Chapter 35: The Penalty Shootout Ends
"He did it! And it did! Dutchman Van Bronckhorst's penalty was saved by him again. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 infoIn the first three rounds of the penalty shootout, Arsenal did not score a goal! Oh oh oh, look at his excited face. And here I have to say, 'Well done, boy! Next, as long as Gunnar Solskjaer doesn't miss a beat, United will finally lift the 2003 Community Shield. Who would have thought that this Asian boy, who was unanimously looked down upon by the outside world before the game, would become a well-deserved protagonist in the penalty shootout, the most shining person, single-handedly pushed Arsenal into the current desperate situation. Now, no matter what the outside world thinks of this Asian kid, I believe he will have a great future at Manchester United....."
Lineker's mouth couldn't stop praising Li Lei, and the appreciation in his tone was overflowing. But compared to the energetic Lineker, Alan Hansen, who sat next to him, seemed much quieter. In fact, since Pire's shot at the post, the Liverpool legend, who had been unoptimistic before the game, began to gradually become less talkative and his tone became weaker. Until now, the fans and viewers watching the TV broadcast can't hear him at all.
In fact, there are a lot of people who are in the same state as Alan Hansen at this time, or I should say that there are too many. Before the game, how many people expressed ridicule and disdain for Li Lei, and at this time, basically how many people were stunned and silent for Li Lei. None of them thought that this "absurd" scene, like the plot of a movie, would really be staged in front of their eyes.
At the moment, everyone else at the Millennium Stadium is quiet except for the personnel on the Manchester United side. Especially the Arsenal fans, who had been fighting against Li Lei with boos, angry scolding, and even miscellaneous objects, were completely quiet this time.
The shrill boos, the red-faced and angry scolding, and the debris flying all over the sky were all gone at this moment. Perhaps it was Li Lei's direct cause of Arsenal's frequent "death" saves this time, which hit them too hard. In the face of the crazy Li Lei, there were only a few sporadic boos in the stands of the Arsenal fans at this time, and they were simply overwhelmed.
Until the referee on duty came to invite Li Lei off the billboard, the Arsenal fans did not slow down. Compared to them who are so low and depressed, Manchester United fans are naturally going crazy. Before, they may not have any dislike for Li Lei, but some ideas that are not optimistic and questioning are still unavoidable.
It's just that after Li Lei made wonderful performances in the penalty shootout one after another, and made celebratory actions and behaviors that reflected his strong and distinctive personality characteristics, they immediately threw their previous views and impressions of Li Lei out of the clouds. At the Red Devils, as long as there is enough quality, being a maverick is never a problem.
It is even said that Manchester United fans themselves prefer those who have strong personalities. From the dashing George Best, to the arrogant King Cantona, to the now-infamous iron-blooded captain Keane, these great names have proven that at the Red Devils, personality is never an obstacle to a player's love here.
This point is naturally the same for Li Lei. In fact, at this time, many Manchester United fans who were watching this Community Shield match began to like the bad boy Li Lei with his colorful green hair. Other Manchester United fans, even those who have not yet been fully conquered by Li Lei, are beginning to change their impression of him and have greater expectations for his future.
In such a situation, I don't know who started it, anyway, the sound of shouting Li Lei's surname suddenly began to sound in the stands of Manchester United fans, and it became louder and louder, louder and louder. It was like the virus spreading, and soon after, the entire United fans in the stadium stood up and started chanting "Lee".
"Lee! Plum! Plum! ..........”
The sound resounded over the Millennium Stadium for a long time. This is the reward for the wonderful performance of Li Lei by Manchester United fans, and it is also the beginning of their formal recognition of Li Lei as a member of the Red Devils.
After hearing this voice, Li Lei, who was still smiling disdainfully just now, and admired Arsenal's low expression, immediately turned his head in surprise to look at the red stands surging in the distance. Then, his pupils dilated, and he was stunned.
As a thug living in a slum, a person who has always lived in the strange eyes of the outside world, Li Lei can't describe his feelings in words at the moment. He felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and a shuddering excitement of electric shock began at his tail vertebrae and struck him directly at the back of his head.
At this moment, the goosebumps all over his body stood up.
This magical feeling of being light and feeling full of strength made him intoxicated at once, and those depressed Arsenal fans were completely forgotten.
Football.... For a moment, he couldn't help but squint his eyes slightly, made a gesture of enjoyment, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously brought a happy smile, instead of the cold and disdainful smile in the past.
A kind of happiness called football, at this moment, began to slowly take root in Li Lei's heart.
However, Li Lei did not enjoy it for long. Because, although Arsenal has indeed stepped over the edge of the cliff with one foot, the penalty shootout is not really over after all, and Manchester United needs to score another penalty to send Arsenal on the last journey.
It wasn't until the world-famous super-substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stood in front of the penalty spot that the Arsenal fans, who had just been in a state of frustration, seemed to come to their senses and think about it. Despite knowing that the possibility of a rebirth was almost non-existent, they tried to boo and make their final contribution to the team.
But it's too difficult, and it's an impossible task to turn back Manchester United, who are known for their mental toughness, in this situation. Perhaps, Arsenal fans also know this, which is why their boos at the moment will sound so weak and lacking in confidence.
In the end, the miracle didn't happen.
