When Yang Pan, who got up early, planned to wake up Zhang Jun with the reflection of the blade of the Swiss Army knife, he realized that Zhang Jun had already woken up, because his eyes were looking at him wide.

"Are you going to ask me if what happened yesterday was a dream?" Yang Pan asked.

Zhang Jun shook his head: "Why am I asking this?" I just wanted to ask when you got up. ”

"Get up at eight o'clock. I remember this time four years ago, didn't you lie in bed and tell me that you seemed to be still dreaming? Yang Pan played with the saber in his hand.

"Cut~ People will grow. Shibei three days, should be impressed. Not to mention four years? Isn't it a matter of course for us to qualify? What else is there to doubt? ”

Yang Pan sighed: "Yes, four years have passed in a flash. A lot has happened in the last four years, and now you're a European champion, a league champion, a cup champion......"

Zhang Jun sat up from the bed, he was naked, grabbed a T-shirt and put it on his body, and then looked at Yang Pan and smiled: "You won't still be haunted by the defeat in the Champions Cup, right?" ”

"Do you think I'm the kind of person with a small belly?" Yang Pan glanced at Zhang Jun, "Go wash your face and brush your teeth, look at your hair messy." If fans see a photo like you, they will definitely feel sad about the destruction of an idol. ”

Zhang Jun jumped out of bed and muttered: "Shattered, shattered, I didn't want to be an idol ......" and walked into the bathroom.

The sound of water soon sounded in the bathroom.

Yang Pan continued to play with the Swiss Army knife in his hand.

In four years, he was the only one with this saber by his side, and he went through two World Cups. Jang Jun is mature enough to carry a heavy enough load. Everyone has grown up and matured. Everybody isn't the boys they used to be, they're men.

***

In this World Cup, the luck of the Chinese team is not bad, because they can run a lot less unjust roads in the schedule. This saves a lot of energy. After playing three games in the group stage, they will not have to travel from Johannesburg to Cape Town, as Colombia did, but will only need to stay in Galletobia, where the third game will be held.

Their quarter-finals will be held here.

Speaking of the opponents of the Chinese team in the quarterfinals, the Chinese team is the first in Group G, and according to the group matchup situation of the organizing committee of the competition, they will play with the second in Group E.

The first place in Group E is Argentina. The second is Sweden. The Chinese team will face Nordic powerhouse Sweden in the administrative capital of South Africa.

Italy was eliminated in the group stage, which really set off a storm in world football. Of the eight seeds, South Africa, who were considered the most likely to be eliminated before the tournament, all reached the round of 16, while Italy, a strong team, was eliminated from the World Cup. This was the biggest upset since the start of the tournament.

The teams that qualified from Group A were Germany and Japan; Group B is qualified by Spain and Norway; Group C is qualified by the Netherlands and the Czech Republic; Group D: Brazil and Serbia and Montenegro; Group E: Argentina and Sweden; Group F: England and the United States; Group G: China and Colombia; Group H: France and South Africa.

Most of the teams that qualified were not unexpected, with only Italy's exit and Colombia's qualification being unexpected.

According to the rules of the organizing committee of the competition, the top 16 matchups are as follows:

Germany VS Czech Republic; Japan vs Netherlands; Spain vs Serbia and Montenegro; Norway VS Brazil; Argentina vs Colombia; Sweden VS China; England vs South Africa; USA VS FRANCE.

If China beat Sweden to advance, they will face England and South Africa in the quarter-finals, which will be a very exciting opponent.

Regarding Sweden, Qiu Suhui made a more detailed understanding. There is a special person on the coaching staff of the Chinese team, who is not responsible for daily training. He is also not responsible for arranging the formation, and his task is to collect all the team information that may become the opponent of the Chinese team.

As for the current Swedish team, Zhang Jun knows the goalscorer Kalasimovic who can only play for Juventus, and the central defender Andreira who is on the same team as himself. Svensson, and Ljungberg, who is looking to retire at Arsenal.

As for the earlier generation of Larson and others. Long since decommissioned.

Sweden's head coach is still very characteristic of the duo of managers, Lagerbeck and Sedberg. Since the 2000 European Championships, the two have been working together for ten years now, and in the history of national team coaching, there are very few managers who can coach a team for ten years, and even fewer who can coach for ten years together. Therefore, the tacit understanding between these two managers is not generally good.

