Godfather Of Champions

On November 21st, the day of the game, all England fans were waiting at home or in the bar to watch the upcoming game.

According to the news revealed before the game, David Beckham was indeed ranked in the starting list by McLaren. It seems that facing such an important game, he finally plans to believe in the experience of a veteran.

Dunn is also waiting to watch the game in front of the TV. He is not going to cheer for England and McLaren, he is purely to investigate Beckham's state and performance.

In the Croatian team, the current striker Eduardo da Silva, currently playing for Arsenal, has received the most attention. Before the game, English media pleased him and spent a lot of time praising his ability. Looking back at his half-season at Arsenal, he called it "perfect". In fact, it's not "perfect", but "successful". He scored five goals in less than half a season, which is pretty good considering that this is his first season. He will be the player most threatening to England in this game.

There is also a change in the roster announced before the game. Robinson, who had been the main goalkeeper of the England team, was abandoned in this game, and Carson, who performed well in the warm-up match against Austria, served as the starter. It seems that McLaren also distrusts Robinson, otherwise it would be a risky move to replace the main goalkeeper that has been used in such an important game.

Because Irving and Rooney were injured, the starting striker in this game was Crouch alone, which is exactly the same as Wenger's previous analysis-Wenger thinks McLaren will play 451 because England currently lacks strikers.

The five midfielders are Lampard, Gerrard, Beckham, Joe Cole and Barry. On the back line, due to Rio Ferdinand’s suspension, Terry was injured and could not play. The combination was Richards from Manchester City as the right back, Campbell and Lescott as the center back, and the left back was Wayne Boo. Rich.

Before the game, the English media vigorously touted Croatia. The subtext is to hope that Croatia will see that it has already qualified in advance and let England take the lead. There is no need to fight with us...

The Croatian coach did not express any views on this issue. When asked by reporters, he cleverly bypassed him. No one knows whether he intends to make the team go all out, or if he really just pretends, and then waits for England to release the water...

Don't think that European football will be much cleaner than Chinese football. Match-fixing, gambling, tacit ball, watering, black whistle...the dark side of these footballs are as many in Europe. It’s just that what they do is better than that in China, and most people can’t see it unless they look closely.

For example, the English people certainly hope that Croatia will release the water. Although this will harm Russia's interests and violate the spirit of fair competition, it will harm Russia's interests and the interests of England. No fool would choose to satisfy Russia. Because not everyone is a saint who doesn't eat fireworks and has no emotions. In such a time when it concerns the nation and the nation, fanaticism will prevail.

However, the English are smart. They don’t say it straight. They just gave Croatia a particularly high-sounding reason to release the water-“Getting out early, you don’t need to work hard for a match that is not important to them, just in case you get a general. , Or cause the main players to receive a red card and be suspended, then the gain will outweigh the loss."

The reason is very good, very reasonable, and very legitimate. If Croatia really puts on the bench and does not work hard to make the English win, and the Russians are dissatisfied with the appeal, if there is no conclusive evidence, this matter will not stop.

But the question is... Will the Croats act according to the script written by the English?

※※※

In the first eight minutes of the game, a huge rock fell on the top of all the Englishmen.

This summer, Dunn hesitated whether to introduce assist-type full-back Serna after a breakthrough from the wing, and Kranica, who followed up, shot 25 yards from the left. This game squeezed out Robinson, McLaren's high-anticipated starting goalkeeper Carson made a major error in the face of this shot-he made a save and let go!

The football rolled slowly from under him like a goal, while Carson was still lying on the ground, some of which hadn't recovered.

"Oh, God..." the commentator John Mortensen groaned painfully. "Is he too nervous, or... this is really a stupid mistake!"

The Croatian was celebrating the goal, but the new Wembley Stadium was silent. Lost the ball in just eight minutes of the game, which no one expected.

Before the game, everyone was generally optimistic that England could use their home court advantage to defeat Croatia, so most fans were quite optimistic.

Dunn straightened his back on the sofa. Due to Croatia’s active performance, he suddenly felt that he was full of expectations for this game again... It seems that the Croatians do not plan to act according to the script written for them by the English...

The English nightmare is not over yet, just six minutes after the goal, the fourteenth minute. Eduardo da Silva dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty area. He attracted the two England centre-backs Campbell and Lescott to follow, and at this time he passed directly to Oric in front.

Campbell raised his hand to signal that the opponent was offside, but did not chase back. But the linesman didn't say anything. Campbell realized that Bridge was still behind...

Oric succeeded in reversing offside. He easily swayed him when he faced Carson who attacked, and then hit the empty goal.

In just six minutes, Croatia scored two goals.

2: 0! !

Croatia has no intention to release water at all. Their active performance is like a basin of cold water, falling from the sky, extinguishing the fire of hope among the English fans.

