The Midfield Master

"What?" Xia Ze and Zhang Wei exclaimed in disbelief when they heard Martins say that suddenly, and the surprise on their faces immediately turned into joy.

Selected for the national team! This is the greatest affirmation for a professional player. Although the performance of the national football team has been very poor in recent years, as Chinese players, Xia Ze and Zhang Wei always think about playing for the country.

It can be said that Xia Ze and Zhang Wei's biggest goal is to lead the national football team to the World Cup again.

"Coach, is this true?" Xia Ze asked suspiciously as he saw the seal of the Chinese Football Association on the letter.

"Yes, I have promised you to report for duty. The competition will be held on March 5." Martins smiled knowingly when he saw the two disciples so happy.

In the final round of the Asian Cup qualifiers on March 5, the Chinese team challenged Iraq away. Xia Ze already knew the time of the game and expected to be selected for the national team. But now that he really got the news that he was selected into the national team by Fu Bo, apart from being pleasantly surprised, there is also a little bit of concern.

"After the Madeira derby two days later, Maritimo will challenge Braga away on March 1, and then I will fly to Iraq to participate in the national team's game. With my current tired physical condition, I'm afraid it's easy to get hurt." Xia Ze was secretly worried in his heart.

Martins saw the worry that flashed in Xia Ze's eyes, but smiled reassuringly, and said, "You don't have to worry, this is the first time you have been selected for the national team, and I will definitely let you do well." sufficient preparation."

He paused, and continued: "I have already decided that after you play the League Cup semi-finals, you will be arranged for rotation training in the league on the weekend. The two-line battle for more than a month has also pushed your body to its limit. , it's time to take a break."

What Martins said completely dispelled Xia Ze's doubts, and he immediately smiled and thanked Martins.

Now, he only needs to think about how to help Maritimo defeat the Nationals in the next game and avenge his home defeat in the first half of the season.

More importantly, this is a fight with Ai Huang, he can't lose!

That night, Xia Ze saw the news on the Internet that there were many newcomers selected for the first time in the list of this year's national team to fight in Iraq.

This match against Iraq had no effect on the qualifying situation of the Chinese team. Naturally, Fu Bo hoped to inspect more players.

In addition to Xia Ze and Zhang Wei, their rivals in the Guangzhou R\u0026F Youth Team, Ai Huang and Gao Bo were also selected for the national team for the first time by virtue of their outstanding performance in their respective teams. In addition, Wang Shangyuan, who played in Bruges, Belgium, was also selected for the national team for the first time.

Counting Wu Lei who joined Stuttgart in the winter and Zhang Linpeng who joined Sampdoria, the national team has as many as 7 returnees, creating the largest number of returnees in the national team training.

Xia Ze and his seven players have established themselves in their respective teams, and their performance in the league is also quite good, allowing European teams to re-understand the strength of Chinese players.

At noon on the 25th, the day before the Madeira Island Derby, Xia Ze and Zhang Wei were walking on the street, preparing to go to Hua Yan's house for dinner.

Along the way, someone greeted them friendly, and Xia Ze and Zhang Wei also responded with a smile; while someone gave them hostile looks, apparently fans of the national team.

The two of them have long been used to the different gazes. Occasionally, if a child comes over to ask for an autograph, they will be happy to meet it.

"Xiao Yu, look, why are there so many people there?" Zhang Wei pointed to the place surrounded by a group of people in front, and said with some doubts.

Xia Ze also noticed it just now, but he is not a lively person, so he doesn't want to pay attention to it.

"Let's go, let's go and have a look." Zhang Wei didn't want to let go of this opportunity to join in the fun, and after saying hello to Xia Ze, he walked over excitedly.

Xia Ze had no choice but to shake his head and follow him.

The place where the crowd was watching was the window of an Adidas store on the street of Funchal.

Relying on his tall body, Zhang Wei squeezed in from the crowd, but when he saw the content on the window, his face changed drastically.

Xia Ze also walked over curiously, and the people who were squeezed away by Zhang Wei just now turned their faces and looked at Xia Ze and Zhang Wei with a hint of unkindness in their eyes.

"That man will defeat you!"

"Tomorrow's game we will let you taste the taste of failure again!"

"I'm defeated, see you tomorrow!"

...

Those people were all fans of the national team. When they saw Xia Ze and Zhang Wei, they yelled at them in a bad tone. However, they didn't act too excessively, they just dispersed after shouting a few words.

Outside the Adidas store where many people gathered a few minutes ago, now only Xia Ze and Zhang Wei are left.

