Tang En looked at George Wood, who was standing opposite him. George was also looking at him with a determined gaze. He opened his mouth and said, "George …"
At that moment, a loud roar came from the stands, sweeping over and swallowing up all of Tang En's following words. Wood only saw Tang En's mouth open and close, but he did not hear what he said at all.
Did he agree to let him play or not?
Podolski's long shot bounced off the crossbar, and the sudden cheers came to an abrupt end. Only then did Wood hear Tang En's last words.
"… Go warm up."
A hint of joy flashed across Wood's face. He knew that Tang En had agreed to his request. Wood turned around and grabbed his training vest from his seat, running to the warm-up area.
His teammates and coaches looked at his back in shock, unable to react.
Des Walker walked to Tang En's side and asked, "You plan to let him play, Tony?"
Tang En nodded.
"But his injury hasn't healed yet …"
"That's what I think, Des." Tang En turned back to look at his partner. "George's physical fitness is different from ordinary people. This small injury shouldn't hurt him."
Walker grinned. "I hope you're right, Tony … If not, you'll ruin his career."
Tang En did not refute Walker's words because he also had the same worry in his heart. I hope I'm right …
Wood desperately suppressed the excitement in his heart, not letting his warm-up movements be too big to avoid another problem. However, he had already become the focus of everyone's attention.
"George?!" His teammate Gareth Barry, who was also warming up, looked at Wood with some surprise. "Are you going to play?" There was only one spot left. If Wood was going to play, then he himself would not need to warm up anymore.
"Yeah." Wood nodded.
Barry froze for a moment before reacting. That's right. What the team needed now was defense. In terms of defensive ability, Wood was definitely stronger than him. However …
"How's … your injury?"
"There's no problem at all!" Wood answered resolutely, afraid that others would infer the truth from his tone.
Not only Gareth Barry, but the others also noticed Wood warming up by the side of the field.
"Let's see who this is! George Wood! "John Mortensen cried excitedly." He's warming up! Is this a sign that he's going to appear? "
"Before the game, England's team doctor admitted that George Wood's injury has not recovered to the point where he can play in the game. So why is he warming up on the sidelines now?" The German commentator was very puzzled. Was this Tony Twain's plan to mislead his troops?
Sammer, the head coach of the Germany team, also saw Wood because the area where both teams were warming up was next to the Germany team's bench. He frowned. If Wood was going to play, it would be a sign to strengthen their defense. Wood's ability to intercept in the midfield was the best in the world. If he were to play, the Germany team's offense would be in trouble.
Thinking of this, he walked to the sidelines and gave the signal to the players on the field to step up the offense. We must equalize the score before England makes any adjustments!
The England fans in the stands quickly spotted George Wood warming up. They got excited. Even though Germany was still in possession of the ball, the England fans in the stands suddenly burst into deafening cheers, "Saint George! Saint George! Saint George is coming back! "
Yes, when the England team was surrounded and bombarded by the Germany team, everyone felt that Joe Hart's goal could be lost at any time. At this time, how they wished that there was someone who could stabilize their emotions and keep the Germans out of the attack. In the eyes of the fans, George Wood, who was famous for his defense, was the most suitable candidate. Unfortunately, he was injured and could only watch the show from the bench.
Now it was different. Saint George was coming back! We have hope!
The television broadcast gave Wood a 15-second close-up. The fans who were watching the television broadcast in England cheered.
And Sophia, who was sitting at home watching the game, also blushed.
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Gerrard saw Wood warming up off the field and he also knew what it meant. He suddenly hated his age now. At 36 years old, he was not a 26-year-old boy who could still run tirelessly. Now he was powerless. The Germans could see that his physical strength was rapidly declining and they used him as a breakthrough point. Two threatening shots were completed by him.
He knew that George's foot had not recovered. If the team did not need to strengthen its defense at the moment, he would not have risked playing.
Damn it … If he could be four years younger, he would not be in such a mess now.
Podolski, the Germany striker, once again pulled out of the penalty area to try a long shot. This time, Gerrard crossed in front of him and shot a powerful kick right in the middle of his chest!
After a muffled bang, Gerrard fell back to the ground and did not get up again. His chest hurt and his body was very tired. He just wanted to lie on the ground like this to delay a little more time for the team. This was also the last step he could do for the team.
After seeing Gerrard fall to the ground, Joe Mattock dismissed the idea of launching a counterattack. He kicked the ball directly into the stands and then signaled the referee to ask the team doctor to come up.