Wembley Stadium was silent, and the commentator Mortensen was also silent. The camera showed McLaren standing on the sidelines directing the game. The poor man looked at the court slightly blankly, as if he still couldn't figure out what happened. He still has a bottle of water in his hand, and he has been drinking water from the sidelines since Croatia scored the first goal. Anyway, as long as the TV camera swept to him after a while, he must be drinking water. His ruddy complexion was all sweat, not because he was in good spirits, but because he was completely tortured by nervous emotions.

After a long time, Mortensen’s voice finally reverberated: "It’s been less than 20 minutes before the start. We even lost two goals... Campbell is old? Lescott is too young? This is not a reason. Our midfielder Where is the defense? What is the most important barrier in front of the back line? Gareth Barry worked very hard. He is an all-around midfielder. Gerrard and Lampard are also all-around midfielders... But what we need is one A dedicated defensive midfielder! Barry alone can't stop Croatia's ubiquitous offense. They have too many offensive points!"

Mortensen is very vaguely reminding the TV audience that there is a very helpful person who is sitting in front of the TV at home watching the game.

Don't think so. While watching the game, he explained to Shania next to him and acted as a guest commentator. This is actually taking back the skills of a guest commentator for the BBC World Cup.

"Mortensen was wrong. The set he said can only be used before conceding the ball. Now that England is two goals behind, it doesn't make sense to talk about the midfield barrier. McLaren is now in a trouble-he doesn't care. Is everything pressured and bombarded, or is it to strengthen the defense in order to stop losing the ball? This is a difficult multiple-choice question, Shania. And this dilemma is the easiest thing to happen, if he has any answer If you don't choose...so he must make a decision as soon as possible."

Dunn said with a smile. He knew exactly how McLaren felt, because his opponent and himself had experienced it. When you desperately need to score a goal, but your opponent counters the goal, should you defend firmly to prevent loosing the ball?

McLaren didn't seem to choose his answer. England seems a bit "anarchistic" on the court. The players want to do it alone when they get the ball. They have no cooperation at all. Even if they cooperate, they appear very impatient, always throwing the ball by themselves.

The loyal English fans in the stands are still singing, but they can no longer hide the booing of McLaren.

Mortensen shook his head vigorously: "How can we expect miracles with such an offensive quality?"

Gerrard and Lampard completely overlapped their positions and roles on the field, fighting on their own. Beckham was limited to the right, but lacked sufficient support. Except for the apex pass, once they were stuck, they would basically be unable to play. Effect. Where is Joe Cole on the left? The technique is very good, but the lack of speed advantage makes his breakthrough completely artificial. The Croatian has to lose the ball if he surrounds him. Where's Barry? He was arranged behind Shuangde, saying that he was defensive and then taking care of offense. In fact, his position was very awkward.

The best performance of his national team was against Israel. Lampard and Hargreaves were sidelined due to injuries. Carrick was abandoned by McLaren and Gerrard could only grit his teeth. Keep playing. In that case, Barry played the same state as in Aston Villa. Facts have proved that this is not because he played supernormally, but because the staffing of the team's midfielder was just right for him to play.

There was one double Germany missing, and Gerrard was injured again. Barry can be the core after moving to the center. His pass created five opportunities for England to attack, in exchange for a ball. In that game, he was completely used as the core of the midfield organization, which can also give full play to the characteristics of his all-round player.

But now, Gerrard and Lampard are not injured or ill, McLaren let them be the core, Barry can only serve as a foil, such a position and role are very embarrassing for Barry, he is a bit at a loss, can not find If you define your own position, you naturally don't know how to best perform.

The whole lineup seems to be a freak, with a lot of powerful stars going up, but they can’t play their role when combined. One plus one plus one plus one plus one is not equal to five or greater than five, but less than Fives.

The first half passed in Croatia's counterattack and England's blind error.

Dunn said to Shania next to him: "If I were McLaren, I would ask all players to attack during the intermission. Don't think about defense, and try to score a goal within the opening ten minutes, so that there is hope in the second half. Win. Otherwise... just wait to die."

Shania pouted her lips: "You are just talking here, why don't you coach the England team?"

Dunn smiled: "I'm not going. I wrote an article in a newspaper column and criticized the national team coach and criticized his tactics. It doesn't mean that I have to sit up and be scolded. That position is not done by people. "

※※※

After the start of the second half, as Dunn said, England stepped up the offensive. And it was not a gradual increase, but a sudden offensive, aggressively pressing into the hinterland of the Croatian team. It's like you don't need to defend at all. McLaren used forward Defoe to replace Barry, who was mediocre in the first half, strengthened the front line and increased support for Crouch.

Croatia did expect England to counterattack in the second half, and they quickly made their own defensive countermeasures in response to this situation.