Although the current Swedish team is not as good as the previous team in terms of the number and quality of stars, Qiu Suhui has no intention of taking it lightly, his idea is that he can only enter the knockout stage, and any opponent must take it seriously. There can be some tactical and strategic leeway in the group stage, but the knockout stage is a winner-or-lose game. But there is only one road in Huashan.

Now the Chinese team is arrogant, and Qiu Suhui is afraid that they will not take the Swedish team seriously. In weekday training, he and Hu Li kept instilling in the players the concept that Sweden is not weak, and there is no weak team in the World Cup. Especially for the team that can enter the knockout stage, if they don't take it seriously because they have few stars in the team and are not famous, then they will only suffer in the end.

***

After all, this is not the first time they have entered the round of 16 of the World Cup, and with their current strength, it is a matter of course to enter the top 16.

The most talked about was not Sweden, but the just-concluded match against Italy and the possible opponent in the quarter-finals, England.

Sweden has been overlooked by most people.

In fact, this game is not without interest, after all, Sweden's leading striker is Juventus's main striker - Ikasimovic.

He and Zhang Jun compete for the title of top scorer in Serie A every season, although they have never won against Zhang Jun. But personal strength should not be underestimated. Moreover, although his performance in the league is not as good as Zhang Jun, who can guarantee that he will not explode in the small universe in the World Cup?

At this moment, Zhang Jun is lamenting to Yang Pan that there are so many acquaintances in the World Cup, and he can meet one or two acquaintances in almost every game. Let's not talk about the match against Italy. It felt like playing Serie A.

"There's nothing to worry about, huh." Yang Pan is calling Yilan, Yilan is about to give birth, and he calls home more frequently. It is said that his mother will also be rushing to Italy from China in the near future to take care of Yilan, who is expecting to give birth. After all, there are some things that are not as convenient for big men to do as women as they are.

Yi Lan was asking him about the upcoming match, and Yang Pan patted his chest to make a promise to Yi Lan. "It's all old acquaintances. We know them as well as we know ourselves. Ikasimovich's little look, see how I clean him up. ”

Hearing Yang Pan talking so much, Zhang Jun grimaced beside him.

Waiting for Yang Pan to put down the phone, Zhang Jun said to him slowly: "We are familiar with them as we are familiar with ourselves, and in turn, they are familiar with us as they are familiar with themselves." ”

"What's this? Everyone worked hard during the game, and everyone got together for coffee after the game. Yang Pan said naturally, as if what was in his mouth was normal—in fact, it was.

Yang Pan set his sights on the table again, and only they and Japan qualified in Asia. However, looking at the opponent, the Japanese team wants to go further, and I am afraid it will be very difficult. In fact, he has been looking forward to playing Japan in the World Cup, of course, in the knockout round, and then knocking Japan out.

Brazil's opponent is Norway. A long, long time ago, it was a matter of the last century, and Norway was known as Brazil's nemesis. But now Norway has long lost that kind of strength, and Kaka should be able to pass easily.

"Kaka hasn't been in touch with us for a long time, and I don't know how he is." Zhang Jun muttered to himself.

"Let's be happy...... Yang Pan muttered.

***

"Yikes! Kaka! Kaka! ”

"He's seen it! He smiled at me! Oh God...... His smile is so bright! ”

"Kaka! I love you! I'm going to marry you!! ”

……

"Those women are so annoying!" Baptista glared at the female fans who were shouting on the sidelines of the training ground.

"Julio, you're naked!" Kaka smiled at Baptista.

"Hmph, I really should let those female fans see the real you, Kaka. I'm going to expose it to the fans. ”

"Oh. Dear Julio. Do you think they're going to believe what you say, or what I say? Kaka turned to the fans with a big smile and screamed on the sidelines.

"What's this, it's just to be handsome. I think Xiao Luo and I must have a common language. Baptista said disdainfully.

As soon as the words fell. Ronaldinho hit the crossbar with a long-range shot, sticking out his tongue in embarrassment and scratching his head. Suddenly there was another scream on the sidelines: "Wow! Xiao Luo is so cute! Love him to death! ”

Baptista stopped talking, and black lines began to appear on his face.

