From 1963 to 1989, the event was renamed the CONCACAF Championship, and the participating countries expanded to North America.

In 1991, the tournament was renamed the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and qualifiers were added.

At the same time, in order to improve the quality of the competition, the Gold Cup has also begun to invite countries from other continents to participate.

This time, the Chinese team that shined in the World Cup has become the star team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the entire America is paying attention.

This is one of the reasons why Zhu Xie would rather use "coaxing" methods to call four overseas players to return to the team.

Football is of course the number one sport in any country in the world, but only in the paradise of sports, it is a neglected sport.

Because of the success of last year's Women's World Cup, the competition organizing committee is fully expecting to set a new record for the competition this time around.

Since the Gold Cup was renamed in 1991, it has been held in the United States for five consecutive years.

Arriving in Los Angeles again, Zeng Zheng was filled with emotions.

I came with the national team twice, both times as a "consultant".

It seems that I really have no destiny to be a head coach!

This time when he came to the United States, Zeng Zheng specially brought Chen Tao with him.

Just like when he dug out Liu Yunfei from the Tianjin team.

Zeng Zheng, who was deeply influenced by the story between the Brazilian team and Ronaldo in 1994, would rather spend his own money and bring young players he is optimistic about in some competitions to increase their knowledge of competitions.

This year's CONCACAF Gold Cup has expanded to 12 teams, and two South American teams and one East Asian team have been invited to participate. The pre-match gimmicks are naturally quite sufficient.

This Gold Cup was originally scheduled to be randomly drawn into groups, but due to commercial interests, the North and South China Football Confederation later changed its mind.

The final grouping result was that the Chinese team was placed in a group with Canada and Costa Rica.

"Boss Zeng, why do we come to participate in the Central and North American competition?" Zeng Zheng's assistant Han Tao asked.

"It's simple, because the East Asian teams are too weak."

Zeng Zheng explained, "From a geographical point of view, there is not much difference in the time it takes for us to compete in West Asia and to compete in the Americas."

"And the conditions in West Asia are not good, and the level of the teams is also uneven. Coupled with various factors such as war, culture, food, etc., instead of playing some games with them, it is better to play with more unique American teams.

Discuss."

"And Xiaotao, do you know?"

"Our neighbors have spent money to buy out South American Football Confederation since they were young. They can already play in the America's Cup as an Asian team."

"At this point, I am very satisfied that Bamboo Shoes can win a spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup."

This is the fact.

The North and South China Football Federation originally planned to invite South Korea.

But last year, Zhang Jilong and the AFC had too much trouble with FIFA and snatched 0.5 of the participating places for Asia from South America.

After showing such a strong influence, the North and South China Football Federation immediately selected the Chinese team as a special guest.

For the Chinese team, which is determined to compete in the 2002 World Cup, this is also a rare training trip.

On March 5, the Chinese team, which was invited to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup for the first time, got off to a bad start and was tied 0-0 by Canada, the weakest opponent in the group, in Los Angeles.

As soon as the game started, the Chinese team launched a short pass and fast break amidst the sound of gongs and drums from the fans in attendance.

Forwards Qu Shengqing, Zhang Xiaorui and midfielder Shen Si took turns bombing the Canadian goal.

However, due to the extremely brave performance of the Canadian goalkeeper who plays for West Ham United in the Premier League, he saved the ball one after another.

Although the Chinese team had the advantage throughout the game, they were unable to score, and in the end they could only draw 0-0 with Canada.

After the game, a reporter approached Zeng Zheng for an interview, but Zeng Zheng remained silent.

What else can be said?

With Zhang Xiaorui as the forward, and there is also a player on the team who was born in 1983, is less than 17 years old, and has only played 1 minute in the league as a substitute, what can Zeng Zheng say?

This time when he came to the United States with the team, Zeng Zheng focused most of his energy on training those players who had studied abroad.

As for his suggestions about the national team, he said everything he needed to say.

Whether the other party adopts it or not is their business.

Because Canada and Costa Rica drew 2-2 before.

Therefore, after the Chinese team draws with Canada, the next game can only ensure the qualifying of the group by defeating the Colombian team or tying with more than three goals.

Before the match with the Ge team, Jin Zhiyang and Chi Shangbin approached Zeng Zheng and asked him what he thought of the Ge team.

After watching the game between Canada and Costa Rica, Zeng Zheng leaned on the sofa and said boredly: "Except for some players, the overall speed of the team lags behind, and the individual skills are not obvious."

"As long as we fight normally, there will be no problem in winning against our opponent!"

The two teaching assistants looked at each other and could naturally tell that there was something in Zeng Zheng's words.

After leaving Zeng Zheng's room, Jin Zhiyang and Chi Shangbin complained.

"Oh, it's all my fault that Zhang Xiaorui played so well in the Portuguese Super League. If he doesn't score so many goals, can the higher-ups allow him to play as a forward?"

"Who says it's not the case! It's 2000, and there are still people who think that if you score a lot of goals, you should play as a forward..."

On March 8, in the last group match of the Tong Ge team, the Chinese team "showed its strength".

Including General Fan, all five overseas players played the positions they are good at.

Not only that, the other six positions are also filled with experienced veteran national players.

All the players who were selected for the first time this year were put on the bench.

At the beginning, the national football players seemed a little too nervous and made frequent mistakes in the midfield and backcourt.

But after 5 minutes, the team gradually entered the state, and Zhang Xiaorui completed the first shot.

Since then, the advantages of the national football team members in midfield control, interception and organization have gradually emerged.

In competitions with equal opportunities, the ball is often won by the national football team, and the opponent can only rely on fouls to stop the national football team's attack.

In the 35th minute, Sun Jihai took a corner kick and his team headed the ball out of the penalty area. Li Tie from outside the penalty area met the ball and shot.

The kick was so powerful that it hit the opponent's defender on the back and changed direction. The ball flew into the net from the other side of the goalkeeper.

After "unexpectedly" taking the lead, the national players became more and more courageous as they fought.

Two minutes later, right back Sun Jihai used his speed to grab the ball that was not passed properly by his teammate during the competition with the opponent's defender, and passed it back to Li Jinyu in the penalty area near the baseline.

The latter caught the ball and dunked lightly, avoiding the opponent's tackle and then calmly pushed the ball, and the ball hit the net again.

After that, the national football team played more relaxedly.

In the 61st minute, the national football team seized an opportunity that was not a chance. In the right corner of the opponent's penalty area, Sun Jihai used his physical advantage to squeeze between two defenders and passed the ball across the ball when he had lost the ball.

To the vicinity of the penalty spot.

Su Maozhen was flanked by two defenders and took a shot. The ball went under his arm and into the goal again.

Before the end, the team finally got a chance.

No. 8 took a powerful long-range shot 30 meters away from the goal, and the ball bounced into the net.

In the end, the national football team won 3-1 and successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.

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Chapter completed!