Chapter 231: The Day Before the Knockout
On June 30, at 5:00 p.m. Brazil time, the fourth Round of 16 match of the World Cup kicked off at Pernambuco Stadium in Recife.
Greece had reached the knockout stage for the first time. Their goal tally was the lowest among the teams that advanced, with a goal difference of −2 — the only team in the last 16 with a negative goal difference.
In World Cup history there have been teams that advanced with a −2 goal difference but they all ended up eliminated in the quarterfinals, like North Korea in 1966 and Cameroon in 1990.
Greece coach Fernando Santos knew his side lacked firepower, yet at the pre-match press conference he boldly declared he would play an open game:
"I'd like to take England to penalties too, but facing an England that scored 12 goals in the group stage, I don't have confidence to hold out for 120 minutes.
"Rather than meekly absorb blows and fail at the end, we'll play to our rhythm.
"If we don't win through attacking, we'll die attacking — at least we'll have shown our style."
Many media outlets praised his bravado, but pessimists warned that if this wasn't a smoke screen, June 30 could become a national tragedy for Greek football.
Pernambuco Stadium was packed. FIFA had originally worried that this match, which looked decided on paper, might have empty seats.
However, within two hours after England's victory over Costa Rica, tickets for D1 vs C2 that had been slow to sell were suddenly snapped up by many Chinese buyers and became nearly impossible to get.
According to incomplete statistics, at least 35,000 Chinese fans purchased tickets to this match. Without them, how many empty seats would there have been? These fans were almost all there to support Xia Qi.
During warmups, Xia Qi felt their enthusiasm. The moment he emerged from the players' tunnel, tens of thousands rose and applauded, chanting "Xia Qi!" "Xia Qi!"
This was the kind of reception usually reserved for Messi and Ronaldo! The Greek players and Xia Qi's teammates watched the under-twenty striker with envy.
The stands were awash with Five-star Red Flags and Arsenal No.9 jerseys — Xia Qi was moved in an instant. Though of Chinese descent, his feelings for his country were as deep as theirs.
Xia Qi blew them a flying kiss — the only thing he could do at that moment.
…
In the England WAGs stand, Xia's mother suddenly said to her husband, "Honey, we should sit over there."
She pointed to the stand where Five-star Red Flags were waving and Chinese drums were beating loudly.
Xia's mother felt she should be one of them.
"There are no seats left over there; we'll have to stand throughout, is that OK?" Xia's father asked.
"All right, today…" Xia's mother replied, her voice full of anticipation and excitement.
Seeing her husband still so obliging just like when they were young filled Xia's mother with sweetness.
They pushed through the enthusiastic crowd and stood in the aisle on the red stand, watching their son warm up with pride in their eyes.
A young man in his early twenties, student-like, quietly asked, "Brother, sister, where are you from?"
"Shanxi," Xia's mother answered.
"A fellow from Shanxi!" the young man replied with delight, then awkwardly added, "I… actually I'm from Shaanxi."
Hearing this, Xia's mother smiled and realized the boy was trying to make conversation.
The boy continued, "Sorry, brother and sister, I mean — we can be fans, but don't forget we're Chinese. Could I trade these two Arsenal shirts for the England shirts you're wearing?"
He pointed to the England No.9 shirts on Xia's parents.
After saying that he seemed worried Xia's father might be offended and quickly backed away.
Seeing the boy's shy but resolute look, Xia's parents smiled; they found his values wholesome and endearing.
Xia's father smiled and asked, "How many shirts are those? I'll pay you."
"No need. After the match, give them to me. I need some for classmates and to get Xia Qi's autograph," the boy said.
"Oh, so many!" Xia's mother exclaimed.
"There are ten. I don't even know if Xia Qi will sign so many," the boy fretted.
"Don't worry, he'll sign them!" Xia's mother assured him confidently.
The boy took her words as mere comfort and waved it off, not taking it to heart — he didn't know Xia's parents had already decided to help him fulfill this small wish.
…
"Ding dong."
"Please host choose 'Training' or 'Match' mode."
"Match."
"Please choose field position: A Forward, B Midfield, C…"
"B."
"Detected the host's team is currently in difficulty. Matching host with the [Stronger in Battle] attribute."
"The greater the pressure, the stronger the host becomes! At critical moments you step forward; it must be you."
"Please choose 'Autonomous Mode' or 'One-click AFK Mode'."
"Friendly reminder: During AFK, the system will automatically complete various action metrics for the host."
"One-click AFK!"
"…"
"CCTV-5, CCTV-5!"
On TV came Huang Jianxiang's voice, full of excitement and anticipation. His co-host He Wei quickly followed: "Good evening, viewers. We are bringing you live coverage of the fourth Round of 16 match of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Greece vs. England."
Huang Jianxiang, full of feeling, continued: "The match is held at Pernambuco Stadium in Recife, Brazil. Although this stadium is relatively small with a capacity of just over 53,000, it is completely sold out.
"Most of the crowd are Chinese fans from our country; they've brought drums, horns, and Five-star Red Flags, adding a thick atmosphere to the match."
When England appeared in their red shirts, He Wei added, "Tonight England are the away team and are wearing red — a nice match with our Chinese red."
To the sound of the World Cup anthem, the referee led both teams out in order.
Huang Jianxiang excitedly said, "Now let me introduce the starting lineups for both teams."
"Greece are in their home white jerseys; coach Fernando Santos has set out a 4-3-3 attacking formation.
"Goalkeeper is Orestis Karnezis.
"The back line: Vassilis Torosidis, Kostas Manolas, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, José Holebas.
"Midfield: captain Kostas Katsouranis, with Stelios Manianitis and Giorgos Samaris on the flanks.
"The front line: Georgios Salpingidis, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, and Georgios Samaras."
Huang Jianxiang commented, "Santos is audacious — he actually set out an attacking formation to go toe-to-toe with England."
He also pointed out that Santos was forced into that choice, because Xia Qi has the ability to beat a parked bus defense and Greece were unlikely to hold out for 120 minutes.
"Now for England's starting lineup…"
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Bankai10