Chapter 22: Fighting Banya! Before the Battle
It only takes about an hour to take a long-distance bus from Emmen to Enschede, and the two places are not far apart.
Enschede is located in the province of Overijssel in the east of the Netherlands, right between Emmen and Dottiegem, bordering Germany. It is the leading university city in the Netherlands. The city is one of the central cities in Europe, integrating history and culture, and is an important cultural city in the Netherlands.
The home stadium of the famous Dutch Eredivisie team FC Twente is located in Enschede.
The home stadium was built in 1998 and can accommodate people. For this World Youth Championship, it is also a new stadium that was built not long ago. The stadium facilities are complete and the broadcasting and communication system is quite developed. The biggest feature here is that the design of the stands is very clever. There is no obstacle here to block the fans' view.
What makes fans even more comfortable is that they can take a train right in front of the Enschede Stadium, saving a lot of trouble for the enthusiastic fans who travel long distances.
6月25日晚上20：30分，作为最后一场1/4决赛的角逐，意大利U20代表队与西班牙U20代表队的比赛就将在这座球场上演。
Before this match starts, the other three quarter-final group matches will be decided, and the final spot in the semi-finals will be decided between Italy and Spain.
At 6:24 on June 17, the first match to start was between the United States and Morocco.
The game attracted a lot of fans, most of whom were Moroccan fans. Every attack or foul by the US team was booed by the fans.
This game also has a Chinese element, as the referee is Liu Tiejun from China.
At the beginning of the first half, the two sides fought fiercely and played aggressively. In the first and fourth minutes, the United States made two consecutive shots that slipped past the goal.
But in the subsequent games, Morocco took more initiative on the field.
In the 26th minute, Morocco broke the deadlock. Moroccan winger Izzor made a high-speed run down the left side and then made a cross with his right foot. Zall shot with the outside of his right foot at the edge of the small penalty area. The ball hit the crossbar and bounced into the net.
Morocco leads 1-0.
The United States did not have many good opportunities afterwards. Morocco had a suspected handball in the penalty area, but the referee did not blow the whistle. In the first half, Morocco led the United States by one goal.
After the start of the second half, the US team stepped up its attack in the hope of equalizing the score.
Finally, in the 74th minute, the U.S. team took a corner kick from the left side into the penalty area, and Pettersson headed the ball into the net from 8 meters in front of the goal, tying the score.
In the 83rd minute, Morocco's Rashid fell in the US team's penalty area, but the referee did not award a penalty.
After 90 minutes of play, the two teams were tied 1-1 and the game went into overtime.
In the 93rd minute of extra time, Morocco luckily took the lead again; El Zar took a free kick from the left side of the frontcourt into the penalty area, and the American team's Adu overpowered Izzor and headed the ball into his own goal.
But in the 122nd minute of the second half of overtime, Adu made up for his mistake by receiving a cross from Peterson on the right side, leaning forward to head the ball at the edge of the small penalty area, and the ball bounced off the ground and flew into the lower left corner of the goal. The US team tenaciously tied the score!
After 30 minutes of overtime, the two teams were tied 2-2 and the game went into a penalty shootout.
In the first two rounds of the penalty shootout, the United States' penalties were saved, while Morocco also missed a penalty. In the third and fourth rounds, Morocco and the United States both scored their penalties. In the fifth round, Zahr scored the winning goal.
In this way, Morocco was the first to advance to the semi-finals of the World Youth Championship!
Another match held later on the same day, which was also the highlight of this round, was between Germany and Brazil, but it was Brazil that narrowly won in overtime.
The Brazilian team was the champion of the last World Youth Championship and is also the defending champion of this World Youth Championship.
In terms of strength, Brazilian players have better skills, but Germans have the physical advantage.
At the beginning of the first half, Brazil took the initiative in the game and had an absolute advantage in ball possession time, but Germany's counterattack was very threatening.
In the first half of the game, both sides attacked and defended, and the competition was very fierce. The German team even paid the price of two yellow cards.
Before the end of the first half, Germany got the best chance of the first half: Germany intercepted the ball in the frontcourt and immediately counterattacked. Jensen turned and shot hard in front of the penalty area. The ball went straight to the middle of the goal, but because the angle was too straight, Brazilian goalkeeper Renan lifted the ball over the crossbar.
The first half ended with neither team scoring a goal.
At the start of the second half, Brazil stepped up its attack, hoping to break the deadlock first.
In the 47th minute, Brazil attacked in the frontcourt. Popo got the ball and passed it directly to the left. Sobis's shot was slightly off target.
In the 52nd minute, Brazil made a wonderful pass into the penalty area from the right side, and Santos' shot from 8 meters in front of the goal was saved by German goalkeeper Adler.
However, in the 68th minute of the game, it was the German youth team that took the lead. De Lula took a corner kick from the left side into the penalty area. Brazilian goalkeeper Renan collided with his teammate Renato, and Huber headed the ball into the empty goal.
