Chapter 161 Scolari's Turtle Tactics (1)
Wang Li's goal pulled the England team back from the abyss of elimination and showed the fans around the world who were watching the game what it means to be a great team player.
Quick counterattack!!
Twelve seconds, just twelve seconds!!
The ball went across the entire field, from goalkeeper James all the way to the Portuguese net!!
This extremely efficient counterattack even stunned the two head coaches on the bench on both sides of the field. During the whole process, they didn't even have time to react. It was just a matter of time to lower their heads and say a few words. For example, Scolari was just discussing the post-match press conference with assistant coach Martel...
However, in a flash, he was no longer in this mood.
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After scoring the goal, Wang Li started running frantically from the Portuguese goal towards the west stand. While running, he performed two somersaults, which caused the applause and cheers from the fans in the stands and ushered in a new **!
This is his fifth goal in this European Cup, and another priceless goal!
At this time, Eriksson on the sidelines was so excited that his face turned red. He thought the team was about to fail, and he was ready to endure the rebuke from fans and the media, even though he had achieved the bottom line given by the English Football Association - reaching the quarterfinals.
But now, he has another chance to change the history of the England team!
Yes, change history!
Since the 1954 World Cup, England has never defeated the host in a major tournament: in the European Cup group stage four years ago, England was reversed by Portugal 3-2 after leading by two goals; and in the World Cup two years ago, the Brazilian team led by current Portuguese coach Scolari conceded the first goal and had one player sent off, but still defeated Eriksson's England team 2-1. The last time England beat Portugal in a major tournament was in the 1966 World Cup held on home soil.
And now, they have another chance.
After calming down, Eriksen immediately turned his head to look at the bench. He was going to use the last substitution: Campbell off, Bridge on, and at the same time the Portuguese team also raised the substitution sign: Costinha off, Simao on.
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"Oh, he has a great body! He can actually do that kind of action!" In the VIP box, the big sister Victoria looked at Rita with envy, and then teased: "Is it like this in **?"
Rita was stunned for a moment, then immediately reacted, her face flushed with shame, "We didn't..."
"I know, you're just his agent!" Victoria affirmed.
"Puchi...!" The women around all laughed, which made Rita even more embarrassed. Just like Wang Li, she was also thinking at this time: 'It wouldn't matter if we really did something, but we really just slept in each other's arms...', did nothing really happen?
Fortunately, however, these gossiping women immediately turned the topic to other people, such as the new member Furtado, because Bridget finally came on as a substitute...
'His martial arts skills...are really good?'
Rita blinked her big eyes and looked at the excited black-haired boy in the field, thinking shyly.
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The characteristic of the Silver Ball system is that both teams must play the entire first half of overtime. If the first half is decided, there is no need to play the second half of overtime. This system was introduced by the European Football Association in 2002 and implemented in February 2003. This European Cup adopted this system.
After 90 minutes of play, the score was 2:2, which brought the two teams back to square one. They were about to enter overtime and use the silver ball system to decide the winner.
At this point, the players of both teams have almost no physical strength left. Perhaps the next game will be more of a test of perseverance!
Five minutes passed in a flash, and the players from both teams took their positions again, waiting for the referee to blow the whistle.
Wang Li looked at Irving who was panting beside him, feeling a little worried, "Michael, are you okay?" Irving's physical fitness has always been a weakness, and now he has to play the entire game and even have to go through at least 15 minutes of overtime. How can he continue to play?
Owen looked up and smiled, then took two deep breaths with his mouth open, then waved his hands to indicate that he was fine.
"Please pass the ball to me when you get it. I have plenty of energy!"
"Yeah, okay!" Owen gave Wang Li a thumbs up, indicating that there was no problem.
"Beep..." With a whistle, the overtime period began.
Portugal attacked first, and after a few passes, the ball immediately reached England's half, but Phil Neville tripped C. Ronaldo who was trying to break through on the wing. The referee Collina gave him a yellow card, but this yellow card was worth it because it effectively stopped the rhythm of Portugal's attack. Even captain Beckham gave Phil a thumbs up.
Sometimes, fouling is also an art...
Costa took a set-piece and passed it directly to C. Ronaldo, who passed it to the penalty area. Postiga in the penalty area tried hard to squeeze out of position and shot the ball, but the ball hit Terry in the face! Postiga immediately complained to Collina about Terry's handball, but received no response.
Portugal took a corner kick from the left side. Gomez headed the ball from 7 meters in front of the goal, but Gary Neville, who was guarding the back post, headed it away.
As soon as the overtime started, the Portuguese team showed its offensive fangs and launched a series of attacks around the England goal. This was Scolari's tactic, using offense to destroy the opponent. As long as they could score a goal, the Portuguese team would basically secure the victory. He didn't want to drag it to the end of overtime, because then the game would be out of his control.
Obviously, Eriksen thought so too. He hurried to the sidelines and gestured, telling the players to strengthen their attack!
On the field, as the game progressed, the situation on the field gradually got out of Scolari's control. This was because England's No. 21 black-haired boy was too threatening!
Wang Li came on in the second half, so he still had plenty of energy. But now, most of the players on the field were exhausted, which gave him enough opportunities to perform. Even though Owen couldn't run at all, he led the entire England team's attack with just himself!
In the 94th minute of the game, Beckham made a diagonal pass to Gerrard, who made a lob pass and the ball fell to Wang Li at the edge of the penalty area. Without even a second thought, he turned around and volleyed the ball, which hit the left post and bounced out of the bottom line, shocking Scolari into a cold sweat.
Just one minute later, C. Ronaldo made a mistake in crossing from the wing and was directly intercepted by Bridge. A long pass was passed to Lampard. Lampard shook off Deco and made a diagonal pass. The ball rolled towards Wang Li again. He stopped the ball, knocked it back, turned around, and chased the ball in one go, and directly shook off Andrade who was sticking to him. He took two steps and shot directly from a small angle while running. The ball was lifted over the crossbar by Ricardo with one hand.
Beckham sent a corner kick, and Wang Li used the "Flying Star Technique" to head the ball before his opponent, but unfortunately his header was a little too straight and the ball flew directly into Ricardo's arms.
Ever since England recovered and started to fight back, Portugal's goal has been in trouble. If it weren't for Ricardo's performance and a lot of luck, England would have already overtaken the score. This situation made Portuguese fans feel uneasy, but also made English fans excited. Even though they had been shouting throughout the game, they still kept shouting with hoarse voices.
For England's victory - worth it!!
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