Capítulo 219: National team debut
Wang Feng arrived at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on the morning of the 14th. On the evening of February 18th, the national team will face Kuwait at Tianhe Sports Center.
By this time, the airport was already filled with reporters and fans who were well-informed. They were inexplicably excited when they saw Wang Feng appear, with flashes and cheers resounding one after another.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Wang Feng did not interact with the fans but instead gave them a friendly wave. Then, accompanied by staff, he left the airport and headed to the national team's training base. The other players had been training for over a month already.
In the training base, national team head coach Alihan awaited Wang Feng with both excitement and impatience. To be honest, he had never encountered a superstar as big as Wang Feng in his coaching career—a world football number one!
During his playing days, Alihan swept across Europe with legends like Cruyff and Neeskens at Ajax, so he understood clearly how much of an impact a superstar could have on a team, in every aspect.
When Wang Feng arrived at Alihan's office, the two quickly engaged in harmonious conversation. This was because Wang Feng took the initiative to speak Dutch with him, and Alihan did not sense any arrogance from Wang Feng.
The two discussed match tactics and arrangements. Alihan tactfully expressed his hope that Wang Feng could serve as a substitute because the team had been training together for some time to build cohesion. Wang Feng's sudden inclusion might disrupt that cohesion, not to mention he was fatigued from travel.
Wang Feng readily agreed to this request. Facing opponents like Kuwait, he didn't feel particularly motivated.
After meeting with the head coach, Wang Feng was taken by the team leader to the training ground, where he met his domestic teammates for the first time. Although Wang Feng was the youngest among them, his glory couldn't be ignored.
Young players like Zheng Zhi and Shao Jiayi were extremely excited about Wang Feng's arrival. They admired this young "senior" of the football world and sometimes even used honorifics when speaking to him, making Wang Feng embarrassed.
Shao Jiayi had caught the attention of Bundesliga club 1860 Munich in 2003, but unfortunately, the team's poor performance led to relegation to the second division. According to him, his prestige among teammates in the German club rose significantly because of Wang Feng's presence.
"Many people originally looked down on Asian players. As soon as they knew I was Chinese, they treated me with great respect, saying you are one of the best players in the world!" Shao Jiayi said excitedly.
Zheng Zhi also planned to go abroad for development, with Wang Feng as his role model!
Even veteran players like Sun Jihai welcomed Wang Feng's arrival, believing that the team's strength would greatly improve. Of course, some players weren't as pleased, mainly the forwards who felt that Wang Feng was taking their place. However, they didn't show their emotions on the surface, maintaining harmony.
After exchanging pleasantries, the training session began. Wang Feng felt that joining in was too easy compared to training at the club and his own extra training.
In just two hours, the overseas players could still persevere, while the domestic players were sweating profusely, calling out tiredly. Coach Alihan had to let everyone take a break.
Standing aside, Wang Feng felt somewhat helpless. He hadn't even warmed up properly. So, he could only take the ball to the side and start his unique training.
Seeing Wang Feng practicing, some younger players with energy also joined in. Wang Feng didn't hesitate to point out their footballing issues with his senses, mainly the lack of solid basics. Many times, their ball-touching angles were incorrect.
At the end of the day's training, the players gained a clear understanding of Wang Feng's strength. He had completed almost all the courses without resting and even managed extra training, while others couldn't hold on until the end.
"Fitness is really poor!" Wang Feng sighed inwardly. In his view, fitness and technique were the weakest links in the national team. Even with good tactics, they probably wouldn't be able to execute them against strong European teams.
On match day, Tianhe Sports Center was packed. Many people came to witness Wang Feng's first appearance for the Chinese team. After all, he was the first Chinese World Footballer of the Year!
When they saw the world's number one sitting on the bench, many anxious fans began to voice their discontent. How could this be!
Of course, many rational fans and media had guessed this arrangement, considering he had just returned from Italy. The cohesion among teammates also needed time to develop, so sitting on the bench was just a precaution. Whether he would play or not was uncertain.
Wang Feng wore the same number 10 jersey as he did at the club. There was no one else in the team wearing number 10, and Wang Feng couldn't be bothered to choose another one.
As the match began, China's team was stronger than Kuwait's, firmly controlling the situation on the field. They created several threatening attacks, but the final touch always seemed to be lacking.
Watching from the sidelines, Wang Feng could see clearly that the forwards couldn't score, suffering from "lack of forward power." The root cause was their poor basics—incorrect body posture, ball-touching angles, and power. How could they score like this?
Fortunately, the team's defense was solid. Active running and execution of tactics made it difficult for Kuwait to organize effective attacks. Until the end of the first half, they hadn't even managed a shot.
After the break, the deadlock persisted, making the fans in the stands increasingly anxious. They began chanting for Wang Feng to be subbed in, his name echoing throughout the stadium.
"Wang, are you okay to play?" Alihan approached Wang Feng, his heart also feeling anxious. "No problem, coach."
In the 75th minute, Wang Feng finally stepped onto the field amidst the crowd's fervent calls!
Touching the national flag on his chest, a sense of pride surged within him. Even though many people didn't understand why he gave up so much to join the national team, only he knew that wearing the jersey representing his country was one of the greatest honors a footballer could pursue in their lifetime.
Facing the world footballer, Kuwait didn't dare to be careless. Several defenders approached him to mark him closely, and as soon as Wang Feng touched the ball, they quickly closed in.
Without delay, Wang Feng quickly got into his rhythm. After receiving the ball, he immediately accelerated, using a dribble to fake out one defender and then another, successfully breaking through the encirclement and heading towards the penalty area.
His speed was too fast. Kuwait center-back Fahdah only felt a blur before Wang Feng had already passed by him, leaving him no time to foul.
Once inside the penalty area, Wang Feng took a shot directly, and the ball pierced through Kuwait's goal, leaving the goalkeeper standing still in bewilderment. When had he ever seen such a fierce shot?
With his first touch after coming on, Wang Feng scored a goal! At that moment, he only had one thought in his mind—it was too easy. So easy that he didn't even feel like celebrating!
Against such defense, to be honest, even compared to the second division, Wang Feng could easily dribble as many times as he wanted. The opponents wouldn't even have a chance to foul or tackle him.
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