Their defense against England is very simple, shrinking the mid lane, allowing you to pass from the wing and be cleared when you come in. In the dense penalty area, it is not easy to compete for the top shot. Even a big man with more than two meters like Crouch has little chance of facing a pinch attack by two defenders.

It is often not unexpected personnel adjustments or smart tactical arrangements that change the direction of the game, but a pure accident...

Joe Cole picked a pass to the penalty area. Defoe fell in the penalty area. The referee believed that the Croatian player Simunic fouled and awarded a penalty kick. Although the Croatian players protested, the referee did not intend to change the penalty. The penalty kick revived the atmosphere. Wembley fans sang carols and cheered the players.

Poor McLaren, when another shot was shown on the broadcast, the water bottle in his hand was finally thrown away. Dunn thought maliciously, did he spend more time in the toilet during the intermission, or did he spend more time in the locker room explaining the tactics...

Lampard stood up and took the penalty kick. His low shot deceived the goalkeeper and the football flew into the bottom left corner of the goal. England got a goal back! It was fifty-six minutes at this time, and just one minute passed ten minutes after the start of the second half as Dun En said.

The morale of England, who had pulled back a goal, was greatly boosted, while Croatia seemed a bit listless. Things are developing towards the point where the English hoped-the Croatian scored two goals to block the Russians' mouths, and then saw England make a counterattack and pushed the boat forward to give favors. In the end, England and Croatia reached 2:2, and everyone shook hands and made peace. Join hands to qualify.

But then Bridge, who made an offside error in the first half, made a clearance and hit the crossbar, almost causing an own goal, making all the English people's hearts come to their throats. Next, Selna made a straight pass, and Bridge made a mistake to help the opponent stop the ball. Fortunately, Oric was a little psychologically unprepared for the opponent who frequently gave gifts. His hasty shot from the edge of the penalty area was saved by Carson.

Dunn shook his head and hummed, "Leyton Barnes is better than Bridge, but it's a pity that you can't look down on McLaren, you can't look down on it."

At the 65th minute, David Beckham, who was expected to perform a miracle before the game, finally shined. He made a precise cross from the wing and sent the football to Crouch's side. The tall guy stopped the ball in the chest, and then volleyed directly to tie the score for England!

At this moment, Wembley Stadium exploded with tremendous energy, and the cheers of the fans even felt deafening even as Dunn sitting in front of the TV.

"Crouch! Beckham! David Beckham, he saved England again! This cross is so accurate, Crouch only needs to jump slightly to stop the ball, he doesn't need to go. Get rid of the guard, because David's pass makes the opponent's guards unable to grab!" Mortensen shouted excitedly. "Tie! The situation is in our favor!"

On the other side, news came that Russia and Andorra had not scored a goal, so Mortensen said so. If Russia is finally drawn to an upset draw by Andorra, England will have no pressure at all-even if they lose, they will qualify.

Beckham, who assisted his teammate and scored, was more excited than Crouch, who scored. After embracing and celebrating with his teammates, he retreated, clenched his fists and punched the Three Lions logo on his chest. It was the FA Badge.

Now in the England national team, the number behind him is no longer the glorious number 7, the number 7 is Barry, and he can only wear the number 17. Even in Nottingham Forest, he couldn't wear No. 7 and No. 23. For a while, everyone thought that he had fallen completely and it was impossible to return to the past. But every time people think like this, Beckham will use his own actions to prove how wrong they are.

Simeone was sent off in retaliation at the 1998 World Cup and became a "national public enemy" for the British crusade. Everyone thought his career was over. But in the first game of the 98-99 season, Beckham announced his return with a goal. That season he helped Manchester United win the great triple crown; in the 2000 European Championship, England did not qualify for the group stage. After being eliminated, he was in a sluggish state like England, but in the 2001 World Cup qualifiers, he called a free kick against Greece, which made him instantly change from a man to a god; he missed a penalty kick in the 2004 European Championship. , Leading to the team being eliminated by Portugal, countless people laughed at him for a while, this voice continued until the World Cup in Germany. In the eyes of those people, the current England pin is Lampard and Gerrard, and Rooney, but in Germany, who almost brought England to the top sixteen with his own power and helped the team through his free kick. Enter the quarterfinals? It's David Beckham. Who is wearing the captain's armband, running tirelessly under the scorching sun at the age of thirty, until vomiting? It was David Beckham; after the World Cup, he was excluded from the national team, and his life in Real Madrid was not easy, and he could not even enter the bench list. Everyone thought that he should be completely finished this time, so he could only go to the United States to go for a gold hunt, right? No, Beckham impressed Capello with his amazing professional performance and stable state, as well as his never-giving up fighting spirit. He returned to Real Madrid's main lineup and helped the team win the first league championship in four years. Announcing his return to the Premier League and joining the Shinco European champion Nottingham Forest, is about to make a comeback.

