Yu Genwei's shot was like an arrow that cut through the night sky, and the Chinese soccer team beat Oman 1-0, advancing to the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup two rounds ahead of schedule. This was the only time in the history of Chinese soccer to step onto the stage of the World Cup final.
Years and years, the quadrennial World Cup feast once again descended, the national football team once again become a spectator.
As the soccer feast comes back into view, let's trace the historical moment when the Chinese men's soccer team stepped into the World Cup.
Follow the dream of the World Cup, look back at the present and past of 2022, and dream of the glory of 2002.
Xu Yunlong, who retired in 2017, is honored by fans as the soul of the Guoan team. Like Zhao Junzhe, his career was dedicated to one team, Guoan, and he was labeled as a loyalist; fortunately, he had fought alongside the team to win the Chinese Super League trophy.
As the first player to play more than 400 games in China's top flight, let's explore Xu Yunlong's story.
A little regret makes a big fortune.
Xu Yunlong, born in 1979, joined the national team at the age of 21. Playing alongside his teammates, he helped the national soccer team to win the fourth place in the Asian Cup, and thus he was able to enter the vision of Milo.
Xu Yunlong had his first career goal against the Maldives in the Asian qualifier for the Korea-Japan World Cup. However, injuries forced him to put his dreams on hold for a while. Fortunately, Yu Genwei's goal contributed to the national team's success in breaking through the top ten. Milo valued the attitude and did not forget Xu Yunlong, earning him an appearance in the World Cup finals.
Xu Yunlong, who was only 23 years old at the time, may not have thought that the Chinese team was able to play three consecutive matches on the World Cup stage - even a big brother like Fan Zhiyi could hardly give such an answer.
In the first match in Costa Rica, Milo placed Xu Yunlong at right back. Xu Yunlong knew that the only way to not disappoint his teacher was to give his all.
Xu Yunlong at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.
"Yunlong, good performance today!" Despite losing 0-4 to the mighty Brazil in the second match, big brother Sun Jihai still appreciated Xu Yunlong's performance. Facing the most luxurious Brazilian left attacking group in the world at that time, Xu Yunlong's defense on the right side was not embarrassing. Players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos and Denilson could not take advantage of Xu Yunlong. It was Xu Yunlong's success in freezing Ronaldo that made the Brazilian coach replace Ronaldo with Denilson in the second half.
A little embarrassment makes a big difference.
Shao Jiayi and Xu Yunlong form the "Beijing two young", Xu Yunlong in the 2002 World Cup ushered in the highlights of the moment; Zhao Junzhe and Zhao Junzhe form the "Xuanmei two old", which is not only the two players career loyalty to a team of praise, but also in the Premier League on their The era of rare and loyal players of the affirmation. Xu Yunlong's 18-year career in the Imperial Forest Army has left a brilliant record of 501 matches.
Xu Yunlong's career is only national security
Professional players have to face these issues.At the end of 2016, news broke that Xu Yunlong would no longer wear the Imperial Forest Army's uniform and would end his career with another club. Such news angered Guoan fans and the club seemed to be facing an unspeakable dilemma.
A veteran who is no longer young, different people will have different opinions regarding his value. This was a big reason for Xu Yunlong's short-lived rift with the Guoan club.
However, fans who loved Xu Yunlong saw hope after Zhonghe's intervention. Despite the unsatisfactory result, Xu Yunlong's reputation of playing for only one team was preserved.On February 26, 2017, Beijing Zhonghe Guoan Football Club held a forced meeting for the new season, and veteran captain Xu Yunlong officially announced his retirement.
