The first match of the knockout round of the World Cup, Brazil VS Japan.

Throughout the game, the attitude of the media and the fans was almost unanimous, and they all agreed that Brazil would win.

Even Xiao Ri said before the game that they were playing with a learning mentality.

Don't mention the rest, the youth training of the small day is really awesome!

From the former third-rate in Asia, they gradually began to benchmark the performance of European powerhouses, and even when playing against those top teams, they were able to put on wonderful performances.

At first, he was technical and pass-control, but he soon learned from experience and began to follow the routine of defensive counterattack and high pressing, always following the tactical pace of the top team.

This has also led to the gradual rise of Japanese football, to the first level of Asia, and even beyond the level of Asia.

Of course, the current Japanese team cannot compete with the top teams in Europe, let alone the five-star Brazil.

Although Brazil has bid farewell to the Ronaldo, Cafu, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho periods, the strongest Brazil.

But there are still stars such as Kaka and Robinho in the lineup.

In addition, Kaka, who has completed the transformation and is gradually moving towards the organizational route, sits in the midfield, combing the rhythm of Brazil, which is a little more powerful than the original time and space.

"Kaka's split ball is so reasonable!"

Modric couldn't help but admire.

During his time at Milan, Kaka was a striker, but in this game, after returning to the national team, Kaka took on the role of a midfield brain.

He no longer pushes deliberately, but uses his passing, vision and big picture vision to constantly connect attacks for the team.

Sometimes, when there is an opportunity, Kaka can also switch to burst mode in an instant, causing chaos in the Japanese team's backline.

Robinho on the flanks is also eyeing him all the time.

In this situation, in the 12th minute of the game, the Brazilian team helped Robinho open an attacking corridor on the side through Kaka's tandem attack, and instantly burst into the Japanese team's penalty area.

Robinho's danger in the penalty area increased dramatically, and combined with Japan's panicked defence, Robinho opened the scoring with ease.

Seeing this, Modric sighed: "Brazil is not easy to deal with!" ”

Everyone also nodded in agreement.

Brazil's strength lies in its coherence and in their heritage.

The tactics they play are fundamentally different from European football.

At present, Brazilian football has not been touched by Europe, and it still retains its own unique style, which is also the most troublesome thing for European teams to encounter them.

The future of Brazilian football, whose roots were destroyed, blindly began to seek Europeanized tactics and eventually lost its identity.

In the face of this situation, European teams can be said to be holding the handle, and Brazil is gradually declining.

The 2014 World Cup was Brazil's biggest challenge.

The 90-minute game was over.

Brazil easily defeated Japan 2-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Suke saw the shot, and Kaka was smiling happily.

According to the original time and space, Kaka was 'elbowed' by Ivory Coast player Keita in the group stage, and two yellows turned into one red and left the field.

In this World Cup, this is not the case.

Some things don't happen.

But there are some things, and it is bound to happen.

In the second match, Uruguay played England.

Until the 88th minute of the second half, Uruguay led England 2-1.

And in the 89th minute, in the face of a Lampard pick, the goalkeeper could not retreat to save, Suarez actually pushed the ball out with his hands directly at the goal line.

"it!"

Seeing this scene, Su Ke was stunned.

Only then did he remember that the famous 'Suarez's criminal handball' in the original time and space led to Ghana's World Cup elimination.

And after that game, Suarez also became Ghana's most hated person.

It's just that this time Sukyare faced England and staged the same handball foul.

Su Ke was directly stunned.

Suarez!

If England didn't score this penalty, would you still be going to Liverpool?

But Lampard is still solid!

In the face of penalties, he scored calmly and dragged the game into extra-time.

With Uruguay playing one man less, the extra time period began to run out, and in the second half of extra time, Gerrard scored with a World Cup strike.

England defeated Uruguay 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Uruguay lost the game and Suarez's handball failed to pay off.

The others didn't feel much about it, but Su Ke grinned at it.

If Suarez succeeds in interfering with England, then Suarez will not want to join Liverpool.

The Liverpool team had to tear him apart.

The first day of the knockout rounds is over.

But it still makes the fans feel refreshed.

Brazil's match against Japan was not very hot.

However, the intense match between Uruguay and England was a delight to watch.

Especially after Uruguay took the lead, Suarez handballed, Frank Lampard scored a penalty, Gerrard scored in extra time and so on, England struggled to win the game.

And this victory is a warning to other teams.

The knockout stage is not a group stage, and any small problem can affect the outcome of the game.

"Sleep! Sleep! ”

Suke got up and stretched.

The others also walked out of the conference room.

"It's so thrilling!"

'There's too much pressure on Frank Lampard, if you can't get that goal, England will be finished!'

"Suarez was almost torn apart by the England fans!"

"He's not playing in England, what's he's afraid of!"

Dujmović looked at Pranic and said; "Do you dare?"

"Fuck, that's what you're asking!" Pranic grinned.

