The South Korea-Japan World Cup group draw has been settled, and some interesting things happened during the ceremony, such as Platini covering his mouth and laughing because he guessed the draw result correctly.
The World Cup is still half a year away, but the storm is already brewing.
Some are happy and some are sad. Japanese coach Troussier is very satisfied with the grouping results, but the Korean media is lamenting.
"Seoul Sports" reported after the draw results came out: South Korea's dream of making the top 16 is on the rocks!
Koreans believe that with the two European teams Portugal and Poland in the same group, plus the United States, South Korea's hope of advancing to the top 16 is very slim.
For European teams, it can be said that except for England and Sweden, the other teams in the group do not appear to be in danger of life and death on paper. The strong teams are generally satisfied with the results of the draw.
For example, Brazil drew China, Costa Rica, and Turkey. Brazil is very cautious at home. In countries outside the East, China has always given people a sense of mystery.
The Brazilians were very cautious, so they began to investigate the group opponent, the Chinese team, and study Chinese football. "France Football" also wanted to introduce the new World Cup team, the Chinese team, in its news reports, so it also embarked on a trip to study Chinese football.
By the end of the year, the Brazilian and French media have "grandly" introduced the current situation of Chinese football to the world of football. This is also the first time in the history of Chinese football that it has been treated as a front-page headline by the authoritative media of a powerful football country. However, its core content
But it is full of problems such as management confusion
Negative reports such as chaos, shady stories, match-fixing, etc., the mysterious veil of the Chinese team was lifted, and the Brazilian media realized that they had made a fuss out of a molehill, and turned the ridicule of Chinese football into a rosy article as a follow-up, focusing on speculating about Milu and a
An affair between Chinese female reporters who don’t understand football at all.
If you want to say which country has the greatest impact on the draw results, there is no doubt that it is England!
"The Sun": Why is it Argentina again!
The report mentioned Beckham's red card in the last World Cup between England and Argentina, and Maradona's Hand of God in 1986.
BBC: England face favorite Argentina!
"Mirror": England and Argentina renew their old hatred!
"The Times": England must get 5 points!
The Guardian: Oh God, this is the toughest group!
Fleet Street almost unanimously believes that the battle between England and Argentina, the old enemy, is the most difficult battle. At the same time, the 33-year-old defeat against Sweden also makes everyone feel that the future is uncertain, and the mysterious Super Eagles Nigeria may disrupt the situation.
Only the Daily Mail reported the draw results in a semi-ridiculous context, with a photo of Aldridge's stunned expression taken by reporters outside the training base: the group of death made the Three Lions young coach despair!
The longer Aldrich stays in the UK, the more complex Aldrich can feel the country's culture.
It is an old enemy of Germany and fought against it during World War II.
We are also old enemies with Argentina. The Battle of Falklands bullied them.
Whenever England plays in the World Cup, it seems unlikely that they won't draw an opponent from past wars in the group stage.
As the coach of the national team, Aldridge must make a formal speech to the outside world after the lottery results are announced, both for public relations needs and to inject spiritual stimulants into the national team.
BBC senior football reporter Jennings has established a relatively harmonious working relationship with Aldridge in the past two years. Last year's interview was also hosted by Jennings.
Before heading to Old Trafford, Aldridge was preparing for an interview in his office. As the coach of the national team, the office had to be rearranged. At least the background with too many Millwall elements was illegal, otherwise the interview would be broadcast.
It's a bit nondescript.
After the background was set up, Aldrich and Jennings sat across from each other.
After the opening remarks, Jennings got straight to the point.
"I heard that you watched the World Cup draw ceremony live on TV, right?"
"Yes."
"Let's talk about this photo first."
Jennings took out a close-up photo of Aldridge's stunned expression outside the training base and showed it to Aldridge.
Aldridge burst into laughter, shook his head and said: "I was a little surprised at the time, but it was not because of the result of the draw, but because someone told me that England has not defeated Sweden in 33 years."
"Does this scare you?"
"Of course not. On the first day I coached, I knew that the club I was leading was a team that had not won any championship in a hundred years."
Jennings immediately understood the meaning of Aldridge's words.
History is nothing to be afraid of.
The future is waiting to be created by the current generation.
Jennings put down the photo and said: "England and Argentina are in the same group. Judging from external public opinion, people think this is a lottery. What do you think?"
Aldrich took a deep breath and then smiled.
"Some games will go beyond the meaning of football competition itself, such as the Spanish derby and the game between England and Argentina. The same is true. If we lose to Argentina, even if we finally qualify from the group, I think England fans will still not be happy.
."
"Are you saying that this focus game will bring huge pressure? England is very unlucky. They met Argentina in the group stage and were placed in the group of death. The prospects look worrying."
"No, no, no, I just stated my views on the game itself, but for being assigned to the same group as Argentina, I think this is a normal thing. I, as well as all the members of the national team, should respond in a peaceful manner.
mentality to face the result of the draw.”
"Why? Won't Argentina cause us trouble? Or do you think England has the absolute strength to defeat Argentina?"
