Can a sports that is not very popular in China really inspire the most exciting feelings in the hearts of tens of thousands of people?

I have no idea.

All I know is that on March 29, at 22:00 in Xi'an, in the open space outside the Shaanxi Stadium, countless people who had not bought tickets held up their flags and looked up at the big screen that shone alone in the dark night.

"The Philippines won! North Korea is over!"

I don't know who shouted at the top of my lungs, and a huge cheer suddenly burst out from the crowd.

It seemed as if a thunder broke out on Zhuque Street, and then the entire Second Ring South Road was paralyzed in an instant.

The School of Political Science on the west side, the School of Physical Education on the south side, the School of Music on the east side, the University of Science and Technology on the east side... There was also an unimaginable cheer in the boys' dormitory building at this moment.

On this night, at least hundreds of thousands of people in this city fell into a mad mood at the same time.

On this night, in this country, how many people are the same?

In tens of millions of families, in the speakers of tens of millions of TVs and computers, the voice of the informant He Wei was heard leisurely.

Even though he is known as a poet, at this moment, he can only speak the most unlike poems:

"We... have qualified!"

-

The game was not over, but there was no suspense again.

Since it was 15 minutes later than the match between North Korea and the Philippines, when the Chinese team's game reached 80 minutes (including the opponent's stoppage time), everyone already knew the ending.

Although North Korea lost two consecutive games with one goal first, the Philippines completed the reversal at the last moment and locked the final score at 3-2!

The North Korean team will definitely miss the top 12 matches, and as long as the Chinese team wins Qatar, they will definitely enter the top 12!

The Chinese team with the strongest captain in history, can it defeat the Qatar second team who is unwilling to fight in its blessed land of Xi'an?

I have no idea.

All I know is that Long Shute scored 6 goals in the first 80 minutes, and Huang Bowen, Zheng Zhi, Wu Lei and Hao Junmin each scored one goal.

The score is 10-0!

10-0 is definitely not a safe score. If Qatar is effective at one goal per minute, they can equalize at the last moment and may even complete a rebound.

But now... they no longer want to kick!

They listened to the deafening and intense drums all over the field, and looked at the fans who took off their shirts, who looked crazy, and cried and laughed, from the head coach to the players, they couldn't help but tremble all over.

This is March. Xi'an is still chilling late at night. Are those fanatical fans already bare-chested?

Anyway, they have already qualified, and the Qataris just want to go home now!

-

"Five-star red flag, you are my pride

Five-star red flag, I'm proud of you

Cheer for you, I bless you,

Your name is more important than my life…”

Accompanied by a familiar melody, a faint light lit up in the stands.

That's someone's phone screen.

It was like a huge rock smashing down on the calm sea surface, and a surging craze suddenly set off on the entire sea surface!

In just a few seconds, the mobile phone lights in the stands were connected into one, reflecting the strong spotlights in the sky, and it seemed as if the holy light was coming in the entire gymnasium!

I don’t know who took the lead, and I don’t know where to start, there was another singing voice in the stands:

“…I pray,

Have a transparent heart,

And the eyes that will cry,

Give me the courage to believe again,

oh crosses the lies and hugs you...

Whenever, I can't find the meaning of existence,

Whenever, I am lost in the darkness,

oh~The brightest star in the night sky,

Please guide me to get close to you…”

At this moment, in the late night of this once called "Surf Bird Stadium", the stars are shining like daytime!

Vermilion Bird, Fire Phoenix, Immortal Bird!

-

"Bang!"

Long Shute shot his bow and arrow 10 meters away from the penalty area, and another heavy cannon hit him straight out!

Qatar had no response from the midfield to the goalkeeper.

Equalifying?

Impossible.

The people here are so strong and singing so nicely, we don’t want to go home!

11-0!

-

Cai Zhonghua breathed a sigh of relief.

Sitting on the rostrum, he suddenly felt an indescribable feeling of fatigue.

Nearly 20 sports officials sat around him, as well as a large number of local officials in Shaanxi. As the number one person in the Football Association, the pressure on his shoulders was not at all relaxed.

"Director Cai, I haven't missed these two games for a minute, and I've played beautifully!"

A member of Shaanxi's standing committee member said with a smile.

Cai Zhonghua also had a smile on his face:

"The three armies have used their lives to burn their boats. The host's strong support is also an important factor. Xi'an is really a blessing!"

A local person in charge in Xi'an immediately took it:

"Since Director Cai has said that, I have an idea. Why not put the national team's home court in Xi'an in the future, how about it?"

"Yes, yes, yes," the previous boss also agreed, "Director Cai, although we are in the western region, we have a great advantage..."

Cai Zhonghua was originally a little embarrassed, but suddenly nodded:

"It will be all in Xi'an, and other provinces and cities will definitely have opinions, but I promise that as long as I have not retired, at least half of the national team competitions will be arranged here in the future!"

He paused a little:

"By the way, Secretary, can you help me arrange it in the next few days? The Football Association is preparing to do several educational projects in Fuping County. It needs the government to vigorously promote it..."

"You're welcome to say this, it's all for the cause of the Party and the people! It's OK, it's OK."

Everyone on the platform showed a knowing smile.

Then they all heard three loud whistles:

"Drip, drip, drip!"

-

"We've qualified!"

Late at night this day, many people posted the photo with obvious traces of time on various online platforms - including the author who watched the live broadcast.

That was a photo from 2001, and it was the first time that the Chinese team was confirmed to advance to the World Cup.

15 years later, in 2016, that precious and historical photo was used to celebrate the Chinese team's entry into the top 12, which actually caused the whole country to be jubilant.

Should I be happy or should I feel sad?

-

The game has ended, but the Shaanxi Stadium is still brightly lit.

Almost no one left the stadium with more than 40,000 fans, and the singing echoed over the stadium for a long time.

Gao Hongbo led the coaching staff members and players to circle the field for three weeks and thanked the cute fans who came to the scene to support him repeatedly.

There were many middle-aged men and girls in tears in the stands, and even grandfather-generation fans who were gray-haired but still cried like children.

Zheng Zhi and several others found a huge national flag from somewhere, and with the help of the running wind, the bright five-star red flag spread flat, causing the camera to follow suit.

As the team captain, how could Long Shute let others steal the limelight?

In two games, one substitute and one starter, scoring a total of 24 goals and contributing 2 assists. The No. 8 captain who returned to the national team is undoubtedly the biggest contributor to the Chinese team's entry to the top 12.
To be continued...