Chapter 29: Joyful Portugal

Chapter 29: Joyful Portugal

Netherlands!

Because it is the national team match day, Ajax's training ground seems a little deserted. Vermaelen, who has no national team match task, is training with the reserve team players under the leadership of the assistant coach.

This kind of life has lasted for several days, and Wilma has long been tired of training with a group of young reserve players.

At this time, looking at the teammates around me, one by one, packing their bags and going to their respective national teams to report, how could Vermaelen not be envious, but there are some things that one cannot envy.

Vermaelen has played for Ajax for three and a half years. In three and a half years, he has gradually grown from a fledgling boy to the captain of Ajax.

When he first came to the Netherlands, Vermaelen was just a complete rookie. In the first season, he only got one chance to play. As a result, he was loaned out at the beginning of the second season and played in Waalwijk. After scoring 2 goals in 13 league games, Ajax coach Blind noticed the progress of the rising star and called Vermaelen into Ajax in the second half of the season and cultivated him as the team's main force.

In the following season, Vermaelen played 24 times in Ajax. Due to the long-term absence of the left back due to injury, Vermaelen also got a chance to exercise on the left. His height of 182cm often makes fans Mistakenly thought that he was originally a full-back.

In fact, although he is not dominant in height, Vermaelen is a recognized man-marking master in the team, and he is not at all disadvantaged in competing for headers with big guys.

Next, Vermaelen's role in the team became more and more important. When the former Manchester United star Stam returned to his roots and returned to Ajax to play his remaining heat, he happened to form a central defender partner with Vermaelen.

Stam believes that Vermaelen is the best young defender in Europe and has a bright career future. Stam's prediction was correct, but Vermaelen was unable to win the Dutch league title with Ajax for a long time.

In the new season, Vermaelen is also looking forward to making a leap with the team. Head coach Blind has no doubts about Vermaelen's ability. After Van der Vaart left Ajax, he even passed the captain's armband to This young man who is less than 22 years old.

Vermaelen is satisfied with his current situation at the club, but he is a little frustrated that he has not been called up by the national team for a long time.

Just when Vermaelen took the football to vent, the head coach Blind came. To Blind, Vermaelen was very grateful. If Blind hadn't discovered him, perhaps his career would still be the same. Struggling in wasted time.

"Thomas! I think it's time for you to leave!" Blind put his hands behind his back, with a smile on his face.

Vermaelen was taken aback for a moment, he didn't understand what Blinder meant, leave? Does it mean that Ajax doesn't need him? Where can he go? The summer transfer period is now over!

"Coach! I don't understand!"

Blind smiled and stretched out his hand behind his back, holding a piece of paper in his hand, his eyes were full of kindness, he loved Vermaelen very much, this young Belgian, with a heart and age Completely inconsistent maturity, and among the young players he came into contact with, Vermaelen has always been the best one.

"Congratulations! Thomas! Your outstanding performance at Ajax has attracted the attention of the Belgian national team. They now let you go directly to Lisbon to join the team. I am so happy for you, Thomas!"

Vermaelen was stunned all of a sudden, seeing the solicitation letter that Blind handed him, he even forgot to pick it up, just stood there blankly, a little at a loss.

Blind smiled: "What? Thomas! Don't you want to go? Of course, I also hope to see you every day. Do you want me to help you refuse!"

Reject! ?

What an international joke!

Vermaelen had been waiting for this opportunity for several years, so he quickly snatched the recruitment letter into his hands, and after carefully reading it aside, he was sure that Blind hadn't made fun of him.

Really want to go to the national team!

Vermaelen felt his heart was going to explode, and the great joy almost made him faint.

Ever since Belgium achieved brilliant results under the leadership of Degan in the 2006 World Cup, Vermaelen has been fantasizing all the time that one day he will be able to wear the jersey of the European Red Devils and charge for the Belgian national team. It has not come, but now the opportunity has come, but he can't believe that all of this is true.

Blind is also happy for Vermaelen: "Thomas! Get ready, I have a hunch, this time you may be able to become the main force and debut as the main player!"

main force! ?

