Semi-Final: Brazil U20 vs China U20 I
June 28 – Galgenwaard Stadion, Utrecht
The air inside the stadium was electric, brimming with tension and excitement as China faced off against Brazil in the semi-finals of the World Youth Championship. The stage was set for a monumental clash: the underdog dark horse against one of the sport's most storied powerhouses. Fans from all corners of the world tuned in, eager to witness this intriguing battle of grit and legacy.
The opening minutes of the game were marked by an intense battle for control of the midfield. Brazil, with their renowned flair and technical mastery, sought to impose their rhythm, while the Chinese team held their defensive structure, determined to frustrate their opponents and launch quick counterattacks when opportunities arose.
When the clock hit the 23rd minute, the breakthrough came. Brazil won a free kick in the attacking third, roughly 30 meters from goal. As the Chinese players hurried to organize their defense, Brazil's captain, Renato, stood tall, directing his teammates with authority. At 1.86 meters, Renato's presence in the box was commanding, and the Chinese defenders knew he would be a threat.
The Brazilian set-piece taker delivered a beautifully curled ball into the penalty area, whipping it toward the cluster of players. Despite being tightly marked, Renato timed his run perfectly, rising above the crowd with the kind of composure and precision that justified his captaincy. His powerful header drilled into the top corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Yang Cheng helpless as the ball rippled the back of the goal.
1-0 to Brazil.
The sudden goal sent a wave of energy through the stadium, but for the Chinese players, it was a gut punch. For a few seconds, they stood still, their expressions blank, struggling to process what had just happened.
Yang Cheng, visibly frustrated, pounded the ground with his fist, letting out a shout of disappointment. The defenders exchanged regretful glances, knowing they had lost their man at a crucial moment. The midfielder tasked with marking Renato hung his head, replaying the moment in his mind.
On the other side of the pitch, the Brazilian players exploded into celebration. A swarm of yellow jerseys rushed toward Renato, engulfing him in a jubilant embrace. They ran to the edge of the pitch, their arms outstretched to soak in the adulation of their fans, who were now roaring with joy.
The Brazilian supporters, scattered throughout the Galgenwaard Stadion, erupted in wild cheers, waving flags and pounding drums. The familiar rhythm of samba chants reverberated through the stands, amplifying the festive atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the Chinese fans remained hopeful, but the tension in their section of the stadium was palpable. They clapped and shouted words of encouragement, urging their team to regroup and fight back.
On the pitch, Yang Yang clapped his hands forcefully, snapping his teammates out of their daze. "Come on, heads up! There's still a long way to go!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.
...
...
"It's still a mistake in our defense!"
The China national television commentator's voice carried a mix of frustration and concern as he analyzed the goal. "This has been a persistent issue for us. From the very first game of this World Youth Championship, our defensive line has been shaky. Even in the match against Germany, where we didn't concede, there were multiple instances where we were lucky not to be punished."
As the slow-motion replay of Renato's header played on the screen, the commentator continued, his tone tinged with exasperation. "Looking at it carefully, Feng Xiaoting was focused on marking his man, doing what was required of him, but another defender lost track of Renato. It's these small lapses in concentration that can cost us dearly, especially in a game of this magnitude."
He paused for a moment, as if weighing the impact of his next words. "In such a critical match, against a team like Brazil, mistakes like this are hard to accept. They leave us vulnerable and undo the hard work the team has put in so far."
A second commentator chimed in, offering a more tempered perspective. "But this is football. Even the best teams make mistakes—it's part of the game. What matters now is how we respond."
The first commentator sighed, then shifted his tone to one of encouragement. "I hope the young men of our national youth team can quickly regain their composure. There's still plenty of time left in the game, and it's crucial that they stay focused. The most important thing is to stabilize the defense and not let this goal rattle them."
...
The coach on the sidelines, Krautzun, wore a deep frown as he processed the sudden goal his team had just conceded.
He had always emphasized positional defending, drilling his players relentlessly on maintaining their structure, yet somehow, they had still been breached. A momentary lapse, a small miscalculation—sometimes, even the best-laid tactics couldn't account for the unpredictable nature of the game.
Still, he couldn't fault his players' effort. They had fought hard, followed instructions, and committed themselves to the game. But football—especially in knockout competitions—was a ruthless sport. The scoreboard was the only verdict that mattered, and any mistake, no matter how minor, had to be paid for in full.
Taking a deep breath, he clapped his hands and called out, his voice firm but steady.
"It's okay, it's okay! Heads up! We still have time—stay organized at the back and prepare to hit them on the counter!"
His instructions, relayed swiftly by his interpreter, echoed across the pitch. Now, it was up to his players to respond.
...
As the Brazilian team lined up for the free kick, Yang Yang remained upfield, anticipating a chance to break on the counter. But when the ball found the back of the net, his expression darkened, and he shook his head in frustration.
