Godfather of national football

Chapter 402 Going to the AFC
The football shock caused by the Chinese team's elimination of the Brazilian team continued until the day when all the top eight teams were produced.

The teams entering the quarter-finals are Germany, China, Argentina, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Costa Rica, and Colombia.

Among them, China and Costa Rica are regarded as the biggest dark horses in this World Cup so far.

The BBC football pundit touched on this issue in his review of the World Cup matches so far.

After the expansion of the World Cup in 98, it actually helped the development of teams in underdeveloped football regions, especially in Asia. Before, there were only two and a half places in Asia, which made it very, very difficult for Asian teams to enter the World Cup.

This is like after the restructuring of the UEFA Champions League, those countries that could not have entered the UEFA Champions League, there are also clubs that entered the UEFA Champions League. They just showed their faces at first, but slowly, their performance is getting better and better.

When Blatter talked about the quarter-finals of the World Cup, he first expressed regret for Brazil's exit, and then he praised the World Cup in Brazil. Everyone said that the World Cup was a matter for South American and European teams, but now it looks more like the World Cup.

Except for the mourning of the Brazilian media, most of the media actually think that this World Cup is quite good.

The influence of Chinese sports media in the world is not great, but domestically, the Chinese media still has an overwhelming advantage. As the exclusive media for the World Cup, CCTV has carried out all-round coverage of the World Cup, including the live broadcast of the game, the lace news after the game, and the analysis of experts.

But the Chinese media is generally low-key, which is related to the character of the Chinese people. When it comes to the top 8, everyone is still cautiously optimistic.

The intermission period of the World Cup is actually the time of media wars. At this time, the AFC can't be idle. As the flag of Asia, the performance of the Chinese team is not only a matter of a country, but also a matter of Asian football.

To be smaller is a matter of face, and to be bigger is related to the direct interests of Asian football in the future. After all, in the football circle, everything is based on strength.

Therefore, the AFC hopes to conduct an exclusive interview with Li Guo, and the method is also very special, that is, to conduct online interaction on the official website of the AFC.

Of course Li Guo readily accepted this, Li Guo is a person who likes to be shy, as long as there is a chance to show off, Li Guo will do his part.

Li Guo thought to himself, now that technology is so advanced, it was impossible to do an exclusive interview in front of billions of people before, but now it is so simple, it is OK on the official social media of the AFC.

Before the interview began, the host specifically reminded Li Guo not to criticize the leaders of AFC and FIFA.

Li Guo laughed, expressing his understanding. After all, Li Guo once uttered wild words at the AFC meeting in Kuala Lumpur, so this time the host will be vaccinated first.

"First of all, congratulations to the Chinese team. You are the only Asian team to reach the quarter-finals, and you are also the second Asian team to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup besides South Korea."

Li Guo laughed. He wanted to mention the matter of South Koreans buying referees, but in the end he held back and said nothing. In addition, the host made a small mistake. In fact, North Korea was the first Asian team to enter the top 8 of the World Cup, but the World Cup was not complete at that time.

"Some people say that the success of the Chinese team is due to good luck. What do you think?"

Li Guo said bluntly: "People who say such things probably don't understand football, or they just don't like others. I think anyone with a normal IQ can see our efforts."

"Well, let me ask another way, is luck also one of the reasons?"

"I don't see it that way."

Anyway, Li Guo didn't think it was luck, but his own hard work.

The host changed the question, "The next opponent of the Chinese team is the German team. This is a very strong opponent. Do you think it is possible for the Chinese team to beat the opponent?"

"The German team is a team I respect a lot, but it doesn't mean that the German team cannot be defeated. I will find a way, although it is difficult."

"Which player in the German team do you like best?"

"There are too many, basically I like them all. German players are diligent and conscientious. I really like that kind of attitude. In fact, I also demand the same from Chinese players."

"We know that after you took office in 2007, the Chinese team began to boldly recruit new players. Will the Football Association not interfere? Because as far as I know, the Chinese Football Association is relatively conservative."

"When I signed the contract, I made it clear that if I can't decide who to employ, then I won't accept the job."

"More than half of the World Cup in Brazil has passed, do you have any interesting tidbits you can tell me?"

"Want to hear gossip?"

"No, no, it doesn't have to be scandal, as long as it is interesting news."

Li Guo talked about the conflict with Scolari before the game.

"Really? Did he really say he was going to beat you?"

"Hehe, it was just a joke."

"By the way, you seem to have been outspoken all the time. This is different from the Chinese we traditionally know. It is your personality or you learned it in Germany."

"Neither, I think football should be a passionate sport, football players should be, and coaches should be too, just like Cantona, like Ferguson, if football becomes lifeless, then what's the point."

"But sometimes you overdo it a little bit, like you provoke the opponent, you stimulate the opponent."

Li Guo chuckled, "Did you know that modern football originated in ancient Rome, and football was used as a way of military training at that time, so in my heart, football is a war in a peaceful era. As long as it is within the rules, I will provoke the opponent."

"It seems that you are really a passionate head coach. You mentioned Ferguson just now. Is he your idol?"

"Yes."

"why?"

"First of all, passion, as I just said, and Ferguson can completely control his team and become the boss of the team. Under his command, no one dares to cause trouble, not even Keane, Cantona, or Beckham."

"What about your control over the Chinese team?"

"I think the kids would listen to me."

Speaking of playing here, the host smiled slightly, "This should be the secret of your success, you completely control your team."

Li Guo laughed, "You are very smart. If you were given 11 disobedient professional players or 11 college students who obeyed your orders, I would choose the latter without hesitation."

"Understood, the time for the interview is limited, but what I want to tell you is that we have another chance to invite you, provided that you reach the semi-finals."

"Well, I hope to see you again."

(End of this chapter)