After the referee's whistle, the Norwegian baby-faced striker, who never let United fans down, completely penetrated Lehmann's 10 fingers with a solid flat shot. Although the German goalkeeper saved Ruud van Nisney's penalty in the first round of the penalty shoot-out, at this moment, he could not prevent the final fate of Arsenal's defeat.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!! The ball is in! The ball is in!! The game is over! The game is over!! The 2003 Community Shield belonged to Manchester United, who won 3-0 on penalties against old rivals Gunners Arsenal. Although the dreary regular season and extra time were very disappointing for us. But the next penalty shootout gave us the biggest surprise. This will be a penalty shoot-out that will go down in the history of the Community Shield!
Young Chinese goalkeeper Ray Lee, who came on in late extra-time as a substitute for American goalkeeper Howard, was the biggest contributor to their victory, not only saving two penalties beautifully, but also successfully knocking out Piret with psychological warfare techniques. No matter how his career develops after that, at the very least, the beginning of his career is perfect! .....' After seeing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer score the winning penalty, Lineker began to sum up excitedly.
At the same time, the Millennium Stadium has become a stage for Manchester United's frenzied celebrations. It may have been a dull and inexciting game, but it was such a hard-earned victory that brought smiles to the faces of United's superstars. Among them, especially the Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who missed the penalty in the first round of the penalty shootout, was particularly excited.
Amid the loud singing of Manchester United fans, Manchester United players began to hug each other in celebration. The underdog Arsenal players and fans have begun to retire from the pitch and do not want to see the excitement of the Manchester United again.
As for Li Lei, he is slowly walking towards Ferguson on the sidelines at the moment, wanting to give this old coach whom he has always respected very fiercely a hard hug.
However, when he reached the vicinity of Ferguson, he suddenly stopped where he was. Because, he saw Ferguson, who was smiling with a wrinkled face, shaking hands with a pale Wenger, and still talking about something.
Although he couldn't hear what he said, just looking at Wenger's frighteningly white dead face, Li Lei knew that this old man must not have said anything good. Even if it is a good story, it is a lie. It was time for Ferguson to enjoy the victory, so he didn't walk up and bother.
It wasn't until Arsene Wenger walked into the tunnel and left that Ferguson turned around that he walked up slowly.
As soon as he saw him, Ferguson also greeted him with a smile and gave Li Lei a big hug. Although due to the height difference between the two, it looks more like a strange picture of Ferguson burying his head in Li Lei's arms, but the happy mood of the two congratulating each other is very real.
"Good job, boy! If you dare to look bad, I'll let you walk back to Manchester by yourself. But don't be too proud, you can play like this today, but there is a lot of luck. "Ferguson is Ferguson in the end, even when congratulating Li Lei, he didn't forget to knock two sentences, so as not to make Li Lei faint with joy.
In this regard, Li Lei just nodded and did not say anything else. Although he is very excited now, he has not gotten carried away, and he has always been very clear about his strengths and weaknesses and strength level.
He smiled and changed the subject: "What did you say to that old French man?" When he left, he looked very bad. ”
As soon as he said this, Ferguson's face completely smiled, and he said proudly like a naughty child: "I just asked him, I don't think you are mature enough, after watching your performance, what can I point to you?" ”
After hearing this, Li Lei immediately laughed as proudly as Ferguson. He still remembers how Arsene Wenger commented on himself in front of the media before the game, and at this time, what is the difference between asking such a question and slapping him in the face?
Well, this old and young are indeed a perfect match, and they both have bad water in their stomachs.
At the same time, I don't know when, Ferguson and Li Lei are already crowded with reporters. The flashing lights were flashing at them, and the microphones and recorders were already being passed to their mouths, and their ears were filled with the eager, noisy questions of reporters.
"Mr. Ferguson, what do you think of Lee's performance in the penalty shoot-out?"
"Towards the end of overtime, why didn't you switch to Carroll and opt for a more risky option?"
"Will Lee stay in United's first-team squad for the new season?"
"Lee, what did you say to Pire in the penalty shootout?"
"What do you think of Patrick Vieira's spoon penalty?"
"What do you think of your frantic celebrations in the penalty shoot-out, are you humiliating Arsenal?"
........
Among these many problems, although there are still many digging holes and stirring up relations, it is much better than the treatment Li Lei received at the press conference.
In any case, this can be regarded as a little goodwill exuded by the media to Li Lei.
It's just that Li Lei doesn't care about this, just like he thought before, he has already vented enough in the penalty shootout, but he didn't open his mouth at this time to help these annoying reporters make money.
So, naturally, this little kindness didn't get into their eyes at all.
Looking at the reporters around him, his face, which was still smiling just now, suddenly turned cold, and the corners of his mouth brought that cold, disdainful smile again, and his eyes became cold, looking at them disdainfully.
As soon as his cold, prickly appearance came out, the reporter who was still making a fuss just now was suddenly frightened and quieted down by him.
Seeing this, he smiled disdainfully, and then said coldly: "I don't dare to speak stupidly." ”
After saying that, he didn't care about the shocked looks of the reporters, and directly turned around and squeezed out of the reporters' encirclement, leaving Ferguson alone and leaving.
By the time the reporters reacted and began to angrily denounce Li Lei again, he had already gone away.
Only a tall back, a back as straight as a spear pointed to the sky.
An unruly back!