To be honest, he doesn't know, but he should subconsciously make handball moves, but he will definitely lose his job after that.

However, when it comes to the World Cup stage, there are some things that you don't have time to think about at all, and they are all subconscious actions.

"Tomorrow is our game, sleep well tonight, tomorrow is a tough battle!"

Srna watched as everyone returned to their rooms, and then returned to their rooms.

But it wasn't long before Srna crept out of the room again.

He glanced left and right down the quiet hallway, and then came to the room at the end.

Knock knock!

Srna knocked softly on the door.

"What for?"

Suke's voice could be heard from inside.

"Open the door!" Srna said softly.

Squeak!

Suke opened the door, and the room was very bright.

Srna walked in quickly and sighed; "Fuck! I'm nervous to death, and I can't sleep."

When Srna walked in, the room was full.

Mandzukic, Rakitic, Duimovic, Vukojevic and many more.

"You guys?" Srna was stunned.

Mandzukic shrugged: "Just like you!" ”

Su Ke climbed into his bed and sat down, pointed at the crowd and said angrily: "Look at your unproductive appearance, a World Cup quarter-final is so nervous, how will you play in the future?" ”

"And you." Sook looked at Srnadao; "It's a shame that they are all acquaintances here, knowing what virtues you have, and making other teammates feel that the captain is so cowardly, how should they deal with themselves?"

"The captain is also human!" Srna sighed; "I'm going to be nervous too."

With that, he looked at the other bed, where Modric was lying on his side, breathing very evenly.

"Luca has a big heart!"

"!" Su Ke scolded angrily, picked up the pillow and threw it over: "Don't pretend to be asleep!" ”

Modric awkwardly stood up.

"How do you know I'm not asleep?"

Suk didn't have a good airway; "You're asleep, grinding your teeth and farting!"

Su Ke finished scolding, and then sighed; "Anyway, what do you want to do?"

Everyone looked at each other.

Srna said: "Let's talk, we haven't talked for a long time!" ”

"What are you talking about?"

Suke asked.

Srna asked after a moment's silence; "What is the most memorable World Cup for you?"

Everyone looked at each other and said almost in unison: "1998!" ”

Modric smiled: "I remember that we were still in a hotel in Salgeb, we didn't have a house, the family was crammed into a small room of ten square meters, my father bought a radio, and I also knew that Croatia had reached the World Cup semi-finals!" ”

"I'm watching TV, not my TV, of course, it's my neighbor's TV!" Mandzukic reminisces: "It was a really warm atmosphere. ”

Srna nodded, "I also learned about it through the radio. ”

Most of them were like that, but Suke didn't say anything.

"What about you?"

Srna asked.

Su Ke touched his chin and said seriously; "Probably I'm rummaging through the trash!"

"Rummaging through the trash can?" Modric exclaimed; "Aren't you in a welfare home?"

"The welfare home is poor to death, only a piece of bread every day, not enough to divide at all, and if you don't go through the garbage can, you will starve to death!" Suke shrugged.

Mandzukic; "Didn't you watch the World Cup?"

"Look a fart!" Suke said with a thumbs up; "I remember there was a tavern next to the welfare home, and during the World Cup, there were plenty of garbage cans."

Srna shook his head: "Forget it, let's not talk about this, let's talk about our first meeting!" ”

"That's it!" Mandzukic smiled and pointed at Suke and said, "At the beginning, this guy was not flat, he was so small, and he always looked like a. ”

Suke squinted his eyes and looked over.

Mandzukic grinned, his momentum weakened a little: "But after a few games, this guy is really awesome!" ”

Rakitic; "I'm not in the same phase as you, but Su Ke was really indebted at the time!"

"You're even more fucking indebted!" Dujmovich laughed and scolded; "You guy just turned from Basel's youth training, and no one looks down on him, until you are poured a lot of balls by our main players, you are honest!"

Hearing this, Rakitic's face turned slightly red.

Who hasn't been young and frivolous.

"Seven years have passed before I know it!" Vukojevic laughed; "We've known each other for seven years, and it feels like time flies!"

"When we played for Dinamo Zagreb, we were all about the Champions League. Dujmovic looked at Suker, Luka Modric and Srna and said: "There are three Champions League winners now. ”

Su Ke held up two fingers: "Four!" I count two! ”

Everyone rolled their eyes angrily.

"At that time, we still wanted to enter the national team together, and now we have won the European Championship and are hitting the knockout stage of the World Cup." Mandzukic smiled; "If you go back to seven years ago and tell yourself at that time how awesome we will be in the future, I guess you can see very interesting expressions."

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other, and they couldn't help laughing.

After laughing and chatting, everyone's mood is also slightly relaxed.

"Can we win the World Cup?" Mandzukic asked suddenly.

The room was suddenly quiet.

"Who knows?" Srna shrugged and pointed to Sukedao; "But Suker will definitely take it!"