This was a bitter blow.
Yet, he knew dwelling on disappointment wouldn't change anything. Almost immediately, he forced himself to refocus. The sound of Krautzun's voice from the touchline cut through the noise, reinforcing the message: there was still plenty of time.
Taking a deep breath, Yang Yang exhaled sharply and clapped his hands loudly, rallying his teammates.
"It's fine! We still have an hour left—stay calm, take your time, and don't panic."
His words carried conviction, but actions mattered more. He quickly jogged back into his own half, knowing their response in the next few minutes would be crucial.
As he returned to the defensive zone, he turned to Feng Xiao, the experienced center-back, and spoke with urgency.
"Old Feng, organize the defense. Get everyone set—they'll come at us again."
Feng Xiao, understanding the importance of composure, gave a firm nod before barking instructions at the backline. He pulled his defenders closer, reinforcing their shape, ensuring they were ready for the next wave of Brazilian pressure.
The team had conceded, but they couldn't afford to unravel. Chaos at this moment would only invite another goal.
Yang Yang made a point to check on Zhao Xuri and Cui Peng, the midfield duo responsible for shielding the defense. He placed a reassuring hand on their shoulders and spoke firmly.
"Hold your ground. Keep your positions tight. We need to protect the backline at all costs."
His voice was low but forceful, demanding their full concentration. The game wasn't lost yet, but they needed to regroup fast.
...
...
Despite both quarterfinal matches taking place on the same day, the circumstances surrounding China and Brazil were vastly different.
The Chinese team had efficiently dispatched Spain within 90 minutes, whereas Brazil had been forced into a grueling 120-minute battle. With only a two-day rest period before this clash, China held a slight physical advantage—a small edge, but an advantage nonetheless.
For this crucial match, Krautzun made a tactical shift, deviating from his usual offensive approach and opting for a balanced 4-4-2 formation. Hao Junmin was stationed on the left flank, with Cui Peng and Zhao Xuri anchoring the midfield. Chen Tao took up the right wing, while the frontline was led by Gao Lin and Yang Yang. Meanwhile, Zhou Haibin, a key presence in previous matches, was unavailable due to suspension.
Krautzun's selection and structure signaled a more cautious, pragmatic approach.
From the opening whistle, the Chinese team sat deep, retreating all three lines into their own half and stacking their defensive efforts in midfield and the backline. Given Brazil's superior individual skill, such an approach was inevitable. The only way for China to compete was through collective organization, structured teamwork, and disciplined defending.
Surprisingly, after more than twenty minutes, Brazil had yet to create a clear-cut scoring opportunity.
To Yang Yang, something felt off about the way the Brazilian team was playing.
They dominated possession, but their build-up was methodical and slow—passing with precision, moving the ball fluidly, but lacking sudden changes in rhythm or acceleration. Their technical prowess was undeniable, yet they weren't exploiting their usual speed or dynamism. This made it easier than expected for the Chinese defense to hold firm.
In contrast, Krautzun's approach emphasized quick transitions and sharp shifts in tempo, which proved effective in frustrating Brazil's rhythm. The Chinese team's speed wasn't about individual bursts of pace, but rather the entire squad transitioning rapidly between attack and defense.
With Zhou Haibin suspended, the strategy had been clear from the start—sit deep, absorb pressure, and look for counterattacks.
Yet, despite their disciplined shape, China had conceded—not through open play, but via a well-taken Brazilian free kick.
It was a frustrating moment. Brazil hadn't broken them down, yet they still found themselves trailing.
As Yang Yang replayed the situation in his mind, he quickly pinpointed a key issue—the midfield and defensive lines were too deep. The foul leading to the free kick had occurred too close to the box, a consequence of being pinned back too much.
Realizing this, Yang Yang seized the moment before the restart. He hurried over to Zhao Xuri and Cui Peng, gesturing for Feng Xiaoting to join as well.
"We're sitting too deep," he said urgently. "We need to push forward slightly. If we drop too far back, we lose any room to maneuver and leave our box exposed. We need to hold our shape higher up the pitch."
His teammates understood immediately. On reflection, they had indeed been dropping too much, leaving no buffer in front of the penalty area. If they allowed Brazil to keep pressing, they would inevitably invite more pressure and further chances.
"We'll push up appropriately," Feng Xiaoting nodded in agreement, taking it upon himself to communicate with the rest of the backline.
Yang Yang jogged back to the center circle, where Gao Lin was waiting for the kickoff. He cast him a knowing glance and grinned slightly.
"You up for this?" he asked, his tone playful but laced with determination.
Gao Lin responded with a wide smirk. "I have no idea if I can, but I'll run and see."
Yang Yang chuckled, clapping his hands once as the referee signaled for play to resume.
"Then let's do it!"
...
...
As play resumed, the Brazilian team quickly realized that the Chinese side had ramped up their intensity.