After falling behind, Brazil attacked with all their might and finally got something in the 82nd minute. Brazil took a corner kick into the penalty area, and Eder Carlos' hook shot hit the post and bounced out, and Tardelli made a supplementary shot to tie the score.
During the injury time of the game, Evandro fell in the penalty area, but the referee did not award a penalty.
After 90 minutes of play, the two teams were tied 1-1 and the game went into overtime.
In the 99th minute of extra time, Brazil took a corner kick from the right side into the penalty area. Rafinha volleyed with his right foot from the top of the penalty area. The ball hit the inside of the left post and bounced into the net. Brazil overtook the score.
Although Tardelli received his second yellow card for diving in the 116th minute and was sent off with a red card, Germany did not take advantage of the extra man.
In the end, Brazil narrowly defeated Germany 2-1 and advanced to the next round.
在6月25日的下午15：30分在凯尔克拉德赛区进行的第三场1/4决赛，则爆出了大冷门--当地媒体认为是大冷门，因为赛前被认为实力占优的东道主荷兰队被尼日利亚点球淘汰。
Before the game, the official website of the World Youth Championship predicted that the Netherlands should win at home. The host country performed very well in this World Youth Championship. From the perspective of strength, the Netherlands has a certain advantage, while the Nigerian team only has certain characteristics in technology...
However, at the beginning of the game, the Nigerian team gave the Dutch team a head-on critical blow!
Less than a minute into the first half, Nigeria attacked from the right side. Isaac made a cross in the penalty area. Abuwo dribbled past the Dutch goalkeeper and defender, and hit the right post with a sliding shot. However, Owoyeli followed up with a right-foot shot to score.
The Netherlands fought back with all their might and almost completely took the initiative in the game; they created good scoring opportunities in the 7th, 12th and 20th minutes, but unfortunately their shots were either just a hair’s breadth away or saved by the Nigerian goalkeeper…
In the second half of the first half, Nigeria could only threaten the Dutch goal through sporadic quick counterattacks. Fortunately, the Dutch team never broke through the Nigerian goal...
At the end of the first half, Nigeria took advantage of the sudden attack at the beginning of the game and led the Netherlands by one goal into the halftime break.
In the second half, the Netherlands team fought back, taking advantage of Nigeria's unstable footing and launching a lightning attack to equalize the score.
Just 55 seconds into the second half, Abeye made a wonderful pass into the penalty area from the right side, and Vlaar headed the ball from the edge of the small penalty area. The ball bounced off the ground and went into the lower left corner of the goal, and the Netherlands equalized the score.
In the following games, both sides attacked and defended each other. As the game progressed, the Dutch team's physical strength declined and Nigeria gradually took the initiative.
In the 67th minute, Adefemi made a low shot with his right foot outside the penalty area. The ball hit the Dutch defender and changed direction. The ball hit the outside of the right post and went out of the bottom line. The Netherlands escaped.
However, although the Netherlands team was in a passive position on the field, the Nigerian team was unable to change the score.
After 90 minutes of play, the two teams were tied 1-1 again and the game went into overtime.
In the overtime, the two teams continued to attack each other at a fast pace; however, the players of both teams had consumed a lot of physical energy, and their finishing shots always lacked some accuracy.
After 120 minutes of play, the two teams were still tied 1-1 and the game was forced into a brutal penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout between the two teams in this round was a real penalty shootout, with both sides shooting 12 rounds before the winner was decided!
In the first three rounds of the penalty shootout, the penalty shooters on both sides basically deceived the goalkeeper and scored the ball.
In the fourth round, Cruz's penalty was saved by the Nigerian goalkeeper; however, Atulwa's penalty was also blocked by the Dutch goalkeeper.
In the fifth round, both sides hit again.
In the sixth round, Zeyivilon's right-foot shot hit the crossbar and bounced out; Adleye's left-foot shot went over the crossbar.
It really is a matter of if you want to win, you win, or you don’t win…
Both teams scored in the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh rounds.
Finally, in the 12th round of penalties, the two sides decided the winner. John of the Dutch team's penalty was saved; but this time Taiwo of the Nigerian team scored.
In the end, Nigeria eliminated the host Netherlands through a brutal penalty shootout and advanced to the semi-finals.
It seems that the Dutch team is really not good at penalty kicks... They are worthy of being the unlucky team in penalty shootouts, tied with England...
One thing that has to be mentioned here is the 2000 European Cup semi-final. Including the 120 minutes of regular game time, the Dutch team had a total of 6 penalty opportunities!
But they only scored one penalty kick, and the other five were either missed or saved, with Frank de Boer missing two of them. Italy's substitute goalkeeper Toldo became a god in one battle, saving three of the six penalties...
When Li Qi saw the result of the Dutch team, he couldn't help but complain and feel proud at the same time. After all, he is now representing the Italian youth team, right?
Li Qi looked at Viviano who was practicing the Victory 11 next to him, hoping that he could be possessed by San Toldo in the next game!
