Chapter 9 Oolong vs. Oolong!
In this game, the U.S. team's style of play is somewhat similar to that of the German team, with a strong impact style of play brought by power and speed. However, the United States can only learn a similar one, and in some details of how to handle the ball, they are too rough and appear to be a little brave and resourceless. That said, it was more than enough to deal with a Portuguese team who happened to be a skillful team, especially when the Portuguese star was out of form and took the lead early. However, after Lao Lei came on the field, such an advantage was narrowed until there was none. The most direct effect of Lao Lei's play is that he makes Portugal's waist stand up, can withstand the strong impact of the Americans, and fight back.
At this point, the situation of the American team began to turn bad, and they were held back by Portugal, and they did not have the strength to fight back quickly. Portugal's possession rate is on the rise, and with a long period of possession at their feet, Portugal's superstars are finally slowly getting back into their form. Portugal began to form a continuous offensive in the second half, and the solid defense of the American team finally began to loosen.
Arena also began to worry about the situation on the field, and he didn't have much to do at this time, after all, in terms of strength, Portugal was a few grades higher than the American team. Some of the targeted tactics he deployed against Portugal have become weaker and weaker since Lao Lei came on the field. Suddenly, he also had more ways to solve the dilemma on the field.
Looking at Lao Lei's figure on the court, Arena's teeth were a little itchy, and in the first half he could feel the sluggish state of Figo and others. At that time, he almost shouted God help me, and this situation could increase the chances of his American team to win. However, Lao Lei's appearance ruined the script he set. The victory, which he thought should have been in his pocket, became confusing.
However, at this time, he did not immediately make a substitution, because the players on the field at this time were already the best cards in his hand, and they were all in good shape, and he was counting on them to continue to delay for some time, otherwise the substitution at this time would really be completely defended. When it came time to face Portugal's worry-free pressing, he was not confident that his team could hold on to the two-goal advantage until the end of the game. He thinks he's done his best, and it's up to him to see if luck is on his side.
On the 55th minute of the second half, Conceição's dribble break created a free-kick opportunity for Portugal on the edge of the U.S. penalty area. Costa and Figo both stood in front of the ball to discuss how to deal with the free kick, and the big men of Costa and Lao Lei stood in the US team's penalty area. After all, the players on the Portuguese attacking line are not tall enough and have little advantage in high balls, so these relatively tall backline players are needed to come up and help at this time. Especially Costa, who lost face with that own goal in the first half, held his breath to atone for his sins.
It was Costa who was the last to deal with the free-kick, and his free-kick was found at the back post. However, at this time, he was strictly guarded by the American team, and there was no room for him to exert his strength. So Pauletta had no choice but to give the ball to his team-mate, and the ball ended up at the feet of Costa, but this time with his back to the goal.
Lao Lei, who was beside Costa, raised his hand to signal for the ball, because at this time, as long as Costa could divide the ball, he could get a good chance to shoot from a distance. However, at this time, Costa was so eager that he forced a turn and shot at goal. The shot went wide of the net and wasted a good attacking opportunity.
At this time, Lao Lei's heart said that there was no unhappiness, it was false. However, he could understand Costa's mood when he saw the extremely remorseful expression on his face. So instead of stepping forward to express his displeasure with Costa, he walked up to Costa and said, "Hey, Joe. Calm down and take your time. Of course, the experienced Costa knew that he was too eager for quick success just now, and at this time, Lao Lei did not blame him, but came to comfort him, making his tangled heart feel better at this time. He smiled apologetically at Lao Lei, signaling that he knew what he had said, and he would pay attention to adjusting his emotions.
Seeing that there was still a little anxious emotion between Costa's eyebrows, Lao Lei stepped forward and put his arm around Costa's shoulders and whispered to him: "Don't worry, I will help you get revenge, in the best way." The best way, to be honest, Costa had some doubts in his head, what was the best way to respond to the oolong, he had never thought of this answer before. asked Lao Lei questions, but Lao Lei said that this should be kept secret, and it would be meaningless to say it.
The game continued to start and Portugal continued to keep the offensive going. Unfortunately, luck doesn't seem to be on their side, and goals often pass them by. In the 60th minute, Rui Costa, who had regained his form a little and didn't have to bother defending because of the presence of old Ray, once again made his trademark long-distance through ball to the ground. It's a pity that Pauletta's shot hit the goal post and bounced off the bottom line.
On 64 minutes, Figo found the gap to shoot after breaking down the flanks and after successive lateral dribbles. His powerful volley was again denied by the crossbar. Luck in football is a very evil thing, when you have the advantage and the goals you have to score are blocked by the goal frame, some players will unconsciously think that God is not going to let me win today. Such negative thoughts will greatly deplete the morale of the players, in addition to bringing a negative mental state of impatience and restlessness.
