Chapter 211: Move to Wroclaw

In the 86th minute of the game, Wang Li unexpectedly lobbed the ball to the top of the field, dashing all of Hans Krankl's hopes. The Austrian team's desire for victory was also driven into an abyss by this goal, with no possibility of recovery.

Even with the added time, there were only a few minutes left in the game. For the Austrian team, there was only a glimmer of hope to equalize the score. So when the England team was celebrating the goal, Austrian coach Hans Krankl immediately told the fourth official not to deliberately waste time.

In fact, this is exactly the case. The stars on the England team are deliberately wasting time. One minute less means closer to victory, so at this time, they are unscrupulously stacking up, hugging each other, and shouting, as if the game is over, and they have no intention of returning to the game at all.

However, the Austrian coach could not ignore the bitter complaint, and he immediately ran to where the players were celebrating and signaled that the game would start again. In this way, the England players had no reason to continue, so they slowly walked back to their positions and prepared to kick off again.

When the game resumed, it was already the 88th minute. After the Austrian team kicked off, they pressed forward and launched a massive attack, hoping to use a swift attack to fight. At this time, the English team almost retreated, and everyone in the stadium understood that victory or defeat depended on this wave of attack.

After retreating, Lampard, Gerrard, Owen and Wang Li formed a straight line on the penalty area line. This defensive line was very powerful. The Austrian team's attack was difficult to penetrate directly. They almost lost the ball after several short passes. In the end, they passed back to stabilize the formation, which made Krankl on the sidelines feel a little relieved.

But at this time, time was running out and the Austrian team could only choose to force their way forward to try to find a chance to score.

At this time, the fourth official on the sidelines held up a sign to indicate that three minutes of extra time would be added. It seemed that the referee wanted to make up for the time that both sides had spent celebrating the goal, but on the football field, three minutes might only be enough time for one stable attack.

As a last resort, Austrian winger Rene Aufhauser kicked the ball high and sent it towards the penalty area. Terry stood out in the penalty area and viciously headed the ball out of the penalty area line, but the crisis was not resolved. The ball bounced to the feet of striker Rodlan Coleman, who came on as a substitute in the second half and scored a goal. Wang Li was by his side at this time, but after Coleman got the ball, he still chose to change direction, turn around and shoot. In his opinion, this black-haired boy is a strong shooter, but his defensive ability is a little worse.

However, Rodlan Coleman's idea was absolutely wrong, which showed that he didn't understand Wang Li at all. Just as he took a step forward and had no time to change his posture, he saw the right leg of the black-haired boy next to him suddenly appear beside the ball and hooked the ball away with one foot. Coleman, who was about to move forward, stepped on empty air and fell directly on the grass.

At this time, Coleman was no longer important. After Wang Li got the ball, he kicked it to the front court without thinking. There was not much time left in the game. After the kick, the referee would probably blow the whistle to end the game.

However, this is not the case. England still has people in the frontcourt, and Rooney is near the midline.

Seeing Wang Li's long pass, the little fat man felt that the opportunity he had been waiting for for 90 minutes had finally come. Due to Austria's massive attack, there was no one defending him. In the frontcourt, Rooney ran directly to the ball. After catching up with the ball, facing the goalkeeper who rushed into the penalty area, he directly made a long-distance lob shot of more than 30 meters, adding icing on the cake for the England team.

"Beep..." A whistle sounded, announcing that the goal was valid.

"Beep..." "Beep..." "Beep..." Three whistles sounded, announcing the end of the game.

The players of the victorious England team seemed very happy. They stood in a row with great interest under the England fans' stands, bowed to the fans in unison, and then cheered unrestrainedly. After a long while, they walked towards the player tunnel talking and laughing, ready to return to the locker room.

Wang Li is of course very happy too. He has been having a smooth time in the national team. So far, he has participated in five important matches, starting in one game and coming off the bench in four. He has scored in every game. This kind of result can be said to be world-class.

'The next game, maybe the Swede will let me start. ' Wang Li thought secretly, whether it is personal reputation, state of play, or the media and fans, in all aspects, Eriksson has no reason to let him sit on the bench in the next game.

Thinking of this, Wang Li felt happy. After all, he had finally made it in the national team and no longer had to spend meaningless time on the bench.

Thinking about the World Cup in Germany two years later, Wang Li's blood boiled. Only the World Cup, the highest level of football competition in the world, is the highest dream pursued by a professional player. If he could lead the England team to win the world championship and lift the World Cup in front of hundreds of millions of viewers around the world, that would be the pinnacle of professional football. Thinking about that moment, Wang Li was a little excited. Although he is only participating in the World Cup qualifiers now, this is also an effort to embark on that journey.

However, those are just fantasies in the mind. Right now, the most important thing is to try our best to play well in every game. If we can't even pass the group stage, it is meaningless to fantasize about those things.

Wang Li was thinking like this, and unknowingly walked to the door of the locker room, while his teammates inside were already celebrating with champagne. Frank Lampard was eventually awarded the best player of the game, and this was also Wang Li's evaluation in his heart. Whether in offense or defense, this Chelsea teammate performed well. It can be said that without Frank Lampard, there would be no victory.

