two teams were in a competitive relationship.

In the Group B match two days later, the Chinese team had a smooth start, defeating Syria 4:0. Zhang Jun completed a hat trick, temporarily ranking first on the scorer list with three goals. Li Yongle added the icing on the cake in the last three minutes.

After this match, the Japanese media exclaimed that Zhang Jun was unstoppable, and they didn't know how long his excellent form would last. After this easy victory, the domestic media's attitude also changed. Originally, almost everyone criticized Advocaat for playing with fire and self-immolating, but now they praised Advocaat for knowing people and making good use of them, saying that Zhang Jun was the best choice as captain, and that the team would enter a long period of prosperity under the leadership of the two of them.

Four days later, on July 22, the Chinese team ushered in their second match in the group stage. In the end, the Chinese team defeated Tajikistan 2:0. An own goal by the opponent helped the Chinese team score first, and then Yang Pan ended the match with a powerful long shot.

With two wins in two matches, the Chinese team had already qualified in advance, and no one in the country could hear criticism of Advocaat anymore.

On July 26, the Chinese team played their last match in the group stage against Kuwait. The score of this match was 1:0. The Chinese team won with a goal from Shao Jiayi in the sixty-second minute. The Chinese team, with three wins in three matches, showed strong strength. Almost everyone thought that they were the undisputed champions, and even the Japanese media lamented that this Asian Cup was destined not to belong to Japan.

The domestic media even praised Advocaat to the sky, but did they notice? If the Chinese team's journey was compared to a line, then this line was already at its peak at the beginning, and was now going downhill…

On July 30, in the Asian Cup quarter-finals, the Chinese team swept Qatar 5:0. Wu Shangshan scored for the Chinese team in the twenty-first minute of the opening, and then Zhao Pengyu, who played for Eindhoven, extended the score. At the beginning of the second half, Li Yongle suddenly exerted his strength and scored two goals in the fifty-third and sixty-seventh minutes. Zhang Jun scored a direct free kick in the seventy-eighth minute to lock the score at 5:0, and he himself continued to rank first on the scorer list with four goals.

With four consecutive wins, twelve goals scored, and no goals conceded, the Chinese team's performance made almost everyone sure that there was no suspense in this Asian Cup. The Chinese team would win the Asian Cup for the first time in history, completing their grand slam in international events.

Even the coach of their semi-final opponent Saudi Arabia complimented the Chinese team for their perfect performance, which made many Chinese people happy.

The Saudi Arabia of today was no longer the Saudi Arabia that dominated Asia in the 1990s. In terms of strength, it was indeed not on the same level as the Chinese team. It was not surprising that their coach showed weakness before the match, and it was said that luck played an important role in their ability to reach the finals this time.

Continuous wins made the Chinese team's internal atmosphere one of joy and encouragement, and the contradictions before the competition were temporarily put aside. Winning was enough to cover up everything.

However, in such an atmosphere, Advocaat still remained calm, and he still said the same thing to the outside world: the Chinese team's goal was to train and observe players, not the championship.

Saying that the Chinese team's goal was not the championship was like a lion telling others that it had become a vegetarian. In the eyes of outsiders, this was a typical attempt to cover up, and no one believed the Dutchman's words anymore.

On August 2, the Asian Cup semi-finals, the first match, China vs Saudi Arabia.

Before the match, Saudi Arabia lowered its stance, and the media did not pay attention to the declining Saudi Arabia, so the atmosphere before the match was very relaxed. But when the match started, the Chinese team found that everything was not progressing as they had imagined. The German-coached Saudi team completely abandoned their usual delicate and elegant Brazilian-style football, and instead ran wildly, actively fighting, with rough movements. The difference in momentum made the Chinese team feel very uncomfortable. In the first thirty minutes, they only had three shots! Although the Saudi team did not have any advantage, and their number of shots was very small, they at least blocked the Chinese team's terrifying attack, which was a great encouragement for the Saudi players.

