Chapter Twelve: The Impact of the Top Ten Tournament

Since the start of the professional league, Long Yuyun found himself looking forward to every weekend. At those times, he would always have his son watch the matches with him. Under his influence, Long Bisheng gradually became a devoted supporter of both the Bayi Team and Yunja Tianyu.

Luca Toni, the Italian "Bomber," China's number one striker Hao Dong, the German "Tank" Ballack, the Brazilian national team captain Dunga, the youngest player ever capped for China Sun Chenghai, Yunja's local prodigy Nie Fei, the Italian defensive anchor Materazzi, the Uruguayan wonderkid Recoba who, despite his nationality, bore the face of a Chinese man, as well as Yunja's own "Three Musketeers" Ailin, Wu Jiang, and Zhu Guosheng...

These names, which were gradually becoming renowned in the Chinese football world, brought immense delight and joy to fans every weekend throughout the season. They played with flair, racked up victories, and never put on airs—unlike certain stars who, the moment they became famous, seemed to look down their noses at everyone! It was said that Yunja Tianyu Club had a tradition: their training sessions were open to the public, as long as fans refrained from making noise. If fans waited until the end of training, they might even receive autographs from the players—Yunja Tianyu required each player to sign at least twenty autographs before leaving, or else they'd be in violation of club policy.

The club also valued those fans who traveled from afar to watch matches or request autographs, always giving them priority. The local Yunja fans understood; after all, living in the city made things much more convenient for them.

Fans across China envied those in Yunja. But what comforted them was that, inspired by Yunja Tianyu, every club had begun placing greater importance on engaging with their supporters. In the eyes of the fans, the Chinese league was finally beginning to look like the real thing.

Wasn't it common to see, in European sports news, those world-famous stars patiently signing autographs and posing for photos with fans after training? If those illustrious figures could behave so graciously, then what right did China's so-called "stars" have to act arrogant and aloof?

Now, with Yunja Tianyu setting the standard in both results and conduct, any city with a club meant good fortune for its fans. Just by spending half an hour watching a training session—no club barred fans from observing anymore, as long as they didn't disrupt the session—one had a good chance, with a little luck, to walk away with a cherished autograph.

Such good fortune, however, was not to be for the Long family. Long Yuyun was past the age of seeking autographs from players younger than himself. As for Long Bisheng, though he yearned for such souvenirs, living in Xinjiang meant he had little chance of obtaining them.

The World Cup qualifiers in the latter half of 1997, though, finally gave father and son a thrill.

The Asian final round of qualifiers for the 1998 World Cup, later hailed as "the turning point of Chinese football," allowed fans to taste, within just three months, the emotional rollercoaster from hell to heaven.

The first two matches resulted in one loss and one draw—losing at home to Iran 2-4 after leading by two goals, then being held to a 1-1 draw away by a Qatari team considered the weakest in the group. The much-hoped-for journey to the World Cup for China's national team seemed bleak from the outset.

Then, it was Yunja Tianyu, bursting onto the league scene, that saved the day. Their owner, Pei Wei, offered Spanish coach Rafael Benítez to head the national team free of charge, and, reputedly the wealthiest club boss in the country, took up the role of assistant coach for the symbolic salary of just one yuan per month. Under this duo's leadership, China defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0 at home and Kuwait 3-1 away, turning around a winless start with two precious victories. Suddenly, hope for World Cup qualification was rekindled.

Next, in Iran’s hostile Azadi Stadium, the genius attacking midfielder Nie Fei produced a stunning solo effort in the dying moments to secure a 2-2 draw, leaving China’s prospects for qualification shining bright.

What followed was a dreamlike string of three consecutive wins. The team, which had only managed a draw and a defeat in their first two matches, erupted with energy after the coaching change—five wins and one draw in six games, cruising into the World Cup finals!

This was China’s first entry into the World Cup, but the significance of this triumph went beyond mere historic qualification; it represented so much more.

This final round was a test of the four-year-old professional league’s achievements, and for the first time, the national team employed a new training model—players would assemble for matches, then return to their clubs when there were none. The success of the campaign proved the innovation and effectiveness of this approach.

All the players in the qualifiers came from the domestic professional league. The new system replaced the old custom of endless months-long training camps, allowing the league to progress steadily in the right direction.

Had China failed to qualify, who knows what might have happened? One thing is certain: failure would have meant the loss of countless thrilling moments to come.

Of course, Long Yuyun and his son didn’t concern themselves with such distant ramifications. They were ordinary fans. For them, witnessing the national team’s stirring performances was satisfaction enough. At that time, fans across China were, like them, basking in happiness and joy.

This qualifying campaign was the first time Long Bisheng watched the national team’s quest for the World Cup, and the first football matches to leave a lasting impression on him.

The thunderous cheers erupting from the stands after every goal, the wild celebrations of the national team players, the ecstatic roars after each victory—these sights left an indelible mark on his young heart.

This, he realized, was what it meant to be a professional footballer! This was the spirit of warriors representing their country! In these peaceful times, the military served mainly as a deterrent, but on the international sporting stage, it was the athletes who brought glory to the nation.

Watching those athletic figures with envy, Long Bisheng’s dusty heart began to stir. If, someday, he could become someone like them—how joyous that would be!

This realization was the greatest impact the qualifying campaign had on Long Bisheng.

P.S.: Heh, happy Lantern Festival, brothers! Did you have sweet rice balls or dumplings today? Our family had dumplings—I ate twelve in one day, and now, every time I hiccup, it tastes like dumplings...

Also, I have some unfortunate news. I’ve used up all my highlights for the day. I’ll have to make it up to everyone next week.