Kaka patted him sympathetically: "Look away, people's little Luoluo is not ugly, it's cute." Julio, your shortcoming is that you're too fierce, you know? Smile ......" Kaka reached out to grin Baptista, but he gave up when he saw Baptista's smile. "Forget it, it's more ugly for you to laugh than to cry, it will frighten the child. Forget it, Julio you don't have the talent to become an idol, alas! ”

Kaka deliberately let out a heavy last sigh and shook his head and walked away. That back made Baptista look straight at it.

Looking at the relaxed atmosphere of the training in the Brazilian team, the reporters all felt that it was not difficult for Brazil to win Norway, Brazil were placed in the top half of the bracket, and they were seen as the most promising team in the top half of the bracket to reach the final, because they were talented and because they were so star-studded.

Many Brazilian journalists have in their minds who their home country's opponents will be, and in their opinion, the final against Argentina and beating them is the perfect ending.

If Brazil can meet Argentina in the final. Then it can really be said that it is God's arrangement.

Although Kaka wears the number 11, his position in the team is an authentic striker. Ronaldinho has to give him his place, because Ronaldinho has more free position, he wanders in front of the midfielders and forwards. The Brazilian team's frontcourt attack is like that in the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, which is more liberal, and it all depends on the cooperation and individual skills of Robinho and Adriano, Ronaldinho, and Kaka. The advantage of this kind of offense is that it is more free, so that the opposing defenders and coaches are not sure, and it is difficult to make targeted defenses. What's down...... Basically, the effect of this attack depends on the state of the participants...... If you're in good shape, you can not only win. It can also make the fans scream for 90 minutes. Bad condition? Appreciation value is gone, and the loss may be great.

There was once a fear that the presence of Kaka and Ronaldinho would undermine Brazil's tactics, after all, there is no room for two tigers. But Dunga, the current head coach of the Brazilian team, has solved this problem perfectly.

Dunga was known for the Iron Bowl when he was a player, and the Brazilian team with him was extremely disciplined, and he had absolute authority over the team as captain, even the always unruly Romario was afraid of him for three points. Now that he has successfully transformed into a head coach, there has never been any discord in the star-studded Brazilian dressing room, and it has to be said that it has a lot to do with his management skills.

Of course, his authority is a factor in solving this problem. But not the most important factor. What's more important is that he completely liberated Ronaldinho and did not arrange any fixed position for him on the field, so as to give full play to Ronaldinho's excellent personal skills and strong overall situation, and his presence made Brazil's frontcourt attack full of variables.

And Kaka, a European-style midfielder, makes Brazil's attacks more impactful and fast. The characteristics of the two are fully displayed, and at the same time complement each other, the two can both organize attacks in the back, and can also rush to the front to act as a striker to attack the city. These characteristics are very headaches for opposing defenders.

Brazil today have a large group of talent, and at the same time have iron discipline, which is the most fearsome team. They played every game with the belief that they would win, vowed to win this World Cup, and the shame of four years ago.

"China and Brazil, the opponents in the quarter-finals are Nordic teams, and the two technical teams meet the power team. What will be the result? Since Kaka is Chinese, and he is also a friend of Zhang Jun, Yang Pan and others, Li Yan has always paid attention to Kaka, because Kaka pays attention to the Brazilian team.

Li Yan is like many media outlets. They are all optimistic that Brazil can reach the final. Most of the teams in the top half of the league are not strong, and the defending champions Germany won the championship by relying on home advantage, and they have lost too much to the current Brazil in terms of team strength and individual player strength. The situation in the first half is predictable, but the situation in the second half will be complicated. As for which team won the championship...... Li Yan can only be optimistic about Brazil for the time being, because it depends on the opponent in the final - it is added that Li Yan personally hopes that the Chinese team can break into the finals, especially from the perspective of national feelings, not to mention that Zhang Jun has already shouted the declaration of winning the championship at the airport, and he will not want to become a laughing stock of others in the future, right?

Before the World Cup, it is always popular to predict the winner, or to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the favourites, and one of them is often mentioned. Why can Brazil be the hottest title contenders instead of defending champions Germany? Except that they have the most geniuses on the planet, giants. There is another very important factor, even if it is superstition, which is a reason that cannot be ignored.

