Chapter 217: World Cup Clouds Gather
For this World Cup, CCTV-5 sent a large reporting team and, through Xia Qi's agent and national authorities, became the only media outlet allowed into the training base to interview Xia Qi.
CCTV-5's reporting crew was split into two groups: on-site and off-site.
The team that entered England's training base was the off-site group, hosted by CCTV-5's rising star Duan Xuan.
Interviews at the base were divided into two parts: a day of training and a personal interview.
Duan Xuan didn't just interview Xia Qi; he also spoke with his coach and teammates.
Duan Xuan told Xia Qi these interviews would be broadcast one hour before Xia Qi's first match on the 15th; CCTV's overseas channel could watch it live, but because Xia Qi had a match that day he would only be able to see the replay.
At 4:00 AM on June 13 (Beijing Time; 5:00 PM Brazil Time), the World Cup opened on schedule at São Paulo Stadium.
Before the opening ceremony, however, an uneasy scene unfolded outside: thousands of workers blocked roads to the airport and launched a major strike, even chanting the slogan "No overtime during the World Cup."
Brazilian media smugly proclaimed, "Who doesn't love the World Cup?"
But if no one bears the burden, where does peace and quiet come from? If everyone refuses overtime, how will transport, shopping malls, power, and communications be guaranteed during the World Cup?
The opening ceremony lasted only 25 minutes—arguably the shortest and poorest in history.
The show was ultra-simple: 660 dancers in the center of the pitch dressed as giant footballs, trees, and flowers.
A huge "football" then slowly opened, and local singer Claudia Leitte came out to sing the tournament theme song "We Are One."
And that was that.
Xia Qi and the rest watching the live broadcast felt disappointed—but the main course to come turned out to be delicious.
In the opening match, host Brazil—worthy pre-tournament favorites—roared in front of over 70,000 home fans. They recovered from an early own-goal to tear in four goals and won 3:1 in a comeback over European side Croatia.
They also maintained several historical World Cup records:
Hosts are unbeaten in opening matches (14 wins, 6 draws).Hosts have never lost an opening match when participating (5 wins, 3 draws).Brazil have won their last eight opening matches and remained unbeaten in their last 17 openers.
Beyond keeping records, they set new ones:
Marcelo put through his own net in Brazil's 98th match—also the first time the first goal of a World Cup tournament was an own goal.Neymar became the first Brazilian No. 10 to score in a World Cup match since Rivaldo scored against England on June 21, 2002.
He also became the youngest Brazilian to reach 50 caps, and Brazil remained unbeaten at home in his appearances (14 wins, 3 draws).
Croatia played well for only 11 minutes. In the 11th minute Marcelo's own-goal gave Croatia the lead, so the Croatians thought, "If Brazil can help score for us, why not relax?" After that Brazil took control; Neymar scored twice and Oscar added one in stoppage time to make it 3:1.
Four hours later, in Group A, Mexico defeated Cameroon 1:0.
On the 14th Group B began.
Spain and the Netherlands collided like meteors; Spain suffered a humiliating defeat.
Robin van Persie's leap made him famous overnight—the "Van Persie flying header" became a new term in world football, joining phrases like "Marcelo control" and "Messi's shoulder drop" in youth academy teaching material.
Spain, the defending champions, conceded and Van Persie's goal fired up the Dutch. Attacking talent was unlocked and the Netherlands scored five goals, routing the defending champions 5:1.
After watching that match, Xia Qi's teammates all looked at him with strange expressions that made his hairs stand on end.
"What are you lot staring at?"
"Van Persie is so strong—how did you manage to push him out and take his place?"
Damn!
"That's twisting the facts. He had ambition and went to a champions team himself. The old man signed me to lick his wounds, but my talent just couldn't be hidden..."
"Heh heh..."
"You're more lovable on the pitch, off the pitch you're so narcissistic..."
"Shut up, you're the narcissist! Why does telling the truth leave you friendless?"
"Heh heh..."
"Stop joking—Holland are so strong, we might meet them in the quarterfinals."
"Relax, some people are trophyless by nature..."
"Haha... no bamboo shoots left in the canteen because you gave them all away."
...
Also on the 14th, Chile beat Australia 3:1; Australia became the first Asian team to play in this World Cup.
Xia Qi and his group didn't watch that match—they were in their last tactical training session before the game.
Hodgson signaled to CCTV-5's cameraman to get a straight-on shot.
On camera, Roy Hodgson spoke with fighting spirit, outlining tactical discipline and stressing cooperation...
He used Holland's big win to motivate the players.
"Xia, Van Persie—this gunner's top traitor—performed brilliantly. You, my ice-cream prince, can't let him have all the glory."
"Of course, Sir!"
A few light laughs spread through the squad.
Joe Hart said, "I'd love to see you go head-to-head with Van Persie!"
Theo Walcott jumped in: "If that day comes, you'll see the real Gunner."
Van Persie's wounded pride had not only hurt the coach but wounded Arsenal's pride; if not for Xia Qi bringing Arsenal the Premier League title, Arsenal could have been a laughingstock.
Theo Walcott, who joined the Gunners in 2006, was genuinely resentful of Van Persie.
"Theo, you stole my line," Xia Qi protested mockingly.
"Ha ha..."
The pre-match tension eased.
Hodgson waved his arm and quieted the team.
"But before that, we must get out of the group. Italy is our first hurdle..."
Hodgson then explained Italy's tactical traits and his own team's weaknesses...
On June 15 two matches from Group C kicked off first.
Group C was the least-watched group in the tournament. Its four teams—Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, and Japan—were low-profile by media standards, jokingly called "the chickens pecking each other."
Colombia won 3:0 over Greece and Ivory Coast beat Japan 2:1.
Japan's match was a pity: they led 1:0 until the 65th minute but failed to secure a win for Asia and left themselves in a precarious position.
After Group C's matches concluded, one hour later it would be time for the matches in Group D—Xia Qi's group.
One hour after the Group C finish, CCTV-5's World Cup special began its broadcast.
(END CHAPTER)
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