Dunn looked at the familiar, hideous and distorted face on the TV screen... He was a little gloating that England was about to be eliminated, but now he can't be happy.

He was in a conflicted mood. Because he neither wants McLaren to remain in the position of head coach, nor does he want to see Beckham's national team career end so miserably-if he does not qualify for the European Cup finals, Beckham still has the conditions Looking forward to the World Cup in three years?

Without his return in the first half of the year, McLaren’s team would not even have a chance to compete for the last qualifying spot with Croatia and Russia at Wembley.

But is this more cruel? Which is better if you fall before the finish line or quit before the race?

During the next game, Dunn kept silent and stopped explaining the game to Shania. Shania felt a little strange. She glanced at Dunn with a serious face and didn't ask.

Beckham is working harder, or the players in England are working hard, because Croatia is counterattacking, it seems that the Croatians do not accept the English people's wishful thinking, they are not willing to shake hands with their opponents here.

Beckham began to retreat frequently and moved to the center to help the defense. His offensive threat was weakened. After all, he was old and he was not as good at running as when he was young. Sometimes he can't come back when he goes up, sometimes he comes back. Don't go. In the 74th minute, McLaren made a very controversial substitution after the game. He replaced Beckham with Wright Phillips.

When Beckham was off the field, the fans stood up and cheered for him, thanking him for everything he did for the team.

It can be seen that McLaren didn’t want to just defend until the end of the game. Instead, Wright Phillips, who had better stamina and dribbling skills, wanted to continue to put pressure on Croatia and weaken their counterattacking momentum. .

His idea is good, but he overlooked one point. Sometimes relying on offense to suppress defense may be counter-harmed, because this is a double-edged sword...

Wright Phillips may be more active than Beckham on offense, but his defensive contribution is definitely not as good as the more responsible Beckham.

In the 81st minute, when the Croatian substitute Petrich shot 25 yards from the left to lead the goal again, Wembley fell into a minute of silence.

Dunn did not clenched his fists this time to cheer for Croatia's goal, he just sat on the sofa and sighed.

The destined result was just too cruel for David.

At the same time, Russia also scored a goal, and the score of Russia and Andorra was played at the bottom of the screen-0:1, and Andorra was behind at home.

This worse news made everyone in England have to remain silent.

Just after Croatia scored, McLaren replaced Joe Cole with Darren Bent and continued to strengthen the attack. He has used up all three substitutions and wants to give it a go.

The England team is all out, trying to tie the score at the end and create miracles. But what makes them very uncomfortable is that Croatia did not reclaim all of them just because they took the lead and let England besieged. On the contrary, they still insisted on counterattacking and attacking. They resolutely pressed on as long as they had the opportunity to create trouble for England’s defense. Forcing England to retreat to defense.

This is much like Dunn’s approach, no matter how many goals he is ahead, he does not give up the idea and opportunity to counterattack. It is to prevent the opponent from trying his best to suppress the offense and create miracles.

When the referee blew the whistle at the end of the game, the score was fixed at 2:3.

Beckham, who has not changed his jersey, stood on the court. A long shot of his back was shown on the TV, with a noisy grandstand in the background, and the eye-catching and dazzling large screen above his head.

Beckham wore the No. 17 jersey and looked up at the score on the screen:

England 2:3 Croatia.

No one could see the expression on his face, and he stood alone for a long time. Behind him are the dejected teammates and the Croats who cheered and celebrated, and in front is an empty stadium and empty goal.

In this picture, Mortensen sighed: "England is out. In the summer of 2008, it was announced in advance... the end."

Dunn turned off the TV. He didn't want to see Beckham's back or listen to McLaren's speech at the press conference after the game.

Shania looked at him strangely.

"I went to bed." After he said that, he turned and walked upstairs. "Good night, Shania."

"Good night, Uncle Tony." Shania kept watching him disappear into the stairs, and then she turned to look at the quartz clock on the wall.

It's not ten o'clock.

She turned back and turned on the TV, just in time for an interview after the game. Beckham stood in front of the camera, his shirt soaked in sweat and stuck to his body.

He looked tired and said: "It is not the end of the world to be out of the European Cup qualifiers. England has so many outstanding young players. I believe we will have a bright future in the World Cup in South Africa..."

"If the European Cup qualifiers are out, can you feel relieved to play for Nottingham Forest?" a reporter asked vaguely.

Beckham shook his head: "I will not announce my withdrawal from the England team. As I said before, I am ready to play for the England team at any time unless the England team no longer needs me."

After saying this, Beckham refused to answer other questions and walked out of the interview area with his head bowed.

Shania saw McLaren appear on the screen, she also turned off the TV and went upstairs to rest.

This night is really unpleasant... (To be continued, if you want to know what is going on, please visit www.qidian.com, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)

Like the champion godfather, please collect it: (www.wuxiaspot.com) The literature of the champion godfather has the fastest update speed.