Eighteen World Cups have been held, and no team other than Brazil has ever won a World Cup held on a continent other than its own continent. Argentina's two World Cup titles have been won in the Americas, once at home and once in Mexico. Uruguay's World Cup winners are also in the Americas. The championships of European teams are also won in Europe, without exception.

At the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, it was Brazil who won the World Cup, the first team to win the World Cup on a non-home continent. In the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, Brazil won the eventual championship.

Whether it's superstition or experience, Brazil does have a huge psychological advantage in this regard. Other teams will not be able to adapt to a strange continent. But Brazil is the only one, and there is no problem.

It seems that there is only football, for them, everywhere is Brazil, everywhere is home.

***

Qiu Suhui showed the players the Swedish team from the qualifiers to the group stage, although there are video selections of the game, focusing on pointing out to the players that the current Swedish team is not a team that relies solely on physical strength, because they have a skilled striker like Ikasimovic.

Even Zhang Jun has to admit that if he only talks about the small skills at his feet, he may not be able to do better than this Swede who is 1.92 meters tall.

When it comes to technology, only Crewe is dismissive. In terms of personal skills, he is arrogant and arrogant, and he only serves one person in the world - Ronaldinho.

'If we play Sweden the same way we play as a power team, the result will definitely be unexpected. Qiu Suhui said to the team members seriously that he wanted to let this group know that the Swedish team was not a fish belly, and this game was not a cushion match for the quarterfinals.

"I think it's great to say something from the last game, so I decided to repeat it here. This is a phrase that you will remember in the future, both in the World Cup and in the rest of your career: maintain the necessary respect for your opponents and do not look down on them because they are weak. It seems that you are the ones who will suffer in the end. Therefore, this match against Sweden, you have to give it all your energy, and I can imagine that the game the day after tomorrow will be an easy game. ”

At the end of the tactical lesson, the players saw that it was still early. One by one, they gathered in the hotel to drink drinks and chat.

Several people in Florence naturally get together.

"Why do I always think Qiu Zhi is alarmist, is the Swedish team so good?" Xiang Tao said disdainfully, while fiddling with the straw in the cup.

'We don't know much about the Swedish team, so it's always good to be careful.' Zhang Jun said. Crewe next to him didn't say anything, and the two were used to Crewe being silent anytime and anywhere.

Although Xiang Tao is high-spirited, what Zhang Jun said is also very reasonable, and he can't refute it.

On the contrary, it was Crewe next to him who spoke: "The head coach is exaggerating, Sweden is not very strong now, the game the day after tomorrow, I will prove it to you." He took a sip of the drink from his glass. Even the ice cubes were chewed into ice slag.

Listening to the creaking sound, Xiang Tao still couldn't help but shiver in this heated bar.

***

In Qiu Suhui's room, Hu Li and Qiu Suhui were studying the tactics used by the Chinese team in the game the day after tomorrow, whether Sweden was strong or not. They know best, because they don't know how many times they've watched the video alone.

"Sweden's style of play is still based on strength, and although they have players like Ljungberg and Ikasimovic with great skills, Ljungberg is old after all, and he can't make any waves with just one Ikarazimovich. Lao Qiu, did you say too much in your tactics class tonight? I'm afraid that the players will make you say that you don't have confidence, and the knowledge is just an ordinary eighth-finals. Hu Li asked suspiciously.

Qiu Suhui laughed, "Why don't I know? But do you really think those kids are going to scare me in a few words? I just hope they don't underestimate the enemy, they must know it in their hearts. ”

"That's good, that's good...... Regarding our tactics, Lao Qiu, do you have any ideas? ”

Qiu Suhui looked confident: "Whether Sweden is a power type or a technology stream, we have enough ways to deal with them." ”

***

The day before the competition, Jang Jun decided to give Kaka a call, and he came up with a good idea. This move was also supported by Yang Pan. I haven't been in touch for a long time. Even if it's the World Cup, it shouldn't be. After all, if they want to be opponents, they have to meet in the final, and they don't have to worry about anything now.

When Jang Jun called Kaka, he was drinking drinks and chatting with his teammates in the bar, smiling at the beauties who frequently flattered him.

At this time, the mobile phone at hand rang.

Kaka moved his gaze to the phone, and the number showed that it was Zhang Jun calling.