Aldridge still shook his head and said: "The game has not been played, and the outcome cannot be judged. In terms of strength, Argentina has a new coach after 1998. Argentina led by Bielsa looks unstoppable in South America. They are very strong.
It is natural that England will become the favorite for next year's World Cup, but what about England? We must first be clear. Our players and our fans must ask themselves: Why is England going to the World Cup? What kind of pursuit do we pursue? What do we hope to get?
result?"
Jennings said thoughtfully: "Of course we hope England can win the World Cup, but..."
"But we always disappoint, so. We may not even think about it now. There is a fluke atmosphere in public opinion. It baffles me. If a team goes from the group stage to the final, it will play a total of 7
games, 3 group stage games, top 16, top 8, top 4, championship and runner-up finals. If we want England to win the championship and hope that England can go further, then
, you cannot avoid playing against strong teams and teams that are favorites to win the championship. I have read all the newspapers published by major media today, and most of the voices are pessimistic about England. If this is the case, why are we going to the World Cup? Anyway, we are going to the World Cup.
When we go to a strong team, it seems like we are bound to lose. So why are we playing? What are the players trying to do? As a head coach, I might as well go on vacation."
Jennings nodded and said: "You are saying that England cannot be timid before fighting, right?"
Aldrich's expression became serious. He said in a deep voice: "We have worked hard to get the first place in the qualifiers and are aiming for the World Cup. First of all, we must be aware that we are not traveling. We are not going.
Try your luck to avoid a strong team! We are going to try our best and exert 100% or 200% combat effectiveness to win honors! Secondly, no matter how strong we are, we must have the belief to defeat our opponents! The World Cup is not a league
, not a fight
A stage where life can continue even if we get one point. If we don’t have the belief to win, then our efforts will be limited by ourselves. Finally, the group of death has 3 group matches. After qualifying, we will play one less game and we will not be able to qualify.
If so, then we will go home after playing three games. Under such circumstances, playing against strong teams early is our decisive battle. No matter how hard we fight, it will only be 7 games. The whole team must be unified in thinking, from the first minute to the end.
In that minute, give it your all.”
With these words, Aldridge not only told every player of the England national team through interviews, but also told the fans, the media, and himself!
The World Cup will start in half a year. There is no time left for you to be pessimistic, to lament, to make calculations. There is only one thing to do, face it with confidence!
Jennings was also affected by Aldridge's words.
Previous England coaches have basically faced the World Cup with a cautious attitude. Rarely has Aldridge inspired the team and the people like this.
It is no exaggeration to say that the World Cup group draw results have shrouded English football in a haze. From players to fans, from the FA to Fleet Street, it feels like going to the World Cup to watch England die.
Jennings became much more relaxed and asked: "What do you think of Sweden? This is an opponent we have not defeated in 33 years."
Aldridge chuckled and said: "As I said before, the outcome cannot be determined before the game is played. At least I don't think this is an opponent worthy of panic. People will say that England has not defeated Sweden in 33 years, but if England
Are we placed in a group with France? People will say that because France has not defeated England in the past 40 years, England will definitely be unbeaten when they meet France? Don’t be kidding, in the past two games
France is the champion in all competitions, but England is still at a disadvantage. Just like when England meets Ireland, we haven't defeated Ireland in more than ten years. Is it possible that England has a lower chance of winning than Ireland? Haha, Sweden has great strength.
But England should not be affected by its 33-year winless history. On the contrary, this should give us stronger motivation to rewrite history and completely bury the unbearable history."
Jennings laughed, feeling that the ratings for today's exclusive interview must be extremely high.
Argentina and Sweden are the two strongest opponents in the group. The panic in people's hearts is not worth mentioning in Aldrich's words, but Aldrich is not the kind of person who blindly ignores his opponents. His words are very convincing and contagious.
It's so powerful that it makes people feel excited after listening to it.
"What about Nigeria? We defeated them in a friendly match in 1996, and the score was 1:0."
"It's meaningless to talk about history. The opponents we defeated in the past may still get revenge tomorrow. We must be vigilant about African teams. In terms of strength, European teams are definitely stronger, but African teams have their own characteristics and physical fitness.
The advantage is very obvious. Another point is that their fighting spirit will be extremely strong. The World Cup is a big stage for many unknown players in Europe to become famous. It is also a place where they can increase their influence and bring honor and attention to their motherland.
The motivation of the spirit and will will directly affect the game."
Next, Aldrich talked about the group draw results of other teams and his prospects for the favorite teams in the World Cup. In this regard, his words were diplomatic.
For example, he will still say that France, Spain, Portugal and other teams are the favorites to win the championship. After all, if he makes such shocking remarks and says that France will go home after finishing the group stage, no one will believe this. If he is really right, I am afraid that people will
Instead of admiring him more, it will cause controversy and fear. After all, France's hard power is no problem, but when the World Cup came, core Zidane was accidentally injured, and his return status was not guaranteed. (To be continued.
