Chapter 75 George's debut

George Wood still clearly remembers what he said to him when he was first selected to the England World Cup roster.

Thinking about it now seems like yesterday. But in fact, four years have passed in a blink of an eye.

Four years ago, he watched other people's games in Germany, played the bench for five games, and did not get a minute of appearance.

Four years later, there were very high calls in the media for him to start. He himself knew this very well.

After Capello took office, Wood, who had not been reused, gradually won the Italian iron-fisted coach's favor with his dedicated performance and no complaints. In the game he played, England's midfield defense was more than one level better than before. If the opponent wants to pass through the middle easily, he will hit a piece of iron plate. Now Capello should consider not whether Wood is playing or not, but what partner to George Wood should give George Wood.

However, George Wood's popularity in the team did not improve with the clarity of his main position. His taciturn personality made him like a drop of oil in a glass of water in England.

Apart from Layton Barnes and Allen Lennon, who are also from Nottingham Forest, he has nothing to chat with in England.

He himself had a stern face, just like Capello, which made people feel inaccessible.

In South Africa's last days of preparing for the World Cup, he couldn't think of anything else to do except training. Everyone else would go out shopping together, allowing the paparazzi to take photos. But in these photos you will definitely not find George Wood.

He would rather call across the ocean to chat with his mother.

A teammate secretly gave him a nickname "Good Baby", which was in sharp contrast to his strong character on the court.

George Wood off the court is definitely not a news figure and does not attract attention. The media mentioned that his name must be related to tactics and games, and there is no such thing as gossip around. Apart from training and warm-up matches, he seems to have disappeared from the public eye.

However, such days will not last long. The World Cup is about to open, and then it will be George Wood's stage.

The opening match started between host South Africa and Uruguay. There were no big-name stars. South Africa had the advantage of the home court, and Uruguay was slightly stronger than South Africa, so the two sides fought to be equally matched - in the end, 1:1 handshake and peace.

This game is wonderful and there is no classic scene worth savoring. For England fans, even if it is the opening game of the World Cup, it is not worth caring about.

Everyone is waiting for the match between England and Costa Rica in Group D.

In this World Cup group stage, England, as the second-level team, drew a good lottery: they were divided into a group with Costa Rica from North America, South Korea from Asia, and Brazil from South America.

Of course Brazil is very strong. But there are two opponents left... The world media is unanimously optimistic that Brazil and England will qualify from this group. Costa Rica and South Korea will not pose any threat to these two teams.

Although South Korean media and Korean fans are still dreaming of reaching the semi-finals in 2002, and yy has multiple qualifying plans. It includes drawing Brazil, winning a small victory over England, and winning a big victory over Costa Rica; losing to Brazil, drawing a tie in England, winning a big victory over Costa Rica, winning a goal difference to beat the English group second; defeating Brazil, winning a victory over England, winning a victory over Costa Rica, and qualifying successfully in all three games...

However, except for their own people, no one in the world believes that they will qualify from this group.

The day before the match against Costa Rica, news about what starting lineup England will line up the next day has become rampant. Tony Donn predicts that George Wood firmly occupies the midfield position in the midfield.

Everyone thinks George Wood's World Cup debut is tomorrow.

but……

During lunch, Wood was told that he was not on the starting list tomorrow.

Iron-fisted coach Capello did not explain the detailed reason to Wood, but only told him that due to tactical needs, the starting lineup in the midfield of the game tomorrow will be Lampard and Gerald.

After Capello announced the decision, he looked at Wood specifically. He found that the boy had no expression on his face and just nodded and accepted the decision. He then left with confidence.

When Capello announced this decision, he did not treat the media like Wood. He explained himself that Costa Rica is not strong, and he needs more goals to play such an opponent. Wood has little contribution to offense, so there is no need to waste an offensive place to strengthen the middle defense, so Wood rests.

This explanation makes sense, but when Wood's supporters think of not seeing Wood's debut in the World Cup tomorrow, they are somewhat unwilling to accept it...

In the game the next afternoon, England without George Wood felt the pressure from Costa Rica in the first twenty minutes, but also controlled the situation on the court at other times and did not give Costa Rica any better chance.

As Capello wished. England successfully won the fourth-level team in the group 3:1 in this game.

Lampard, who appeared as a substitute George Wood, scored a goal and assisted in the game and was elected the best in the game.

Don Eun was a little worried about this. No coach would replace the best player in the next game. So Capello had no reason to let Wood play in the next game.

Before the World Cup, he also wrote an article saying that George Wood will become one of the main actors in this World Cup. Now it seems that he has been positioned as a "substitute". Even if he really makes him appear in the match against Brazil, the impression is that England will only give the main players a rest after qualifying in advance and not compete with Brazil.

