Chapter 205 198: Meeting an Opponent

Our correspondents report: In an Asian Cup semi-final match at the Beijing Workers' Stadium last night, the Chinese Team faced West Asian powerhouse Iran. After ninety minutes of grueling battle, the Chinese Team narrowly defeated Iran 2-1, thanks to a last-minute game-winner from Yang Yang.

As one of Asia's strongest teams, Iran put immense pressure on the Chinese Team from the very beginning. The Iranian right flank, in particular, repeatedly created dangerous opportunities. However, the Chinese Team scored first, thanks to their aggressive pressing high up the pitch.

But not long after, the Iran Team equalized.

After switching sides for the second half, just as the match restarted, Chinese Team's main striker, Hao Dong, suffered a head injury during a challenge and was bleeding profusely. The Chinese Team was forced to make a substitution, and Arie Haan sent the seventeen-year-old youngster Yang Yang onto the front line.

And it was precisely this masterstroke of a substitution by Arie Haan that unleashed Yang Yang's attacking potential and secured the victory.

At the critical moment, Yang Yang drifted to the wing to receive the ball, dribbled past two Iranian players in succession, and then faked out the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into the net with his left foot. It was a spectacular and classic long-distance solo run.

After the match, reporters interviewed former National Team head coach Horton. He gave high praise to the Chinese Team's performance, believing their midfield and defense were nearly perfect. The problem of a lackluster offense, which had been exposed, was alleviated after Yang Yang moved up to the front line.

Horton stated that he has been following the Chinese Team's matches and can see that Yang Yang is constantly improving and integrating into the team. Furthermore, Arie Haan is continually placing more trust in him and increasing his on-field responsibilities.

One obvious change is that Yang Yang is no longer just an attacker fixed to the wing. He's started to make more active runs into the penalty area, which has brought his goal tally for this Asian Cup to three, tying him with Shao Jiayi as the team's top scorer.

Horton believes that Yang Yang is in excellent form. It's hard to believe he's only seventeen given his performance. He's incredibly consistent, his fundamentals are solid, and his passing and ball control are exceptionally sound. He plays with great intelligence, and utilizing him effectively will be the key for the Chinese Team to win the final.

It wasn't just Horton. In the post-match press conference, Arie Haan also spoke highly of the game, calling it an exciting match and a contest between two of Asia's top teams.

Arie Haan said that he didn't give Yang Yang specific instructions on how to play, but rather trusted him, gave him support and space, and let him express himself. Yang Yang did not disappoint anyone's expectations, and that goal showcased his outstanding individual ability.

Arie Haan also stated that Yang Yang's role on the team is undergoing a fundamental change. He is playing an increasingly crucial role and has already become one of the most important players for the Chinese National Team.

Iran National Team's head coach, Ivanovic, also said in an interview that he had prepared thoroughly for the semi-final and had paid close attention to Yang Yang. But unfortunately, he still ended up underestimating him.

Ivanovic believes Yang Yang has great individual skill. He's fast with sharp, penetrating dribbles, a very impressive player, and the most crucial member of the Chinese Team's attack. If Japan wants to achieve anything in the final, they must find a way to contain Yang Yang.

The Iranian coach has played against both China and Japan. He thinks China has a great advantage on both wings and a solid defense in the midfield and backline. However, Japan's ball control is excellent, and they are very strong at controlling the tempo of the game. He believes the final confrontation between the two teams will be a spectacular showdown.

...

...

Concurrent with the featured reports on National Television's general and news channels, major media outlets both at home and abroad were also extensively covering the Asian Cup semi-final match.

Reuters published a commentary stating that the Chinese Team had demonstrated their resolve in this crucial match.

"In the past, the Chinese Team would often falter under pressure. This time, however, they were noticeably more resolute. Yang Yang's goal came at the perfect, critical moment. He brought a sense of stability to the team, gave everyone hope, and ultimately, the Chinese Team held on to the very end."

The Associated Press published an article stating that after the growing pains of the World Cup, Chinese Football is experiencing a revival. Since Arie Haan took over as head coach in 2003, the team has remained undefeated in nineteen international matches, which is definitely not just a matter of luck.

"The Asian Cup semi-final against Iran showed everyone the strength of the team Arie Haan has built. It isn't perfect, but it's impressive enough, especially with the seventeen-year-old youngster Yang Yang playing such a crucial role."

Agence France-Presse highly praised the significance of this match: "In 1976, the Chinese Team participated in the Asian Cup for the first time. In 1984, they reached the Asian Cup final for the first time, but unfortunately, they lost 0-2 to Saudi Arabia."

"After twenty years, the Chinese Team has once again reached the Asian Cup final. This team is brimming with talent, featuring a perfect mix of veterans, players in their prime, and young rising stars. They have been tested by the World Cup, the squad includes multiple players who play for overseas clubs, and they even have a player like Yang Yang, who has been forged in the crucible of a Champions League final."

"This is the greatest moment in the history of Chinese Football, and the moment with the most hope for a breakthrough."