He nodded apologetically to his teammates, then picked up the phone and walked out. Until I came to the outside of the hotel in one breath. He found a secluded corner before he answered the phone. At this time, Zhang Jun, who was waiting impatiently on the other side, was already planning to hang up the phone.

"Holy! I thought you weren't there! As soon as I connected the phone, I heard Zhang Jun's energetic voice.

"Nonsense, of course I'm going to find a secluded place to pick it up. It's so noisy inside the bar. When the time comes, you and I will shout at the top of our voices, you are not afraid of being treated as a psychopath, I am still afraid! "When chatting with Chinese friends, Kaka will automatically switch to Chinese. It's no wonder that he wants to avoid people, if this situation is seen by outsiders, he will be surprised how Kaka can speak Chinese.

"Say it. What's the matter with calling me? ”

Zhang Jun "cried" over there: "It's so heartless, I haven't been in touch for a long time, I want to call you to greet and greet, but you actually say that." ”

Kaka's face changed as he listened.

Over there, Zhang Jun seemed to be able to see Kaka's face, and immediately coughed: "Well, okay, no kidding." It's a coincidence that tomorrow our two teams will play on the same day. ”

"yes, that's a coincidence."

"I can't talk to you directly on the pitch right now, but I've found a more interesting way to play. Kaka, do you want to hear it? ”

Kaka became interested, he leaned back in the breakfast chair, and looked up at the stars in the night sky: "You say, I'm listening." ”

"If we want to play face to face. So you'll have to wait until the finals, right? ”

"Yes."

"Although I never doubt my own strength with you, it would be a bit boring to just wait until then, and I thought of a way to make it possible for us to play without meeting each other."

"How?"

'We have a couple of games to play before we meet each other. That's how it was in the game: we all had to try to win against each other, and we had to play well, not necessarily to score, but definitely not to sleepwalk. Do you know? To put it bluntly, in fact, we have to perform a little better against our respective opponents. It's a contest between us, what do you think? ”

Zhang Jun finished excitedly. Just waiting for Kaka's answer.

Kaka continued to look up at the starry sky, and he thought back and forth in his mind about Zhang Jun's proposal, which sounded like a good idea. This kind of secret battle is compared to a head-to-head duel. There is a stimulus that "no one else knows, but we know it in our own hearts". And those reporters will definitely be amazed by his and Zhang Jun's performance: "What happened to these two people?" Did they knock on the drug? Of course...... We can't say that......"

Thinking of this, Kaka laughed, and then said to Zhang Jun, "This is really a good suggestion, I like it." Okay, let's play it out on different courts. Zhang Jun, your opponent is me, and I will imagine the opponent in every game as yours. ”

Zhang Jun also smiled: "It's great, so am I." I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game. ”

"Haha, I'm looking forward to it too. Let's work together, Jun Zhang. Let this World Cup be a World Cup for the two of us! Kaka looked at the bright starry sky, and suddenly had such a pride - he wanted to be the brightest star in the starry sky, and whenever someone looked up at the starry sky, they could see him at first sight. He wants to permanently engrave his name on the World Cup, so that people will remember him when they recall the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

That Kaka who smiled at the beauties and was polite in front of everyone was not what he wanted to do. He has in his chest the dreams and blood that any man has.

***

"Norway was known as Brazil's nemesis a long time ago, but now it's not the same. It's not without a lot of suspense, don't put all your energy into this game, we have to think more long-term. Dunga went through that period, the period when Norway was known as Brazil's nemesis, and since the World Cup in '94, Brazil swept the world as the new world champion, and there was only one team they never won and lost, and that was Norway. At that time, Norway held high the banner of power-based play, and the style of play was tough, which made the Brazilian team with delicate skills very unbearable. But now it's different, more Brazilian players are panning for gold in Europe, and they have also brought some European style to Brazilian football, with a tough style, speed, and strength that are not inferior to the Europeans. This, combined with their natural technical style, has caused a headache for European teams.

"Don't drag me in this match, take out the opponent cleanly! Our goal is the World Champion! ”

Hearing Dunga say such a championship rhetoric, Kaka secretly clenched his fists. Today's match was the first time he and Zhang Jun had agreed to fight, and he didn't want to lose to Zhang Jun at the beginning.

****

After entering the knockout round, the match is arranged to play two matches on the same day, one in the upper half and one in the bottom half. The match between China and Brazil was very coincidentally scheduled on the same day.