While Li Qi was teaching Viviano the principles of life through the Victory 11, he recalled yesterday, the night when he just arrived at the hotel in the new competition area, and the head coach came to inquire about the opponent's intelligence first...
Because Li Qi played for the Spanish Barcelona team for a season, and because of the accurate and detailed intelligence summary of the Argentine U20 team, Casiraghi firmly believed that Li Qi must have peeked at Barcelona's team scout report!
It was useless for Li Qi to deny N Company. He must have read it and studied it carefully. Otherwise, how could he know it so detailed and accurate?
Since you have seen the main players of the Argentina U20 team, there is no reason why you have not seen the main players of the Spanish team? Hurry up and catch them and torture them thoroughly...
Oh, no, I want to consult...
Li Qi cried out that it was unfair...
I had some understanding of the situation of the Argentine team before, entirely because after Messi became a god in later generations, all major media outlets have repeatedly studied Messi and the people around him. Li Qi has read more than a dozen detailed analysis reports, and he must remember a lot.
But what can Li Qi know about this Spanish national youth team...
Hmm? No, that’s not right… There seem to be several names that look familiar, David Silva, Fabregas, Jose Enrique, Fernando Llorente, Juanfran…
Yes, in two years, the Spanish national team will enter an era that sweeps the world football scene... No wonder Li Qi seemed to have read more than a dozen analytical reports analyzing the heroes of Spain.
Li Qi: "Okay, coach! Yes, I have read Barcelona's internal report! But I can only tell you secretly, I won't recognize you once you leave this door..." (This is the only explanation...)
Casiraghi: "Okay, I haven't heard anything. It's all analyzed and sorted out by our coaching staff... Tell me more specifically, what did you see... No, that's not right, what do you know... Hehe..." (seems a bit vulgar...)
After Li Qi sorted out his thoughts, he began to tell everything he knew about the Spanish U20 team:
"1. Let's talk about Juanfran first. He was born on January 1985, 1 in Crevillente, Spain. His dominant foot is his left foot...
This is a ruthless man, but he has not yet revealed his strong defense but weak offense characteristics. It would be safer to let him organize the attack...
2. Let's talk about David Silva. He was born on January 1986, 1. He is an all-around player in the frontcourt. He can play as a left or right winger and a front midfielder. His dominant foot is his left foot...
You can take advantage of his height and strength...
3. There is also Cesc Fàbregas, who was born on May 1987, 5 in Arenys de Mar, Spain. He plays as an organizing midfielder and his dominant foot is his right foot...
He plays football in a sissy way, not ruthlessly enough...
4. There is also Jose Enrique, born on January 1986, 1, with his left foot...
5. Finally, there is the center forward Fernando Llorente, born on February 1985, 2 in Pamplona, Spain, a right-footed player..."
……
Casiraghi took a small notebook and recorded it carefully: "Yes... I wrote it down... Is there anything else? Please continue..."
Li Qi: "...No more...Boss, I'm leaving now!"
……
On the other hand, Spain's head coach Saz was also asking the players whether they knew Ricardo Liqi. Judging from the data, this person is a core figure of Italy. The data shows that he plays for the Barcelona team in Spain...
Juanfran: "Boss, I'm from Real Madrid's youth training system..."
Silva: "Boss, I'm not in good health. Real Madrid didn't want me. I'm from Valencia's youth training..."
Fabregas: "Boss, even though I started out as a player in La Masia, I moved to Arsenal in 2003, while Li Qi only joined La Masia in the summer of 2004..."
……
Saz: "...Is that so? Well, then I, an old man, will have to stay up late tonight to study the videos of the previous Italian games..."
Fabregas: "No, boss, aren't there other coaching staff members? Let's share the burden and work overtime together..."
Saz and other coaching staff members: ... (What an ignorant and speechless little brat)
Xiaofa: "Also, there is something I don't know whether I should say or not..."
Saz: "Fart now!"
Fabregas: "Boss, can you call Barcelona and ask... You don't have to ask Mr. Rijkaard, ask the coaches and trainers at other sports centers who may know Li Qi better..."
Saz and other coaching staff members: ! ! ? ? (Although this kid has low emotional intelligence, he still has a bright mind!)
"Well, we've been in touch for a long time. We just wanted to ask for your opinions. We will announce the starting lineup for this game after the morning class tomorrow. You should go back to bed early."
……
(The players disperse)
Saz: "Everyone, go back and make a phone call... A and D, you seem to be familiar with that guy, call him and ask..."
"B and C, study the Italian match video together... Let's meet again before training tomorrow morning to summarize the information!"
Saz thought to himself, "I can take a break first," but he said, "I'll study our starting lineup tomorrow..."
Other coaching staff members: “Okay, boss!” (They all complained in their hearts: This old man is really smart, well-planned, experienced, shrewd, and takes advantage of his seniority to get something for nothing…)
……