At this time, due to the long-term inability of the Portuguese team, the Portuguese commentator was also obviously a little uneasy, saying: "Remaia's arrival changed the defense, helped the team occupy the upper hand on the field, and brought results beyond our imagination. But luck doesn't seem to be on our side today, the players have to hurry, this time is our worst enemy. It's almost 70 minutes and we're still two goals behind. Hosts South Korea already beat Poland 2-0 in the first round. If we lose to the United States, it will make the qualification of this group uncertain. For us who are aiming for the championship, if we consume too much energy in the group stage, it is not good news for the following games. ”
As the commentator said, time is the biggest enemy of the Portuguese team at this time, and they have to hurry up to score a goal. Oliveira was also anxiously pacing back and forth on the sidelines, and Portugal's problems were not something his manager could solve. The move of replacing Lao Lei has allowed Portugal to dominate the game, he has fulfilled his responsibilities as a manager, and the rest is up to the players on the field. Of course, he can continue to bring on offensive players when necessary, but this is not the time to make this worst gamble. While Oliveira was frustrating, Portugal on the pitch once again organised a threatening attack.
After Portugal continued to pass the ball in midfield, the defense of the American team, which was pulled back and forth, finally did not maintain its own defensive formation this time. Figo received a pass from Rui Costa on the left and quickly squeezed the U.S. defence inside. At this time, Lao Lei had unwittingly rushed to the left side of the front of the penalty area of the American team, behind Figo. It's a habit he developed during his time in Leiria, and when the team gets into trouble on the offensive end, he chooses to step forward at the right time to help the team open up.
Figo saw him asking for the ball, and his performance in the second half earned him enough trust from his team-mates in the Portuguese team. So Figo was decisive in knocking the ball back to him, while Pauletta was clever enough to pull the defence's attention down the middle. After Lao Lei received the ball, a gap temporarily appeared in front of him.
This is the time for him to fulfill his promise to Costa, and Lao Lei usually boasts that he is a man who promises a lot of money, so he is always thinking about how to fulfill his promise. The best way to respond to the oolong ball, according to Lao Lei's character of not suffering, the answer is to use the oolong to the oolong, so that the other party regrets the same as himself, that is the best response. However, Lao Lei also knows the difficulty of Lu Dao, which is something that can be encountered but not sought. So he intends to fulfill his promise to Costa with a beautiful world wave, which is also reasonable.
Lao Lei waved his long legs and put on a heavy artillery bombardment posture. At this time, an American defender, Argus, rushed forward very aggressively, because it was too late to destroy Ray's shooting opportunity, so he chose to stretch out his foot and try to change the course of the shot ball. But after a few seconds, he would regret the kick he had made.
At this time, Lao Lei had already turned on the mode of the devil's muscles, so at this time, his shooting was even more powerful than usual. However, this time the increased force did not bring benefits, Lao Lei did not control it well, and the direction of the football after flying out was obviously towards the corner flagpole. After Lao Lei kicked it out by himself, he felt that he was in the wrong direction, and regretted that he had wasted another good opportunity.
When God closes a door for you, He also leaves a window for you. Lao Lei didn't know who said this, but after a few seconds, he stretched out a thumbs up to this benevolent brother in his heart, brother, you are talented. Agus, who had stretched out his legs, suddenly found that the football did not fly to his feet, but to his face. The speed was too fast, and Agus didn't have time to react at all, he just felt that his eyes were dark, and then he fell directly on the court as if he had been hit by a bullet, and his face was hot and painful.
Due to the great force of the football, after being blocked, there was no noticeable slowdown, but Agus's face was used as a turning point and flew towards the goal of the American team. Keller didn't have time to react at all, and the ball flew in the opposite direction of him, and he could only watch as the ball flew into the goal and hit the net, causing a wave. On 71 minutes, the USA's Argus reluctantly pulled a point back for Portugal with an own goal.
“GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!! The ball is in! The ball is in!! The American Argus is a polite American, this is a courtesy exchange!! The Portuguese commentator shouted excitedly after seeing the ball scored, and by the way he also damaged an American, and he was depressed for a long time in the first half of Costa's own goal, and this time he seized the opportunity to release it.
Lao Lei himself was stunned when he saw the football flying into the goal of the United States, thinking that there was such a story. Such a goal is in line with the most correct answer in his heart. It didn't take long for him to react, and he turned around to see Costa running towards him, and the rest of his teammates running towards him.
Is that your answer, the best way to respond. Reima, you are a crazy genius, a madman!! Costa hugged Ray and shouted in Ray's ear. This goal helped him sweep away the depression in his heart. Although he knew that the Tao was an accident, but Lao Lei would not say it, he said that he admired his brother, worshiped his brother, I was taken by the goddess of luck, hahaha.
Thinking about it, Lao Lei suddenly broke free from Costa's embrace, ran directly to the direction of the camera on the sidelines, stretched out his left and right hands to the camera, and put out his index fingers respectively, which were two 1s.
He shouted at the camera: "1:1, an own goal against an own goal, we are tied, Americans!!" ”
After finishing speaking, he showed a big smile, and said that this was enjoyable.