Vermaelen couldn't believe it, as long as he could be selected for the big list, he would die happily, and he wouldn't dare to expect to become the main force.

Seeing that Vermaelen didn't take it seriously, Blind said mysteriously: "I heard that Kompany is injured, and you are recruited at this time. Do you think they just need a training partner?"

Kompany is injured!

This incident can't be hidden from anyone, and it spread quickly. The Belgian fans naturally mourned. Kompany is the core of the rear and the team's pinnacle. He is injured. Who will guard the Belgian team's penalty area?

In contrast, the Portuguese were overwhelmed and elated by the news.

Although the Portuguese are confident that their team can win the European Cup tickets at home, but if the opponent's strength is weakened, of course they have no objection and will only be happy.

After playing for Fiorentina for a season, no one knows Kompany's strength. If Digan's playing will bring a great threat to Portugal's defense, then Kompany is the Portuguese team's goal. biggest obstacle.

Now that this obstacle has been destroyed by the Belgians themselves, who else can stop the attack group led by Ronaldo?

The head coach of the Portuguese team Scolari laughed so hard that his mouth was crooked. When he was interviewed by reporters, he also expressed some schadenfreude condolences.

"It's really sad news. Kompany is a great player, his ability is obvious to all, but he was injured at this critical moment. I think he must be very sad. Kompany has good news for us. But I have already warned my players, we must not take it lightly, our opponent is not Kompany alone, but without Kompany, we can win more easily!"

Easier to win?

This old girl is quite clear. Besides, even if Kompany can play, Portugal can win the final victory. Now that Kompany can't play, it will be easier for them to win!

The old thing dares to laugh at people!

When the reporters thought of how furious Degan would be when he heard Scolari's words, they couldn't help being excited, so they hurried to the hotel where the Belgian team stayed and asked to interview Degan himself.

They didn't even find a hair of Degan, and the Belgian Football Association officials also said: Degan is not accepting any form of interview now.

Although the reporters clamored that they had the right to report freely, they could not restore Degan's "escape" heart.

Reporters have almost decided that after Kompany's injury, Degan has been timid.

So what exactly is Deagan doing now?

"Get to know each other, this is our new buddy, Thomas, let me introduce myself!"

Standing beside Degan, Vermaelen actually felt a little nervous. He had heard a lot of rumors about Degan before, but after meeting him, he felt that Degan was not bad, at least he would not bully newcomers.

"Hi everyone! My name is Thomas Vermaelen, I am currently playing for Ajax, and my position is a central defender!"

Central defender! ?

Some old players in the team couldn't help being a little surprised when they heard this. They are a group of good people, so they can naturally guess what Vermaelen is doing in Lisbon.

Degan ignored the expressions of his teammates, and continued: "Thomas didn't introduce a little more. He is the captain of Ajax now. You guessed it right. He is here to replace Vincent!"

Now the expressions of the Belgian players are even more exciting. Some people don't care, some people are shocked, and some people look sad. After all, Vermaelen is here to grab the position.

Degan was a little dissatisfied with the not warm welcome to his teammates, but he couldn't get angry at the moment, so he took the initiative to extend his hand to Vermaelen: "Thomas! You are welcome to be a member of us. I believe that you can give This team has brought some changes, and I am even more confident that we will be able to surprise everyone who underestimates us in the European Cup next year!"

Vermaelen smiled and shook hands with Degan: "I'm looking forward to it too!"

The other Belgian players in the room were even more confused now, who is this kid in front of him, who can make Digan so favored, is it really a master with extraordinary strength.

Whether it is a mule or a horse can only be determined by pulling it out for a walk, but now there is no time for Vermaelen to get used to it. This afternoon is the competition, and we can only use the real competition to test Vermaelen's true strength at that time.

The final round of Euro 2008 preliminaries is about to begin. Belgium and Portugal will compete for the last spot in the first group at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon.

Before the start of the game, Degan, who had been silent before, finally spoke: "That guy seems to think that he has won, but I am here to tell him, don't be too happy, wait until the end of the game At that time, everything will have a result, but I believe that when the time comes to celebrate the victory in Lisbon, it will definitely be our Belgium!"