Su Ke was curious: "What do you say?" “

Srna smiled: "It's just feeling, feeling like you can do it." ”

Suker waved his hand; "Okay, it's been an hour, it's time to go to bed, stop talking this nonsense, won't you play tomorrow?"

Seeing Su Ke driving away, everyone shook their heads helplessly and left.

They also knew that they had talked enough and that it was time to go to bed.

Wait for everyone to leave the room.

Suker and Modric turned off the lights and lay down to sleep.

It was quiet inside the house.

Modric rolled back and forth, and suddenly said, "Suke, I think the same thing as Srna. ”

purr~~~~

Modric grinned.

This guy fell asleep so soon!

Modric shook his head, got up and lifted the curtains to look outside.

In the dark night, the stadium not far away emitted a faint glow.

Tomorrow, they will play the knockout round of the World Cup there.

Modric thinks the same thing as Srner.

He also thinks Suker can definitely win the title, but. He also hopes that this title will be won with them.

No one should be left behind

"Get up! Get up! ”

At eight o'clock in the morning, Suke began knocking on doors from room to room until they woke up.

Finally, he knocked on Srna's door.

Srna was sleepy-eyed: "What time is it?" ”

"It's eight o'clock!" Suk didn't have a good airway; "You can still sleep so well on game day, do you all have such big hearts?"

"We're sleeping late!" Srna yawned.

After a while, the Croatian players began to get up one after another, wash up, and then go to the cafeteria for breakfast.

The pre-match tension has not yet spread, or rather, has not yet fully reacted.

As they walked out of the hotel and onto the stadium, the cheers of the fans, the media attention and the facilities in the stadium all told them that the knockout round of the World Cup was approaching.

And this completely awakens their bodies and states.

At the same time, the same situation is on the Portuguese side.

Cristiano Ronaldo's face was extremely heavy, and when they drew Croatia, his face never relaxed.

Of all the group winners, Croatia is definitely the most difficult team to play if you are careful about the ranking.

But they were so unlucky to draw Croatia.

Of course, Ronaldo also suspects that there is a secret operation in the FIFA draw, but he can't care about it.

On paper, Portugal is still much worse than Croatia.

Suker and Luka Modric alone are a huge headache.

One is his own fierce rival.

The other is a teammate at the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo knows all too well how capable these two guys are, and when they are combined, Croatia's performance in the group stage says it all.

But it's not just about the lineup.

The form of the game and other aspects are key.

For example, Portugal played the North Korean massacre in the group stage, and their form is also getting hotter.

Compared to before the start of the World Cup, they have improved and grown significantly.

Therefore, Ronaldo believes that they are not without hope of winning their opponents.

"In the group stage, Suker plays Messi, in the quarterfinals, Suker plays Ronaldo!" There was some sarcasm in Simão's words.

He was not reconciled.

After all, the game went from a team battle to an individual battle.

Except for Suker and Ronaldo, the rest of the people seem to have become background boards, and it is no wonder that they can be happy.

'Don't say that, we want to beat Croatia and Ronaldo's play is crucial!'

Just as Souk is to Croatia, Cristiano Ronaldo is to Portugal.

"Alright, boys, it's time for us to get ready and head to the court!" Portugal coach Fernando. After Santos finished shouting, he patted Ronaldo's shoulder alone, and the weight was vividly expressed.

Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely Portugal's sharpest spear at the moment.

Whether or not they can beat Croatia has a lot to do with Ronaldo's performance.

A short time later, they rode in a vehicle to the race venue.

Cape Green, Cape Town, South Africa.

Cape Town, also known as the 'Cape City', is located in the lowest sharp part of Africa, next to the Cape of Good Hope.

The whole area is covered with rolling mountains, and the only place near the sea is a flat land.

The city is also located in this area.

Cape Green is right next to the cliffs of the adjacent sea, and when you come here, you can enjoy the sweet sea breeze and the dark clouds rolling in the sky.

The weather here is like this all year round, and even in the stadium, there are occasional high winds that can change the trajectory of the ball.

During the warm-up, Suker watched the ball spin around in the air, and it was difficult to judge where it landed.

He turned to Srna and said: "If we can get the left half, if it's a tailwind, we'll focus on attack, and if it's a headwind, we'll be defensive. ”

Srna nodded: "That's what I thought too. ”

Attacking against the wind, the ball simply can't fly far.

Coupled with interference, it is difficult to judge where the ball will land and what its trajectory will be.

In contrast, tailwinds are much better.

As long as you control the power, you can play a relatively smooth long pass.

As for the counter-attack against the wind, Croatia has to take more short passes on the ground, which is also to reduce mistakes and not easily lose the ball.

So, choosing sides is key, and with such weather, both Croatia and Portugal are the same.

They will all win the left half as much as possible to ensure that they are the first to attack.

Of course, if you have other ideas, such as attacking in the second half, then that's a different story.

Few teams do that, though!

Unless their bench presses a finale player, it can form a fierce impact in the second half.

(End of chapter)