When evaluating the football, he had some complaints about Capello's decision. At the same time, he suddenly hoped that the Koreans could cause more trouble for England and make some changes...

The second game was not as expected by Donn. Lampard, who performed well in the last game, continued to occupy the starting spot. George Wood continued to sit on the bench.

England has high expectations for this game. They all hope to see Capello's team defeat South Korea. They have won all the two games and qualify early.

Only Don En is singing the opposite tune - "The Koreans have lost to Brazil. This game is a key battle that concerns whether they can qualify from the group. I don't think this game will be as easy as some people think. If someone in the England team underestimates the enemy, even the Koreans can make them suffer!"

Although they don’t like Koreans, Tang En still nods to affirm the will of Korean players. If they really go crazy, and England is proud to underestimate the enemy, then it is not impossible to "crowd in the gutter".

This time Tang En guessed it again.

England encountered extremely tenacious resistance from the beginning of the game.

The Korean team used the "all offense and all defense" tactic in the game, using their excellent physical fitness to run all over the field, starting from the frontcourt to intercept football under the feet of English players, forcing them to make mistakes in their busy schedules and make active mistakes soared.

English players are obviously not prepared for Koreans' life-lossing style of playing. They are panicked when they are snatched by the Korean team and cannot even play half of their usual level.

Lampard performed well in the last game and was "in trouble because of his fortune" - because his previous performance was too outstanding and dazzling, he was "focused" by the Koreans in this game. The most basic thing for two people to clamp defense is. In addition, there are small movements such as kicking ankles, hitting the thighs, pulling the jerseys...

The frequent whistle sounds from the referee can't stop the crazy Koreans. Compared with the future where they may not be able to leave the line, what is the foul?

Lampard fell to the ground again and again, and raised his hands helplessly. It seemed as if he was surrendering, but he was protesting. But protesting was useless. The Koreans' fouls were very good at handling them, and it was easy to have fouls from behind - such fouls will definitely be a card. It may even be a red card - and the candidates for fouls coming up are definitely not one or two.

During the intermission, everyone gathered to chat together and said angrily that the Koreans were so shameless.

Tang En laughed. He hoped that Koreans would be more shameless...

Capello is not a fool like McLaren. In the current situation, Lampard has no chance to be seen, and he disappeared on the court in the second half of the first half. And he is pitiful to the team's defense. If Capello is Capello, he will decisively replace Lampard and replace George Wood, and use Wood's scramble to help England regain control of the midfield.

Of course, Wood's offensive ability is not as good as Lampard. But a team's offense often starts from defense. Sending four offensive players does not mean that the team's offense will be × 4, nor does it mean that the originally unsuccessful offense will improve. Stable midfield defense and regain control of the midfield with a tougher attitude than the opponent is the key to winning this game.

When Tang En gave his point of view to others in the studio, everyone nodded in agreement.

Motson also joked with Don Eun that he might just wait until Capello's term is over. Let the FA ask you to take over as England head coach!

Tang En smiled: "That's how the officials of the FA will have a headache every day."

Not long after the second half began, the situation on the field did not change at all. The Koreans used their tireless running and almost foul defense to curb England's offense, while waiting for an opportunity to attack.

They can accept the result of the draw because the Koreans are confident of winning in the last game against Costa Rica. But England cannot accept the draw. Their last group match is the strong Brazil. According to Capello's previous plan, it is to win Costa Rica and South Korea, and finally play a casual game against Brazil. The main force is hidden. The opponent in the knockout stage is welcome.

Now, the Koreans tried their best to drag England into the water. They tied England. They won Costa Rica. They competed with England for a goal difference. In the last game, they defended with all their strength and finally controlled the goal conceded against Brazil.

Capello knew that he could no longer spend time with the Koreans like this, so he waved his hand and decided to replace Lampard.

The person standing on the sidelines took off his cold jacket and exposed the jersey inside. It was George Wood, No. 13, of England!

"Oh - George Woodland's World Cup debut!" Mortson smiled and looked at Don Eun.

Donn noticed Motson's gaze and shrugged: "I think this substitution is a bit like being ordered in danger... England did not expect them to be stubbornly blocked by the Koreans. But I believe in George's ability. He often does such things in Nottingham Forest."

At the same time, on the sidelines, Capello grabbed Wood and told the player who was about to play through the translation.

"I want you to help us rebuild the midfield order and curb the Koreans' momentum. Do you know how to do it, George?"

Wood nodded: "Defense."

Capello smiled: "Yes, that's it. We have conceded too many goals in the midfield now, and the Koreans have played several times to counterattack on the spot. It is very dangerous to continue like this. I hope you protect the midfield. If the Koreans cut the ball, you will immediately rob... Don't be afraid of fouls. The referee's whistle is soft and he doesn't play cards easily. Give the Koreans a little awesome!"

