On the afternoon of June 30, a direct flight from South Africa to Japan slowly docked at Tokyo Haneda Airport.
In the business class, a team of men uniformly wearing light Adidas jackets stood up one after another, each carrying their satchels, and walked out of the cabin in silence.
This is the Chinese team’s return from competing in the Confederations Cup for the second time, and Wang Ai is at the forefront.
After getting off the plane, everyone filed out. Not far ahead, they saw a group of people waving small five-star red flags. Lao Gao stopped and said: "Although we won 3 games and then lost 2 this time, we only finished 4th.
But in the end, we achieved our planned goal and achieved the best result of an Asian team so far. We will summarize it when we get to the hotel later, so cheer up now!"
Wang Ai took a breath and straightened his back. The team members followed suit. Each of the 23 people rubbed their faces and twisted their waists.
"Hello everyone!" Wang Ai was wearing a red coat, smiling and waving his hands, and led his teammates out.
The overseas Chinese who held red flags to welcome us did not dare to raise their voices, but the smiles on their faces were sincere and warm.
"Goodbye, thank you!" After the two teams staggered, Wang Ai turned around and waved to everyone.
I was tired from the journey and traveled thousands of miles. A few pleasantries would be enough, but there was nothing more I could do.
On the bus sent by the Japanese Football Association, Wang Ai leaned against the window, unscrewed a bottle of mineral water, drank, and fell into deep thought. Unaffected by the congested lane, he recalled the game a few days ago.
Since defeating the European champion Spain 3:1, the outside world's popularity has suddenly increased. Even Schlappner almost rushed to South Africa. Now Inter Milan is facing another round of turmoil. Winning the Champions League championship is not the end. The club and players
Everyone wants more.
Schlapner was responsible for Wang Ai's contract renewal negotiations. Wang Ai had originally entrusted him and Huang Xin to take full responsibility. But this time after Wang Ai and the others defeated Spain, there were more invitations for advertising cooperation. The most important thing is that
, Schlapna told Wang Ai that Ibrahimovic was leaving.
Ibrahimovic did not tell Wang Ai, but Ibrahimovic's agent still briefly exchanged information with Schlapner through a mutual friend: Ibrahimovic hopes to be more free.
Schlapner understood that although Ibrahimovic won the Triple Crown, he was not very happy. Whether it was salary or advertising revenue, media attention or status in the hearts of fans, he was imprisoned by Wang Ai in Inter Milan.
firmly in second place.
The proud Slav doesn't want to be Pippen next to Jordan, but he can't get out of Wang Ai's shadow if he stays at Inter Milan. Apart from his height, he has nothing to be proud of when facing Wang Ai, and height is the thing he is least willing to mention.
, that is not what he strives to show to the outside world, his skills, his efforts, these are the things that impress the judges.
Especially when he saw Confederations Cup champion Ai scoring three goals in a row over Spain while hesitating, he made up his mind, and the next day Moratti made it clear his request for a transfer.
Wang Ai said on the phone that I understand, you don't need to come.
He was reluctant to let the old man Schlapner travel thousands of miles. Although Ibrahimovic left, he felt regretful. To be honest, the two of them got along very well. They were not close friends or close friends, but as colleagues and teammates, Ibrahimovic
The cloth is absolutely qualified.
However, Wang Ai can't do anything about this matter, and he doesn't plan to do anything. His responsibility for the Chinese team is already his limit, and he really can't bear more. Besides, the matter is considered to be caused by him, and he can say nothing at this time.
No, it's better to pretend not to know.
Since Ibrahimovic didn't call him.
But in the subsequent Confederations Cup competition, changes occurred.
First, in the game on June 21, they defeated New Zealand 2:0 and advanced to the semi-finals with a three-game winning record. The Chinese media frantically sent more than 50 additional reporters to South Africa. But then, when facing B
When they were playing against the second-ranked American team, the Chinese team actually lost. Although they persisted until overtime, still 3:3, they ultimately fell short in the penalty shootout.
Approaching, the third place match again met the Spanish team, which was also defeated by Brazil. This time, the Asian champions lost, losing 2:4. In the game, Wang Ai tried his best to score two goals, but in this game, China
The team was limited everywhere, and the only two goals it scored were almost forced by Wang Ai, using his physical fitness and all-round outstanding offensive ability.
The Chinese team's midfield and backcourt cannot be said to have collapsed, but they lagged far behind in tactics and almost lost the game in a daze.
Therefore, the Chinese team, which won first and then lost, especially Wang Ai, who made a bold statement before the game to win the Golden Boot and Golden Goal, was not in a good mood. It was also the first time in three years that he felt the cruelty of the top international competition.
The expectations before were very high, and the expectations for next year are even higher. Whether it was a sudden defeat or a disastrous defeat, it was unexpected. The disastrous defeat was something that many teammates could not accept.
When the game ended, Gao Lin hugged Wang Ai and cried.
It made Wang Ai feel very uncomfortable.
This is what football matches are like. Of the 32 teams in the World Cup, only one had the last laugh, while the others went home crying.
This put more pressure on Wang Ai, even though everyone from Yan Shiduo to Director Liu, to higher-level leaders, to the top leaders, comforted him in various ways.
With 9 goals, Wang Ai won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball of this Confederations Cup. He made a rare "gaffe" and went directly to Japan with the national team to participate in the last qualifying match for next year's World Cup.
The trophy from the competition did not give him much comfort.
In order to hold a comprehensive summary meeting immediately, many international players who were originally scheduled to take a temporary vacation were brought to Japan.
When he put down his luggage at the hotel, Wang Ai lay on his bed, resting his hands on his head and looking at the ceiling, still thinking about the reasons for the failure of the game. Not long after, the door knocked softly, and Kang Si came in with his head drawn: "Dr. Wang
, Director Gao wants you to go to a meeting."
"Okay." Wang Ai stood up straight, exhaled, and put on his shoes.
When she walked to the door, Kangsi asked carefully: "Are you okay?"
Wang Ai took a deep breath and forced out a smile: "It must be good."
Kangsi lowered her head: "Oh."
Wang Ai put his arm around the little girl's shoulders. She even cried when she lost to Spain that day.
Oh my god, you are Spanish! You are crying wrong, dear!
"Don't worry, I can't afford to lose." Wang Ai shook Kang Si's shoulders: "I lost both grand prizes in 2005 and 2006, and only won half of them in 2007. I worked hard enough, but others also
Work hard. It's normal if you lose. It'll be fine. I think openly, and you should think too."
Kang Si's mood had just changed and she held Wang Ai's hand: "I forgot to congratulate you. Well, I read in the Chinese newspaper that you have scored 70 goals in 41 games on behalf of the Chinese team!"
