In the fierce battle, Yu Genwei hit a precise shot, Chinese men's soccer team 1-0 power over Oman, two rounds ahead of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup to lock the ticket. At this moment, the national soccer team wrote history, the first and only time to step on the stage of the World Cup finals.
Time has passed, and when the fire of the World Cup in Qatar was lit, the figure of the Chinese team was once again a spectator in the stands.
The soccer feast is coming again, let us review the Chinese men's World Cup journey where the dream has come true.
In 2022, seek out the World Cup and dream of 2002.
By Zheng Hao in Jinan, POPULAR - Poster.
In the Chinese soccer world, there is a nicknamed player, known as "Chinese Gattuso", who is the predecessor of Cai Huikang, Cui Peng, Gao Yao, etc. Although this title is not rare in China, it is enough to highlight the spirit of this desperate player. Although this title is not rare in China, it is enough to highlight the soccer spirit of Gao Yao, a desperate man.
Gao Yao, a controversial No. 13.
"Me, the unnoticed player." Gao Yao's positioning of himself is quite accurate. Indeed, Gao Yao, who wore the No. 13 jersey in China's 23-man squad for the 2002 World Cup finals, appeared to be exceptionally understated.
At that time, the backfield was highly competitive, and in addition to the players on the list, Dalian's Li Ming was also a strong contender. Coach Milo did not call up Li Ming, whose performance in the Top 10 was crucial. And Gao Yao's inclusion in the team once puzzled fans.
It's no coincidence that Gao Yao was favored in the eyes of coach Milu - as a former Luneng coach, Milu had been highly recommended by former Yugoslavia coach Santrazzi. In spite of the saying that "the nearer the water, the better the moon", Gao Yao finally embarked on the journey to the World Cup.
Gao Yao is said to have made the final 23-man squad thanks to the understanding he showed in his midfield partnership with Li Xiaopeng.
However, Gao Yao didn't leave too many highlights during the World Cup.
From striker to back-rower, Gao Yao's title of "China's Gattuso" is not easily earned. Yin Tiesheng once described him as an attacking and defending general, but compared to Su Maozhen, Gao Yao's aura was a bit lacking. Under Santrazzi's discovery, Gao Yao gradually transformed from a striker to a midfielder, and occasionally even played as a defender.
After the World Cup, Gao Yao suffered a career low. Suspended by the club for an argument with coach Nebo, he became the first international player to be suspended after the World Cup.
However, Gao Yao proved his seriousness and dedication by scoring the goal that helped Luneng beat Yokohama Marinos in the first round of the 2005 AFC Champions League, after which he and his team were praised as "heroes".
But the "Chinese Gattuso" also has his own temper; in the 2006 season, Shandong Luneng challenged Shenyang Jinde at Wulihe, and despite a seemingly lopsided 7-2 scoreline, Gao Yao scolded his opponent, Chen Tao, for his fighting behavior and warned him with a "one-yang-finger" during the game.
This scene has become one of the legendary stories of Gao Yao.