Considering the location of the TV broadcast, the matches were not played at the same time. Brazil played first. The Chinese team kicks back.

The players of the Chinese team were early; Arriving at the stadium, they arrived early in the game of the Brazilian team, and they did not rush out to warm up, but sat in the dressing room one by one and watched the match in Bloemfontein on TV: Brazil vs Norway.

In line with the principle that all teams can be their own killers, Qiu Suhui let the players watch the whole game, just to understand each other more when they may meet in the future. Knowing oneself and knowing one's opponent will not be defeated in a hundred battles.

The commentary is in English, and the speed of speech is very fast. Most of the players didn't understand. However, this does not prevent them from watching the broadcast, football is their common language, and they do not need to comment, they can also understand it.

When the Brazilian yellow jersey appeared on the pitch, there was a huge cheer in the stands. This cheer was clearly transmitted to the ears of the Chinese team players through the developed satellite signal. For a long time, they thought that they should receive the most enthusiastic cheers because they have such popular players as Zhang Jun, Yang Pan, and Krewe, but they didn't expect that at this moment, they deeply realized what a mountain is higher than a mountain. The Brazilian team was greeted several times warmer than theirs. Most of the stadium was covered in yellow, and many neutral fans cheered the names of the Brazilian stars over and over again.

Zhang Jun clearly heard a female fan screaming Kakadi's name on the TV.

All the Chinese players were mostly shocked by the momentum of Brazil's appearance. Although Qiu Suhui and Hu Li have been watching the video of each team's games very hard, these playful players have not done their homework very well and rarely pay attention to the games of other teams.

Watching the Brazilian players come out of the tunnel one by one, the yellow jersey shining under the afternoon sun, Zhang Jun suddenly felt that this is the way a football king team should play - all eyes on it. Sandwich welcome. When will the Chinese team be able to play like this?

He narrowed his eyes and began to look at it.

He was awakened by cheers and applause, only to find that his teammates around him were clapping and some were standing up. Take a closer look at the TV screen: Kaka is cheering, and the subtitles that are typed out from the bottom of the screen are: BnayL1:2'34 -

"Holy, so fast?" Zhang Jun couldn't help but let out a sigh, and then everyone turned their heads to look at him with very disdain.

In order to hide his embarrassment, Zhang Jun coughed twice: "Ahem, how did you get in?" ”

"Long shot, how else can you get in? Cacatha's signature. Yang Pan replied. Looks like your words yesterday have had an effect. "He looked at Zhang Jun, and from the first second of the match, Kaka was acting like a drug...... Of course, we can't say that. I mean he did amazingly, you saw the goal was his second shot after the start of the game, and he had the first shot just thirty seconds into the game. ”

The English narrator on the TV was excitedly shouting, "It's amazing! It's wonderful! It's incredible! Kaka scored a goal for Brazil just two minutes and thirty-four seconds into the game! Before the game, people were saying that the power of Norway would become a major stumbling block on the road to Brazil's championship, but Kaka broke people's suspicions with his excellent form, two minutes and 34 seconds, this is the fastest goal in this World Cup so far! ”

Zhang Jun pouted, of course he hadn't forgotten what he said to Kaka last night. It seems that I have stimulated a very powerful character...... But isn't this a World Cup interesting? Kaka.

****

The goal was scored in the opening two minutes and 34 seconds, which was a wonderful start for Brazil.

Kaka excitedly raised his hands and looked up in thanks, his signature gesture of celebration, and he was soon surrounded by his teammates. Norway still have a lot of weight, and even the Brazilian players didn't expect them to have such a perfect start. Baptis excitedly patted Kaka's head and shouted, "You must have taken stimulants!" Ha ha! Ignoring this, what would happen if someone heard it.

After finally celebrating with his teammates, Kaka patted the Brazilian Football Federation logo on his chest hard, and then pointed at himself with a thumbs up to the camera.

Did you see it, Zhang Jun? Now I'm 1:0 ahead! Boy, take it!

****

Zhang Jun saw this scene in front of the TV, and the commentator kept guessing the meaning of Kaka's celebratory action, only Zhang Jun smiled bitterly that Kaka's performance was better than he expected, and now that the football is on his side, how can he face it?