After the game, Eriksson attended the press conference with Wang Li and Lampard. Facing many domestic and foreign media, the Swede talked about the process of the game: "The team performed very well in the first half. Frank and Steven's goals gave us the lead. I am very satisfied with this. However, after the start of the second half, perhaps the two-goal lead made the players a little lax. Their performance made me very uncomfortable, but at the end of the game, they got back to their form. I hope they can keep performing so well instead of playing intermittently, which is really scary."

Eriksson took a sip of the mineral water on the table and continued: "After the score was tied, I realized that I had to make changes, so I replaced Allen. It turned out that I was successful. Allen did not live up to my trust. He let the team lead again. He is really outstanding."

At this time, the reporter from The Sun asked in confusion: "So, Mr. Eriksson, since Alan is so outstanding in your heart, why don't you let him start?"

Eriksson smiled and said, "This is normal. After all, Alan is only 17 and a half years old. The performance of young players like him is not stable, but as long as he performs well in the team, I will give him a chance to play. In fact, I will let him play in almost every game."

Although the Swede's words sounded reasonable, Wang Li, who was sitting on the side, frowned. It was obvious that the head coach's statement did not determine his future starting position. But before he could think about it, a reporter from The Guardian began to ask him questions: "Alan, congratulations on your outstanding performance in this game. Excuse me, what is your position in the England team? When do you think you can get a starting position in the team?"

Wang Li lowered his head and thought for a while, then said confidently: "First of all, I think my condition has always been very good. Whether in the club or the national team, I have scored in almost every game, which says it all. As for the England team, I think my strength is enough to be a starter. As long as there is a chance, I will try my best to play well in every game."

At this time, an Austrian female reporter heard this confident answer and asked with interest: "So, what gives you this confidence? You know, the England team is full of stars, and almost everyone is an absolute main player in each top league team."

"Of course, goals are goals. My advantage lies in my goal efficiency. As a striker, I think goals speak for themselves."

"Alan, as we all know, when you were in Wolverhampton, you played as a right winger and a forward. In Chelsea, the Portuguese player made you play as a right midfielder in the previous rounds. In the national team, the captain David Beckham is the absolute main force of the England team, and his position is right winger. So, what position do you think you are best at?"

Wang Li thought for a moment and said, "I think I should be a shadow striker. I felt good when I played this position in Wolverhampton before. You know I am not suitable for the center position." He turned his head and looked at Lampard, as if indicating that his body shape was not suitable for too much confrontation. "Now in Chelsea, the right midfielder position is not bad, but I don't feel as good as the winger who is farther back."

"So, that means, if you are in the starting lineup, the most ideal position is shadow striker. Oh, my God, that's the position of golden boy Michael Owen," said the Austrian female reporter, deliberately pursing her lips, as if she had heard some scary remarks.

"Many people know that Michael and I have a very good relationship in private. Even if there is competition, it is only on the court. I believe that there will be no conflict between us. Besides, I think I can play well in every position. My teammate Thomas at Chelsea even suggested that I become a goalkeeper." Wang Li curled his lips and chuckled, "But I don't want to take my friend's position. You know, he is still a substitute now. It would be bad to squeeze him into the reserve team."

Wang Li's answer made the reporters in the audience laugh out loud. They all felt that this young black-haired boy, besides being a little "arrogant", also had a great sense of humor. This made most people feel a little favorable towards Wang Li who was speaking so eloquently on the stage.

After Wang Li and Lampard answered a few irrelevant questions, the press conference ended. Although Wang Li was in a good mood at this press conference, Eriksen's words before still left him with some resentment.

In any case, whether in the national team or in the Premier League, Wang Li's performance is outstanding, even perfect. With such performance, he deserves a starting position.

When Wang Li first joined the England team, head coach Eriksson said: "There is no absolute main force in the team. Whoever performs well can play in the game. I hope that under this kind of competition, everyone can work harder to make the team's results better and give back to the fans who support the England team."

Now, Wang Li has performed very well, but his starting position is still uncertain, which makes him feel a little depressed. This depression was reflected in his facial expression after returning to the hotel. Since his breakthrough in Xiao Wuxiang Gong, Wang Li has rarely controlled his external expression, so the expression on his face almost explains his mentality.

If you want to be free, you must put aside hypocrisy. This is just the first step.

Fortunately, Wang Li had a good relationship with the England team. Seeing his performance, many people came up to ask what happened. This concern made Wang Li feel better.

'Now is not the time to think so much, or, in the mind of that Swede, I am already the absolute main force?'

Perhaps this idea is not wrong. Who can understand Eriksson's thoughts?

……..

After the game, the England players went straight back to the hotel, and then head coach Eriksson announced that the team could disband freely, giving the players a day to travel around. It would be a pity not to travel around in this beautiful city of Vienna.

The next day, Wang Li, Bridget and Joe Cole got together again. They hired a local tour guide and visited many world-famous attractions, including St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna Concert Hall, Chocolate Museum, Spanish Royal Equestrian Academy, etc. Joe Cole said with a smile: "With this 'one-day tour', even if I can't participate in the competition, it's not a wasted trip."

Obviously, there are many players who have the same "Ah Q" spirit as Joe Cole. You know, there are 31 names on Eriksen's roster, and in fact, except for Butt who did not come to the competition due to a foot injury, everyone else came to Vienna, but there were only 13 people on the field.

Perhaps, most media will complain about Eriksson's "extravagance and waste" again.

On September 6, the England team flew directly to Wroclaw, the fourth largest city in Poland, to prepare for the next game against Poland.