Chapter 33

When Gao Xiaodong watched the world cup without restraint, the finals of the "star of Hope Cup" national trials sponsored by Adidas and organized by China Football Association were all over.

The finals were attended by 16 teams from provincial Football Association and 4 teams from football schools. In the end, Taishan football school beat Yanjing team 1-0 to win the championship.

In this trial, Lisbon athletic, Benfica, Porto and other eight teams from Portugal sent 15 youth coaches and scouts. They selected 40 excellent players aged 17 to 19 from the participating teams. These 40 players will train and compete in Portugal's Premier League, League A and League B for three years.

Originally, the coach of FICA youth team, and now the head coach of the star of hope cup, Scaroni handed the list to Liu Jian, director of youth training and Social Development Department of the Football Association. Liu Jian took a glance and frowned: "how did you choose 40 players?"

Scaroni surprised: "this time to Portugal is not the quota of 40 people?"? Is there any change? "

Liu Jian said with a bitter smile: "there is no change, but it is difficult to guarantee that the local football association and the players' parents refuse to send the players to training. I think we should expand the scope and select more substitutes. If there are those who are not willing to go, there are still some of us who can take the lead."

"Portugal's football level and youth training level are second only to the top five leagues in Europe, and are on a par with Ajax's youth training level. I don't believe the players selected will not want to go," Scaroni said unhappily

Liu Jian said: "coach Scaroni, you don't understand China's national conditions. I dare say that it would be nice if two thirds of the players you have chosen are willing to go."

Scaroni was shocked. "God, it's free training. Players can not only get high-level training, but also have the chance to play in the European League. Why do some people not want to go? I just can't figure it out. "

A middle-aged man sitting next to Liu Jian said: "some parents may worry about their children's normal training and competition in Portugal. Some parents may think that the competition in the European League is too fierce. It's better to be honest and try to find a place in the Chinese Super League or the top one. In terms of the club, they have their own overseas training plan. They may participate in this trial It's for the sake of fame, but it may not release the players. The local football association hopes to keep the players playing in the city games and the National Games. In addition, the failure of the football association to organize young players to study abroad in Brazil and Germany in the past will also bring a lot of doubts to parents and clubs. Therefore, I think director Liu is right. It's better to choose more players as reserve candidates. "

The name of the defeated man is Chen Qiang. Despite the fact that the central government already needs local support, he is not that old. He is only 35 years old this year. He is the president of a sports culture company and one of the partners of the hope star's overseas study program.

This time, the project of "star of hope" to study abroad is very big and time-consuming. The football association is just leading the project. Adidas company pays for it. It is Chen Qiang's sports culture company that really manages these children going to Portugal, and it is them that contact the Portuguese club.

Scaroni and Chen Qiang are very familiar, Chen Qiang's words he still believes, "don't go, don't go, how many people go, now these people are reluctantly elected, I think it's better not to expand the scope."

Liu Jian said with a bitter smile: "how can we do that? We have to go to 40 people this time, which has been announced by the Football Association."

Porto club to a scout, his name is Andrews, he has just been thinking, this time interjected: "expand the scope is also good, in fact, I think now selected these 40 people may not be the best talent of this age."

Benfica, Sporting Lisbon and Porto are deadly enemies in Portuguese football. Players and fans are hostile to each other, scouts compete with each other, and coaches break down each other.

Scaroni sneered: "if these 40 people are not the best, where is the best? Aren't the 20 teams in the finals the best in China? "

Liu Jian said: "this is selected according to the city, province and the whole country. It must be the best U17 to U19 teams in China."

Andrews said: "this may be the best team in the country, but we don't have to pick the best players in the country. Last time I watched their provincial game in Shandong Province, there were some kids with good talent."

Scaroni disdained the way: "it's a joke, according to my standards, now these 40 players at most half qualified, I don't believe the provincial game can have any excellent talent."

Andrews sneered: "there are more people in Shandong Province than in our country. Isn't it normal to have a few gifted children? In this respect, I am more professional than you. "

Scaroni laughed: "do you think I'm not familiar with China? I'm more familiar than you. I can speak Chinese. Can you? The population of China is large, but the population of football is small. I guarantee that the number of registered young players in China is not as large as ours. "

Andrews said: "less people play football, it doesn't mean less talented people."

Liu Jian watched the two foreigners fight with each other. He said: "there is still a difference. Shandong Province is the big football Province in China. It is possible that some football players will be buried in the weak teams."Scaroni didn't believe that there were any excellent football talents in Shandong Province, but he didn't want to argue with Andrews any more. He was a coach and Andrews was just a scout. He thought it was beneath his status and said, "director Liu, how many places do you want to expand?"

Liu Jian pondered for a while, and said: "each Portuguese coach chooses another player, five Chinese coaches recommend one, plus the first batch of 40 people selected, gather these 60 people for further investigation, and decide the final list of 40 people."

Andrews said, "I agree."

Scaroni said: "I think it's almost enough to choose another 10. If director Liu insists, I have no opinion."

Liu Jian said: "coach Scaroni, you'd better choose 20 players. You must have some candidates on hand. I think you'd rather choose more players and put them back, rather than find others to make up the numbers."

Scaloni stall hand, helpless way: "well, then add an internal elimination match."

Liu Jian saw that the foreign coaches had no objection and said: "that's settled. I'll keep the list of 40 people handed over to me by coach Scaloni. Now we'll look for a player. After the candidates are found, I'll report it to the chairman together."

Scaroni said, "OK. I'll get ready right away. " Turning around, he said unkindly to Andrews: "Andrews, don't you say there are many excellent football players in Shandong Province? Just look for any one you like. "

Andrews's mind out of a tall and thin winger and an image of a wretched fat man, tall and thin winger speed, skilled, should be a member of a football school, talent is not worse than the 40 players now selected, but the team is a little bit worse, not able to enter the national finals; although the fat man's skills are ordinary, there are traces of wild, not bad The body is really very strong, coordination is also very good, in addition, there is a surprising bounce in the fat level, such a player, playing Portuguese super certainly no play, but after professional training, playing Portuguese A is still possible, Andrews thinks, as a substitute, the fat man is a good candidate.

"Well, thank you for your advice. I'll look for it today." Andrews replied faintly.

"I hope you find a Chinese kostia. Ronaldo Scaroni's face was full of irony.

"Stupid bullshit!" Andrews walked away.