Chapter 241: Fierce confrontation
When the match ended, the audience at the Workers Stadium stood up one after another, giving the Chinese players the warmest applause. Led by captain Li Weifeng, the players bowed to thank the supporters.
"Champions!" It's unclear who started chanting this slogan, but soon others joined in, and the entire stadium echoed with fervent voices.
Indeed, having come this far, how could they not aspire to strive for the highest honor?
In the other semi-final match, Japan ultimately defeated Bahrain 4-3 and advanced to the final.
Facing Japan, the strongest team in Asia, it was impossible for the Chinese team to not feel a bit afraid. However, their performance in this tournament hadn't been dominant. Not to mention the narrow victory over Bahrain, even the quarter-final against Jordan was forced into a penalty shootout. If not for luck, they might have been eliminated from subsequent matches.
"When facing Bahrain, we were able to achieve a big victory, while Japan almost stumbled. From this perspective, there's no need to fear them." In the post-match locker room, the coach was encouraging the team, "If we can lift the first-ever Asian Cup trophy on home soil, it would be a perfect outcome, and all of you will be remembered forever."
Everyone's faces showed eager expressions, especially some veteran players who were about to retire from the national team. They had experienced various failures with the team and were very eager to achieve real honor.
"Good evening, everyone. Here we are at the Workers Stadium in the capital. I'm your old friend, Zhang Jun. Today, we will witness a heavyweight match—the final of the 2004 Asian Cup, featuring China against Japan."
"This match has attracted many fans to the venue. There are also many fans who haven't been able to get tickets and are reluctant to leave the stadium. Zhang Jun here reminds everyone to pay attention to safety."
"We can see that both teams' players have already stepped onto the field under the lead of the main referee. Before the final, China's performance can be said to be very good. They scored 18 goals in five matches, conceding only 2."
"In addition to good defense, China's offensive firepower is also very fierce. Part of the reason is attributed to our first FIFA World Player—Wang Feng. So far, he has contributed a total of 10 goals, ranking first in the top scorers list, and also has 5 assists."
"This data is amazing. It can be said that Wang Feng single-handedly accounted for most of China's goals."
"On the Japanese side, their performance in this Asian Cup seems not as outstanding. This is mainly because European-based players such as Hidetoshi Nakata, Shinji Ono, and Naohiro Takahara did not join the team for the tournament."
"So for the Chinese team, this will be a great opportunity. Can they lift the Asian Cup for the first time in history? Let's wait and see."
After the match started, the Chinese players seemed a bit nervous, feeling very anxious under the gaze of the numerous fans at the scene.
In the 11th minute, Japan got a chance for a set-piece in the frontcourt. It was a bit unnecessary foul by Zheng Zhi in the backcourt, and Japan's forward Koji Nakata fell down following the momentum. The whistle of the referee Al-Fahari sounded immediately.
"It shouldn't have been a foul at that place. Zheng Zhi might still be a bit nervous. Let's see Japan's set-piece. It's very close to the goal, a bit dangerous."
"Run-up, shot! Goal! Japan takes the lead now, trouble for China!"
Goalkeeper Liu Yunhui scooped the ball out of the goal and kicked it to the midfield. This free kick was too tricky, he couldn't save it at all, and Zheng Zhi, who caused the free kick, was scratching his head in regret.
Only Wang Feng remained calm. He had seen this kind of situation many times before, so he kept rallying his teammates, hoping they could pull themselves together.
After the restart, the Chinese team immediately launched an attack. Zhao Junzhe lofted the ball into the penalty area, but it was intercepted by defender Keisuke Honda, who forcefully headed it away, clearing it to the sideline.
At this moment, following up, Iwamatsu received the ball and delivered it into the penalty area again. The ball was a bit high, flying over the players in the middle to the back post, where Wang Feng leaped and volleyed, piercing through Japan's defense!
"Goal!! Beautiful!! Japan just scored, and China immediately responds!!"
"An aerial volley from Wang Feng, let's take another look. Actually, the pass from Iwamatsu wasn't very good, but Wang Feng stretched his body to the extreme. He truly deserves to be the best in the football world. His threat in front of the goal is unmatched!"
After the equalizer, both sides continued to press forward and defend. At halftime, the score remained unchanged. After the break, in the 50th minute, Japan won a corner kick.
Shunsuke Nakamura sent the ball to the far post, where both Nakata Hiroshi and Li Weifeng contested for the header. In the confusion, Nakata Hiroshi used his arm to divert the ball into the goal.
Li Weifeng immediately gestured to the referee for handball, and other nearby players also signaled, but Al-Fahari insisted the goal was valid, and Li Weifeng, protesting fervently, received a yellow card for it.
"From the slow-motion replay, this is definitely a handball! The referee's decision is too unfavorable for the Chinese team. Let's hope these young men can adjust their mentality in time."
This goal was a huge blow to the players on the field. They gradually became restless, and the execution of tactics on both ends of the field became chaotic. Japan seized this opportunity and launched two very beautiful attacks in succession. Fortunately, Liu Yunhui made heroic saves to prevent the deficit from widening.
Wang Feng had been closely marked by Japan's defense, but he continued to tire them out tirelessly. However, it was clear that this level of effort was not enough, and they needed to come up with some ideas quickly!
In the 65th minute, Japan's attack was once again thwarted by Liu Yunhui. Li Weifeng cleared the ball from the penalty area to the midfield, where Yasuhito Endo saw that there was no immediate threat around him, so he planned to wait for the ball to land before controlling it.
At this moment, a lightning-fast figure rushed towards him—it was Wang Feng. Yasuhito Endo was taken aback and hurriedly tried to control the rebounding ball, but he was too nervous to touch the ball, allowing Wang Feng to snatch it away with a toe poke.
Japanese defenders Junichi Inamoto and Tsuneyasu Miyamoto quickly converged on Wang Feng, while the mistake-prone Yasuhito Endo also gave chase. In an instant, Wang Feng found himself surrounded by three players.
In the critical moment, he decisively took a shot, lifting the ball, which soared into the air as it entered the penalty area, then suddenly plummeted. Goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki, who was positioned forward, kept retreating and could only make a desperate leap to block it, but he couldn't reach the ball in time.
"Goal!! Goal!! Wang Feng has equalized the score for the Chinese team again!"
"The quick counterattack by the Chinese team, Wang Feng is very fast, his pressing and harassing caused the mistake by Japanese defender Yasuhito Endo, successfully intercepting the ball."
"At this point, he found himself isolated and without support from other teammates, while Japan's defense was very tight, but Wang Feng is Wang Feng, he always finds the loophole."
"He must have noticed that the position of Japan's goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki was problematic, so he kicked a lob shot. This shot is also very wonderful, perfectly flying over Seigo Narazaki's head and into the net!"
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