"As a traditional FIFA event, the Confederations Cup is scheduled to be held a year before the World Cup, which not only gives teams a chance to warm up, but also examines the preparations of the host country."

Duan Yixuan had some hard work this summer, and he had to follow the national team to Brazil for follow-up reporting.

But there is no dissatisfaction on his face, because today's national team is no longer a street rat that everyone shouts and beats:

"There are eight teams participating in the Confederations Cup, including World Cup hosts Brazil, last World Cup winners Spain, Copa America winner Uruguay, CONCACAF Gold Cup champion Mexico, Oceania Nations Cup winner Tahiti, European Cup runners-up Italy, Africa Cup of Nations winner Nigeria and Asian Cup winners...... China. ”

"Tahiti, what a nostalgic name."

Partnering with him is Nangong Lei, known as the "King of Tahiti" - the former international player played in Tahiti for several seasons, and because of his outstanding performance at that time, he was recommended by the head coach of the Tahiti national team as a candidate for the World Footballer of the Year, of course, he is only a candidate with one vote......

I only heard Duan Yixuan continue:

"In the draw ceremony held earlier, the eight teams were divided into two groups, the Chinese team was drawn to Group A, and the three teams in the same group were Spain, Mexico, and the host Brazil, which can be called the out-and-out group of death."

In previous competitions, no matter who the Chinese team drew together, it was called the group of death, but this time the commentator did not exaggerate, except for Mexico, which is a little weaker, Brazil and Spain are the top opponents - even if the Brazilian team has declined in strength compared to its peak due to the lack of green and yellow in recent years, it is not something that the Chinese team can ravage casually.

"This group is really not easy to play, they are all first-class teams in the world, I hope our boys will not be afraid of difficulties, and they will not have too much psychological baggage, as long as they play their own strength and play their own style, they can leave with their heads held high."

Nangong Lei said it easily, in the face of two opponents whose absolute strength is absolutely above him, how can it be so easy to show his strength and style?

-

June 15th.

National Arena of Brasilia.

"On behalf of 200 million people, I would like to warmly welcome tourists from all over the world to Brazil, a beautiful and rich country......"

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff delivered an enthusiastic speech before the opening ceremony.

Next up was FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who thanked Rousseff for the importance she placed on the tournament and then praised the Brazilian Football Federation for being very active in preparing for the World Cup, despite the serious delay in the construction of a stadium just two days earlier......

Due to the serious decline of Brazil's domestic economy, although it is not yet "in dire straits", the national living standards have declined significantly, and the broad masses of the people have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government's efforts to hold major events such as the World Cup and the Confederations Cup in times of economic crisis.

In the cities where the competition was held, there were large crowds of people marching to vent their frustrations, and he was surprised to see many demonstrators outside the hotel.

He also thought that in Brazil, the kingdom of football, ordinary people would rather not be able to eat or wear clothes, but also play football for their dreams......

While Rousseff and Blatter were speaking, bursts of shrill boos rang out from the stands, and some even shouted slogans such as "garbage government" and "Rousseff step down".

Fortunately, these two big names are not fledgling hairy boys, they turn a deaf ear to those boos, but have smiles like a spring breeze on their faces.

When they finished talking nonsense, the opening match of the Confederations Cup officially kicked off.

The opening match will of course have to be hosted, and Brazil's opponent will be ...... It was the Chinese team.

-

As the captain of China, Long Shute stood at the front of the players' tunnel.

Two metres away is Brazil's captain Thiago Silva.

The two of them have played each other in the Champions League, when Ronshette was still at Ajax, and Silva was also at AC Milan, in addition to leading the national Olympic team to meet in the final of last year's London Olympics, when the Chinese team won 3-2, this defeat has also become a big regret for the Brazilian team.

The Brazilian team also included his Bayern teammate Gustavo, who hugged warmly in the aisle and exchanged a few pleasantries.

"Where are you playing these days?"

"I'm on a plane, what about you?"

"Tomorrow I will introduce you to a good place that guarantees you the most authentic Brazilian chick!"

"You go away, I don't know you!"

Don't look at them talking and laughing for a while, in just a few minutes, they will be opponents in the field.

As a midfielder, Gustavo, of course, has to keep an eye on Long Shut, who is a midfielder!

"Drop!"

The race is on!

-

"CCTV, CCTV, audience friends, what you are watching now is the opening match of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the host five-star champion Brazil team sits at home against the five-star red flag Chinese team!"

Duan Yixuan took off the suit he had just put on and put on a loose T-shirt and floral pants, which made him feel a little relaxed.

It's Brazil here, and it's going to heat you if you wear it so tightly!

"Let's take a look at the starting lineups of the two sides, the Chinese team, the goalkeeper is still Zeng Cheng, the defenders Zhang Linpeng, Li Xuepeng, Feng Xiaoting, Rong Hao, the two backs are Zheng Zhi and Zhao Xuri, in the front court, the captain Long Shute sits, the left and right wings are Artemisia Junmin and Wu Lei, Gao Lin as a single striker in the front, sitting in the coach's seat is the Spaniard Camacho.

The Brazilian team is goalkeeper Cesar, four defenders Alves, captain Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marcelo, three midfielders are Oscar, Paulinho, Gustavo, three forwards are Fred, Neymar, Hulk, and the coach is the meritorious veteran coach Scolari.

It may be a small pity that neither Ronaldinho nor Kaka, who had been very popular before, failed to make the squad. In addition, this should be the main squad that the Brazilian team can send at the moment, which shows that they also attach great importance to the Confederations Cup......"

Although these players are indeed the main Brazilian players, it has to be said that the Brazilian team after 2010 has always been a little starless.

It is true that many of these players play for giants such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Chelsea, but the configuration of the front court makes people have to sigh.

Fred is still fighting in Brazil at an age, Hulk has been panning for gold in Russia with his self-destructive future, and Neymar has not had time to prove himself, how can such a player be compared with the old-timers Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Kaka and others?

Even many Chinese fans share this mentality.

Five-star Brazil is no longer the powerful samba kingdom it used to be, and they are now at a low point in history, with the Chinese team of Longshute...... You may not be able to fight them!

The competition took place in such an atmosphere.

As if confirming most people's thoughts, the Brazilian team's offensive could not enter the Chinese team's penalty area from the middle, Long Shute, Zheng Zhi, and Zhao Xuri The three generals kept the opponent out of the door very strongly, and Brazil could only make a fuss through two wings.

In the 2nd minute, fullback Marcelo stepped forward on the left side, but he did not force the right side composed of Hao Junmin and Zhang Linpeng, but directly crossed vigorously!

He probably used a lot of force to pass the ball, and the ball flew in the air for almost 40 meters before hitting Fred in the face!

Fred almost burst into tears in pain, staggered backwards, and sat firmly on the line of the penalty area.

"Haha, Fred is choking on this ......"

Duan Yixuan laughed directly, but before his laughter fell, he couldn't laugh anymore.

The ball bounced off Fred's face, and Neymar followed up with a burst shot that rounded his right leg!

"Bang!"

Chinese goalkeeper Zeng Cheng reacted quickly enough, but he had just taken a step to the right, and before he could stretch his hands to the highest, he saw a white shadow fly into the goal by grazing the goalpost!

In less than 3 minutes of the opening game, Brazil led by one goal!