Yang Yang and Gao Lin pressed high against Brazil's defensive line, forcing hurried passes and disrupting their buildup. The midfield quartet pushed aggressively, maintaining a compact shape between the 30-meter zone and the center circle, while the defenders stepped forward to tighten the lines. China was no longer just absorbing pressure—they were dictating the tempo with relentless pressing.
Despite controlling nearly 60% possession, Brazil struggled to make it count. Their slow, methodical buildup lacked the necessary bursts of speed and unpredictability, making it easier for China's well-structured defense to contain them. Whenever they did manage to work the ball into dangerous areas, a Chinese player was there to block, intercept, or apply pressure.
Krautzun's strategy was simple yet brutally effective: high-intensity pressing and immediate counter-pressing upon losing possession. The moment China lost the ball, they collapsed on the nearest opponent, suffocating Brazil's options. This constant harassment prevented the South Americans from gaining momentum, and by the time they reached the attacking third, China's defensive block was already in place.
But the real danger for Brazil came when they made mistakes. The moment a pass went astray or a defender hesitated, China immediately launched a counterattack, sending direct balls into the space behind their high defensive line.
In the 32nd minute, China's pressure created a golden opportunity. Cui Peng read the play brilliantly, stepping in to intercept a loose pass before quickly feeding the ball to Hao Junmin. Without hesitation, Hao delivered a sharp diagonal through ball between the defenders, perfectly into Yang Yang's path.
Yang Yang exploded forward, his run perfectly timed, the Brazilian defenders caught flat-footed. He surged toward goal, the one-on-one with the keeper just moments away—
The whistle blew.
The Swiss referee halted play, raising his arm for offside.
Yang Yang stopped in disbelief, his frustration evident. He had seen the entire play unfold from his God vision, and he knew without a doubt that he had been onside. One of Brazil's defenders had lagged behind, playing him on, but the assistant referee's flag was already up.
The Chinese bench erupted in protest, while murmurs of discontent spread through the stands.
The commentators reviewed the replay.
"That is a very controversial decision!"
"From the slow-motion replay, Yang Yang appeared to be perfectly level with the last defender when he started his run. The assistant referee might have had a poor angle or obstructed vision, leading to the incorrect call."
"That was a massive chance for China! A clear one-on-one opportunity denied."
Yang Yang took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay composed. Complaining wouldn't change anything. Instead, he turned toward Hao Junmin and gave him a thumbs-up, showing appreciation for the pass.
"It's alright," he said. "If we found that gap once, we'll find it again."
He clapped his hands together forcefully, then turned to his teammates.
"Stay patient! Hold our shape, don't rush—we'll get another chance!"
"Got it!" came the collective response from his teammates across the pitch.
China had just missed a golden opportunity, but their confidence remained unshaken. The game was far from over.
...
...
Brazil quickly resumed play with a free kick, showing no intention of altering their game plan. They remained committed to their possession-based approach, carefully circulating the ball in search of an opening to penetrate China's defensive line.
The Chinese team, on the other hand, relied on relentless running and aggressive pressing, sacrificing energy to close down space and disrupt Brazil's rhythm. Every player was engaged—not just the midfielders and defenders, but also Yang Yang and Gao Lin in the attacking third, pressing Brazil's backline with unrelenting intensity. Their presence made it increasingly difficult for the Brazilian defenders to pass out from the back with ease.
While Brazil controlled possession, the flow of the match told a different story. In terms of clear-cut chances, neither side had been able to break through. The match remained a tightly contested battle, with both teams neutralizing each other's strengths.
As the minutes ticked by, Yang Yang frequently glanced at the scoreboard, his mind racing with calculations. His instincts told him that they needed to equalize before halftime. If they could enter the break at 1-1, it would be a mental boost for the team, giving them renewed belief for the second half.
He understood the psychological fragility of some of his teammates. A 0-1 deficit at halftime could sow doubt in their minds. Some players might start feeling that no matter how hard they fought, the result was already slipping away. And once discouragement set in, no amount of effort could overcome the weight of self-doubt.
The only solution was to find a way to level the score before the break.
But taking the ball off Brazil was easier said than done.
Yang Yang was reminded of his early days at Almere's youth team, struggling in Rondo drills, endlessly chasing possession with his teammates as the ball zipped around them. The frustration of never getting a touch, of being caught in an endless loop of pressure, was exactly what he was feeling now.
Brazil was treating the game like a giant Rondo exercise, calmly passing the ball around as if Yang Yang and Gao Lin were merely obstacles to be bypassed.
But two years of intense training in Rondo drills had taught him one crucial lesson—there was always a way to break the cycle. The key wasn't to chase blindly, but to read the pattern, anticipate the next pass, and strike at the right moment.
His eyes locked onto a potential weak link.
Right-back Rafinha.
If they were going to win the ball, it had to be there.