The first half was uneventful, and the second half was a change of sides. As the captain of the national team, the number one scorer, and the star player, Zhang Jun naturally received the most "care". The Saudi team's players were not polite when defending Zhang Jun, and their movements did not show that they were a football team that adhered to the Brazilian technical style.

The Saudi team's German coach specifically arranged for two people to defend Zhang Jun, and from the first minute of the opening, they closely marked Zhang Jun. When necessary, they would naturally take fouls to stop Zhang Jun. Zhang Jun himself did not know how many times he fell to the ground. In short, the new jersey that he had just changed into at halftime was quickly dirtied again.

After being pushed to the ground for the nth time, Zhang Jun helplessly knelt on the ground, and then gestured to the referee, should he give a card?

The referee just stepped forward and gave the other party a verbal warning. This caused boos from many Japanese Zhang Jun fans in the stands. In their view, the whistle blown by this referee from Thailand was somewhat biased.

The tree that stands out in the forest is bound to be destroyed by the wind.

When Qiu Suhui was in power, he had said more than once that the Chinese team's goal was in Europe, which did not put the AFC in its eyes. The AFC, which was controlled by West Asian football, certainly did not want the Chinese team representing East Asia to be too glorious, so it was normal to find opportunities to trip the Chinese team. It was just that the Chinese team under Qiu Suhui was too strong, and all aspects were impeccable, so even if they tripped, they would be easily cracked by the other party. Nowadays, it was heard that Advocaat had relieved Yang Pan of his captain's position, which caused strong dissatisfaction within the team. The current Chinese team was no longer a monolithic whole. Wasn't this the best opportunity?

The Saudi's tactics were not how to score, but how to disrupt the Chinese team's attack, so the scene looked very chaotic. The Saudi's rough movements continued to cause boos from the audience, and even the commentators of CCTV5 angrily accused the Saudi players of not playing football, but kicking people. A good Asian Cup semi-final turned into a farce.

※※※

Qiu Suhui in front of the TV slapped the table and scolded Advocaat: "Why don't you replace Zhang Jun at this time?! The other party is no longer playing football, there is more than one Zhang Jun who can score for the Chinese team, there are other people, now is the time to protect Zhang Jun! Substitution, you idiot!"

Luo Shengmao, who was sitting next to him, rarely saw Qiu Suhui so excited, and he was a little at a loss. Ever since Advocaat came to power, Qiu Suhui's temper had become worse and worse…

※※※

The members of the Chinese coaching staff whispered to Advocaat, the world-famous coach: "Mr. Advocaat, the Saudi team is getting more and more rough, should we consider replacing Zhang Jun? If this continues, I am worried that he will be injured. With the strength gap between us and Saudi Arabia, this match will be won sooner or later, but it would not be good to lose Zhang Jun…"

Advocaat looked at the situation on the field and thought for a while, then nodded: "Has Li Jie finished warming up? Let him come over and prepare to play!"

※※※

The on-site commentator keenly discovered Li Jie standing on the sidelines, and he was bowing his head and listening to Advocaat's instructions. He reported this situation.

Qiu Suhui in front of the TV breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems that the old man still has something, knowing to make a substitution." In his opinion, although there were two forwards on the bench, bringing on Li Jie was indeed the best choice, his strong body was the nemesis of the Saudis.

This "famous coach" is not completely useless…

※※※

Advocaat was giving Li Jie his final instructions, telling him to pay attention to using his body more on the field, to set up the ball for his teammates, and to break through and shoot himself when necessary.

At this moment, he heard a harsh whistle from the field, followed by a mountain of boos from the stands!

※※※

Qiu Suhui smashed the beer bottle on the table against the wall next to the TV. With a "bang!", glass shards were splashed everywhere. Luo Shengmao had already stood up from his seat, staring blankly at Zhang Jun, who was lying on the ground in the TV, painfully covering his knee.