He pushed Wood onto the field.

"George Wood, a Southampton native, comes from Nottingham Forest. He is the captain of the Forest team, and has won the European Champions League twice. One League Cup and one Premier League Championship trophy. As a professional player, he has almost won all the honors he can win. But in his national team career, he is almost a blank piece of paper. Because he is a simple defensive midfielder, he has never been valued. This game is the first time in his major game in his national team career. At this time, Capello obviously has high hopes for him. Let's take a closer look at what changes he can bring to the current situation on the court."

Motson introduced George Wood in a very detailed way. In fact, he still felt a little awkward when he said these words. As a commentator who commented on the Premier League, he no longer needed to recommend George Wood as a newcomer in the live game, but he still had to do this in the national team.

Wood ran on the court and made a gesture to push the formation forward.

This was obviously also instructed by Capello. England needs to attack and score goals. As for the midfield defense... leave it to him!

Manchester United star Park Ji-sung planned to cut inside after dribbled the ball from the wing, but this time he was blocked strongly - the ball under his feet was slightly larger and was tackled by George Wood who had caught up with him.

Gerald lost the ball in the midfield? It doesn't matter! George Wood poked the ball out again while the opponent was still adjusting the football.

The Koreans are proud to run and their tenacious style, which has no upper hand at all in George Wood. If they are hard, George Wood is even harder than them! And when they are merciless, Wood shovels when he should be shovels, and if he should be fouls. He has no hesitation at all. He is like a robot who has set the program in advance. He executes meticulously.

Park Ji-sung was kicked over to the ground by Wood again. This time the referee finally blew a whistle to indicate that Wood was fouled, but he just warned in his pocket. He did not take out the cards.

His actions attracted dissatisfaction among Korean players, who surrounded the referee, hoping that the referee from Africa could give Wood a yellow card.

What Korean players did was so aroused by the English fans in the stands that they were booing them together - why didn't you take the initiative to apply for yellow cards and red cards when you played for us? Now that George has treated you like this, what qualifications do you have to be dissatisfied?

George is so good!

Kick those Korean monkeys to death!

For a moment, cheers in the stands for Wood suddenly became louder.

George Wood shocked South Korean players with his usual tough style and fierce expression, and England regained the initiative on the field. The effect is very obvious - when England's waist becomes hard, the gap in strength between the two teams can be reflected. Only Park Ji-sung in the South Korean team can barely compete with the English players, but he has also been on George Wood's list of "focused care". Now he must avoid Wood's way of getting the ball, otherwise he is really afraid of being kicked off by Wood. In the English league, he has never seen Wood's playing style. If Capello sent him to destroy himself, then he would be ruined...

The Koreans ran all over the game, and the advantages they earned with their physical strength gradually declined, and the advantages disappeared. Instead, England relied on George Wood's strength in the midfield to gain the upper hand again.

In the 77th minute of the game, Gerald assisted Darren and Bente scored the only goal in this game. Not only did he get the right to qualify in advance, but he also kicked the once ambition South Korean team back to his hometown in East Asia.

Korean fans stood in the stands, unable to believe the facts they saw - before coming to South Africa, they planned to stay at least the quarterfinals...

After experiencing the pathological success of the 2002 World Cup, the South Korean team failed to qualify in the group for two consecutive World Cups. For themselves, the German World Cup is "collective revenge for Europeans", while the South African World Cup is "too bad luck" and was assigned to the "death group" (their own decisive group). But the whole world knows that this is the true level of Korean football. Having a player who plays in a giant club like Manchester United does not mean that their entire team is Manchester United's level. Park Ji-sung is not a savior, and modern football is not invented by Koreans.

Their status in this sport is to ensure that they can reach the finals of each World Cup in the future, and they are even worse than those of neighboring Japan.

Tang En seemed very happy. On the one hand, it was because the Korean stick he hated was eliminated early, and on the other hand, George Wood performed very well.

"If I were asked to give the whole England team a score in this game, I would give Wood the highest score. His appearance was the key to reversing the entire game. Capello would have been talked about by England fans for a long time because of this substitution. A decisive substitution created a victory, and it also became a brand new England midfielder core!" He commented after the game, praising George Wood's performance, without any intention of avoiding suspicion.

"I believe Capello also found the most suitable home team for England through this game.  I also want to remind you: In the next game of Brazil, other players may need to take a rotation rest, but George Wood definitely does not need it! No matter how many games he plays in a row, he does not need to rest. He is truly nuclear power and never tired! Please don't put him on the bench for the purpose of letting Wood rest.    As long as he is not injured, he should occupy a starting position in England's home court! If England can reach the final, he can play until the final without rotation or changeover early.   He is a monster, but he is the monster that England needs most at the moment!"
Chapter completed!