CHAPTER 1858: CHAPTER 972: THIS BATTLE, KNOWN TO THE WORLD (PART 2)

Winning the first match now is a victory.

Ding Yue isn’t stingy about throwing a celebration for the players because he knows that after celebrating, the players will still work tirelessly. Celebrating will only make them more determined rather than slack off, because Ding Yue believes in this group of young people filled with football dreams.

"Principal Ding, say a few words."

One of the players urged Ding Yue to say a few words.

Well, Ding Yue wasn’t planning on saying anything, he just wanted to let the players enjoy a good meal to celebrate. But the players insisted on having him speak.

In that case.

Ding Yue couldn’t refuse.

"Alright."

Ding Yue stood up, holding a wine glass, and said with a smile: "I just wanted to invite everyone to a meal to celebrate, didn’t plan to say anything major. I think everyone played really well, keep up this momentum. However, I heard from Coach Hou, next match Li Shuangying and Liu Zhan won’t be playing, right?"

"Yes."

Li Shuangying nodded and replied.

In the next match against Tunisia, the national team won’t field Li Shuangying and Liu Zhan. Zhao Xuanming is still playing, while Li and Liu are replaced with two other players mainly because they exerted themselves too much in the match against America. They need some recovery time as the next match is the day after tomorrow. Continuous exertion like that might risk a decline in their performance in subsequent games.

So, Li Shuangying and Liu Zhan were replaced.

Of course.

As the head coach, Hou Xiangming has calculated everything well. Even without Li Shuangying and Liu Zhan, there shouldn’t be any problems in the match against Tunisia, as Tunisia’s strength isn’t as formidable as America’s.

Tunisia used to be strong, but the strong players from that era have already retired. The new young players naturally lack the skill and experience of the previous generation.

But the national team won’t underestimate Tunisia like America underestimated them. The team is fully prepared for the next match against Tunisia, and Li Shuangying and Liu Zhan are not completely off the roster; they’re just substitutes, not starters. If something happens during the match, they can always step in.

"No matter what kind of arrangement Coach Hou makes, I believe he has his reasons. I hope each of us puts all our effort into fighting for the World Cup, achieving the best result possible. We don’t need to talk about winning the World Cup or making it to the semi-finals, as long as we achieve a result befitting of our abilities."

Ding Yue gave a brief speech.

After hearing this, everyone nodded.

"Alright, I won’t say more, let’s have a toast."

Ding Yue raised his wine glass again and celebrated with everyone: "Don’t drink too much, we have a match the day after tomorrow."

"Alright!"

The spirited and enthusiastic celebration ended.

Ding Yue returned to the hotel room, ready to rest, but suddenly received a Whatsapp message from Director Chen Ping, the dean of the Architecture Department at Mist City Arts and Science University.

If Ding Yue remembered correctly, Director Chen Ping was not in Mist City Arts and Science University domestically, nor in Mexico City. He was far away in Pharaoh Kingdom, leading the main force of Feiyue Construction Company in building the Pharaoh’s New Cairo City.

Currently, Director Chen Ping has handed over the teaching duties of the Architecture Department at Mist City Arts and Science University to the deputy director, focusing entirely on building New Cairo City. After all, for Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Construction Company, this project is crucial.

If this project is completed well, the Architecture Department at Mist City Arts and Science University could become one of the world’s top architectural institutes, and Feiyue Construction Company would be recognized as an international first-class construction group.

Director Chen Ping: Principal Ding, I saw our national team won their first World Cup match, defeating America—it’s really exciting. Congratulations to the national team. Additionally, a report update for Principal Ding: here’s the new Cairo City construction progress [New Cairo City Video·mp4].

Ding Yue looked at the message Director Chen Ping sent him on Whatsapp.

Besides congratulating the national team on their first World Cup match victory, there was also the construction progress video for New Cairo City.

"Hmm?"

Ding Yue was quite interested in the current progress of New Cairo City, so he quickly clicked on the video to watch.

The video was mainly aerial footage combined with other shooting angles.

The overall framework of New Cairo City was largely completed, with the main structures of CBD skyscrapers built. The buildings were visible, but not fully completed yet. The majority of road planning and construction was done, though some greenery might be affected by construction, so part of it would be planted after construction completion.

However, the main foliage along New Cairo City’s primary streets had been planted. These plants were developed by Mist City Arts and Science University, designed to be drought-resistant and have superb photosynthesis technology, thriving well in desert areas.

"The progress looks pretty good."

After watching the video, Ding Yue nodded in satisfaction, talking to himself.

It’s only been a year, and they’ve completed the main framework. Director Chen Ping mentioned wanting the city to be mostly completed and usable within the next year. This speed is remarkable, only something domestic infrastructure powerhouses could achieve. If it were international construction companies, it might take three to five years.

Three to five years might already be quick; even ten years isn’t out of the question.

But Feiyue Construction Company needs only two to three years. Two years is the fastest, and three years is the maximum required to build New Cairo City successfully, promised to be an oasis city for Pharaoh Kingdom!

"Director Chen, judging by current progress, you’re doing pretty well. Keep up the good work. You know how important New Cairo City is to us at Mist City Arts and Science University and Feiyue Construction Company."

Ding Yue replied to Director Chen Ping on Whatsapp.

However, Director Chen Ping didn’t immediately reply. Ding Yue guessed that he might be busy, given that the timing between New Cairo City and Mexico City is different.

Since Director Chen Ping didn’t reply, Ding Yue put down his phone and decided to go to sleep.

Even though it’s night abroad, it’s daytime in China. Thus, the news about the national team’s victory over America was occupying major headlines online back home.

From now on, domestic fans are eagerly looking forward to the national team advancing from Group D and are hopeful for even better performances in the World Cup.

Within these two days.

After watching the national team’s match with America, Tunisia held an urgent meeting to study the national team.

Given that the national team’s performance was so unexpected, Tunisia had considered them weak before, almost seeing them as the weakest among the four teams in Group D.

But now, it seems the national team might be the strongest in Group D.

Of course, Tunisia also aims to advance from Group D, so they conducted a comprehensive study of the national team, pouring over the match between the national team and America countless times.

Ultimately, Tunisia’s research yielded results.

They discovered the national team has formidable offense and defense.

Therefore, Tunisia decided to focus more on an intense defense against the national team’s offensive players. This would help limit attacks from the national team, creating opportunities for themselves.

"Our opponent this time isn’t weak, don’t underestimate them, go all out!"

Tunisia’s head coach instructed the players, preparing them mentally as they hadn’t fully adjusted their mindset yet.

"From what I saw, the national team doesn’t seem that impressive."

A main offensive player from Tunisia commented.