"Xiao Yu, what do they mean?" Zhang Wei pointed to the poster on the window and said angrily.

On the window, a small poster is pasted in an inconspicuous position on the side, but the content on the poster is not subtle.

Ai Huang was wearing an Adidas jersey, stepped on the ball, and looked forward very arrogantly. And beside him, there is a slogan:

"I'll beat you, like I've always done!"

This was clearly a challenge to Xia Ze and the others, even the always calm Xia Ze couldn't help feeling a little angry in his heart at this moment.

Adidas actually made such a controversial poster for Ai Huang, using this Madeira Island Derby as a promotion, completely ignoring Maritimo.

But after a while, Xia Ze still calmed down, dragged Zhang Wei and left: "Let's go, there's no need to be angry, see you on the court!"

...

This poster is a marketing strategy of Adidas, because Ai Huang signed a global endorsement contract with Adidas, so after he transferred to the national team on loan and performed well, the Adidas company in Portugal also began to use Ai Huang image as propaganda.

And this time posting such a poster in Funchal also caused an uproar in Portuguese domestic football. Before the second Madeira derby this season kicked off, the players and coaches of the two teams were playing Word of mouth.

"It's something Adidas does, we don't work with them, so it's not a question for me."

When the Nationals coach Jokanovic faced reporters with questions about the poster at the press conference, he naturally dismissed the responsibility of the team.

"However, as the poster said, we have been the winners of the Madeira Island Derby in recent years, and this one will be no exception. We will beat them at home!" Jokanovic changed his tone, Immediately become extremely sharp.

"When I was in China with Xia Ze and Zhang Wei, I played for the youth teams of different teams in the same city. I often led the team to beat them, but they never beat me. I think I will make this record Keep it up."

Ai Huang also attended the press conference. He is now the core player of the national team. Many offenses are launched from the right side where he is, so he is also very confident in speaking this time.

"Are you good friends with Xia Ze and the others in private? How would you feel if you defeated them?"

"I am not friends with them. We have always been rivals. Maybe in the national team next month, we will become teammates, but that is only on the field."

Ai Huang shrugged and said coldly: "But I will enjoy the feeling of defeating them again, I like that feeling."

Ai Huang faced the reporter's questions at the press conference, responded calmly, and made many remarks that he would beat Xia Ze and Zhang Wei again, his tone was full of confidence in the team and himself, and his respect for Maritimo Disdain.

Their remarks came out after the Nationals' pregame press conference, and Maritimo held a press conference shortly thereafter.

"Mr. Martins, what do you think about that poster?"

"I don't know what you want to express. In my eyes, it's just a marketing strategy of a merchant, and there's nothing special about it." Martins also avoided this topic very skillfully.

"Then what do you think the chances of winning this game are?"

"It's no accident that we are third in the table and we have the quality to beat our opponents."

"You lost the last game against the Nationals, will this one be affected?"

"That was three months ago. Now our team is in a good state. Every player is full of desire for victory. The defeat in the last match will only inspire them to fight more."

"Ai Huang in the opposing team said that he would beat you again, what do you think, Xia Ze?"

"Ai Huang and I are indeed old rivals. When we were in Guangzhou, I could feel his progress every time we played against each other. He is indeed a very strong opponent."

Compared with Ai Huang, Xia Ze's remarks were much lower-key: "I watched him play in the national team and he did a good job. But our team is stronger. We have stars like Quaresma. They haven't. Deeley has also scored a lot this season and tomorrow we will try to get to the final."

"Then is what he said true?" A reporter hesitated and said, "You have never defeated Ai Huang on the court. Is this true?"

As soon as the reporter finished speaking, everyone's eyes fell on Xia Ze. This question was really cunning.

Xia Ze was stunned for a moment, obviously he didn't expect the reporter to ask such a question, but he quickly reacted, smiled slightly, and eased the awkward atmosphere: "The competition is for 11 people, the victory is the result of the team's efforts, not The contest between me and him. He may affect the game, but our team of 11 will win the final victory!"

After finishing speaking, Xia Ze looked at the reporter confidently, without any embarrassment or anxiety on his face.

The match between Maritimo and the national team had been tit-for-tat before the start, and they would not give in. Red Devils Manchester United Rewards Grain 188 Red Devils Manchester United Rewards Grain 388 Red Devils Manchester United Rewards Grain 188 Red Devils Manchester United Rewards Grain 388 Red Devils Manchester United Rewards Grain 88