Besides the three major news agencies, domestic media and newspapers were also a sea of celebration.

Fans across the country were jubilant, and the media was full of nothing but praise.

In the match against Iran, the Chinese Team took a total of eighteen shots, far more than Iran's seven. However, their conversion rate was low, with only five shots on target, while Iran had two.

In terms of overall play, the Chinese Team was by no means inferior to Iran; the two teams were evenly matched. Many football pundits pointed out that this was due to a tactical adjustment by Arie Haan, shifting from the attack-focused strategy of the group stage and quarterfinals to a more balanced offense and defense.

"Their opponent in the final, Japan, likes to control possession. The Chinese Team should proactively use their advantage in pressing high up the pitch, seeking opportunities for fast counter-attacks by suppressing the opponent's midfield."

"More importantly, Japan's key player Endo Yasuhito will miss the final, whereas for the Chinese Team, aside from Hao Dong's head injury, all other players are available."

At the same time, many more figures in the domestic football scene expressed that the biggest gain for Arie Haan's team in the Asian Cup wasn't the results, but the discovery of a rising genius, Yang Yang, as well as the core midfielder, Shao Jiayi.

"But more importantly, our team has finally developed a resolute and bold spirit. In the match against Iran, our advances and retreats were well-measured. We dared to press forward boldly, but were also willing to fall back into a defensive shape. This shows that the mentality of our team is quietly changing."

...

...

Amidst the overwhelmingly positive public opinion at home and abroad, there were still voices of doubt.

The South Korea Team's head coach, Bang Fulei, had predicted that China would surely lose to Iran. But after China eliminated their opponent 2-1 to advance, Bang Fulei stated post-match that China's win was a bit lucky and that Yang Yang's individual performance had changed the course of the game.

"But against Japan in the final, the Chinese Team has no chance."

Japan's head coach, Zico, said in a media interview that despite several of their star players from overseas clubs being absent, Japan was still the strongest team in Asia. "Even with our substitute lineup, we are more than capable of defeating the Chinese Team in the final to win the championship."

Japan's core midfielder, Nakamura Shunsuke, commented that China eliminating Iran to reach the final was the best possible news for Japan.

"Compared to the powerful Iran, we'd much rather face the Chinese Team. And we will win the Asian Cup for the third time."

Japan's captain, Miyamoto Keisuke, felt that their journey to the final had not been easy. The players were very united, and every match had been incredibly difficult. But by reaching the final, every player on the team had gained confidence.

"We hope to have a fair match and win the trophy."

In response to Miyamoto Keisuke's comment, Chinese fans sarcastically quipped, 'Right, the quarter-final elimination match against Jordan was *so* fair!'

...

...

Yang Yang and the other National Team players didn't get involved in the media frenzy.

During a phone call, Wei Zheng mentioned that many domestic companies and brands were interested in having Yang Yang as a spokesperson. But Yang Yang paid no mind to these matters, leaving them all for Wei Zheng to handle. He was completely focused on preparing for the final.

Instead, a call came from Europe. It was Raiola, telling him that Nike had re-entered the negotiations for Yang Yang's personal sponsorship.

"Didn't I tell you before? Adidas was only willing to offer a maximum of thirty thousand euros, with a sponsorship fee of up to fifty thousand euros over three years. But this time, they have some competition."

On the other end of the line, the fat Italian who made the Ajax negotiation team grit their teeth in hatred was cackling, unable to stop. His voice alone oozed the craftiness of a wily businessman.

"You've performed too well in the Toulon Cup and the Asian Cup. I've already made it clear to the Adidas representative that this isn't about fifty thousand euros anymore. You need to understand, behind you is the Chinese market of over a billion people. It's becoming the most important new market for both Adidas and Nike."

"I've looked into it. Since 2003, the Chinese NBA player Nike used to sponsor, Yao Giant, has switched to Reebok. Right now, both Nike and Adidas lack influential athletes in China, and you are going to be the hot commodity they'll be fighting over."

At this point, Raiola let out another very crafty laugh over the phone.

"Anyway, don't you worry. Just play well in the Asian Cup final, and it'd be best if you crush Japan. I guarantee that after the Asian Cup, I'll negotiate a super blockbuster contract for you. This time, whether it's Nike or Adidas, I'm going to make them bleed."

Raiola's resentment stemmed from the recent negotiation for Ibrahimovic's Adidas sponsorship. The Swedish Striker's boot sponsorship was only for fifty thousand euros, far below the one million euros Raiola had expected. Neither the player nor the agent was very happy about it.

But Yang Yang was different. Behind him was the massive Chinese market. Anyone who wanted to sign him was going to have to pay dearly; bleeding them was a certainty.

Yang Yang had no objections. 'I don't understand this kind of stuff anyway,' he thought. 'It's best to just leave it to Raiola.'

'Besides, the fat Italian gets a commission. I don't believe for a second he'd secretly go easy on them.'

'And anyway, whether I sign or not is ultimately up to me, isn't it?'