"This is delaying the game time!" The German commentator shouted with dissatisfaction. The German fans in the stands also booed in protest. Instead, the England fans sang and applauded for Gerrard.
When Wright ran onto the field with the stretcher again, George Wood had returned to Twain's side and was taking off his vest.
Twain did not ask Wood about the condition of his right big toe. Since he had decided to let Wood play, these questions were no longer important.
"There are eight minutes left. Including the injury stoppage time, there are about ten minutes left. George, your task is very simple. Go up and defend. Cut off the connection between the German midfielders and strikers and don't let them take too many long shots in the front of the penalty area. The German's long shots are very high and can't be taken lightly. "
Wood nodded and threw his vest to his teammate. After resting for two games, his cheeks were slightly red with excitement as he put on his gear again.
"OK, I won't say anything unnecessary. You must know what to do. Go, George, that's your stage … "Twain pointed to the green field and pushed him out.
When Wood stood next to the fourth official, waiting to go on the field, the television broadcast gave a close-up of Wood's broad and thick back. The golden number 13 and the name "WOOD" were very eye-catching.
"It's reassuring to see this name! Yes, George Wood is back in front of us again after sixty-five days away because of his injury! He's back on the stage where he fights! When England needs him most, her guardian, Saint George, descends from the sky and returns with glory! " John Motson excitedly gave all the praises he could think of to the man standing on the sidelines.
Gerrard slowly walked off the field with the help of the team doctor, Wright. He did not forget to use this to buy a little more time. When he walked to the sidelines, he held out his hand to Wood, intending to shake his hand. He did not expect Wood to directly swing his hand into his palm and give him a powerful high-five.
The two men did not say anything. Gerrard walked off the field with his head down and Wood ran up with his head held high.
The moment Wood stepped onto the field, the stands rang with cheers from the England fans, "Saint George bless England! Saint George bless England! Saint George bless England! "The voices became louder and louder, resounding through the sky. It completely overwhelmed the boos of the German fans who were dissatisfied with Gerrard's deliberate overlooking of the game time.
"This is a rare scene. It's just a substitution and it has such a sensational effect …" The Spanish television commentator also had to marvel at George Wood's position in the hearts of the England fans.
Wood ran onto the field and Moke, who was closest to him, reached out to him. Wood treated Moke like he did Gerrard and high-fived him. Then he high-fived Michael Johnson, Wayne Rooney and Aaron Mitchell one after another until he ran to his position.
"Tony Twain raised the flag of Saint George on the flagship. He told the Germans that his fleet would fight to the death and never back down!" Motson clenched his fist and waved.
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Toni Kroos found that the opposing number 13 just standing in front of him made him feel inexplicable pressure. It was as if it was a very difficult thing to break through him.
Schweinsteiger slapped him on the back and said, "He's injured. Continue to use him as a breakthrough point! Give me the ball later. "
"I've observed his running posture on the field myself. His right foot is still unnatural. This shows that George Wood's injury has not recovered. Perhaps Twain brought on Wood just to boost the team's morale. After all, it is not something for the English to be happy about to be suppressed by us and not be able to play out of the half of the field. Wood's actual role is not that big. He can still be used by us here! "The German commentator said confidently.
But George Wood soon made all those who doubted him lose face.
When Schweinsteiger was about to dribble the ball past Wood, the ball under his feet was kept by Wood. He staggered and fell to the ground. He raised his hands and intended to ask for a place kick, but the referee ignored him and signaled him to hurry up and not to stay on the ground.
The stands erupted again with the shouts of the England fans, "Saint George bless England! Saint George bless England! "
"YES!" In the England technical area on the sidelines, the coaches also waved their fists excitedly. Before this, everyone was still worried that Wood was trying to show off. Now it seemed that even though he had not played for sixty-five days, his form was still maintained. There was no sign of him being out of practice at all.
Next, it was Toni Kroos' turn. He hesitated a little when he dribbled the ball in the middle and was knocked to the ground by George Wood. Although it gave the German team a free kick, it was thirty-five meters away from the goal and was really not a threat …
"Good one, George!" Fat John led his brothers in the stands and shouted, "Show the Germans what you're made of!"
"What an aggressive defense! This is the ability of the world's number one defensive midfielder, George Wood! "The commentators from the neutral countries exclaimed. The German commentator's face darkened.
Rolfes tried to do a long shot. He intended to swing his thigh in a circle, but it took a long time to prepare. George Wood, who was eyeing him covetously at the side, broke the ball with a clean tackle. Rolfes kicked the air and fell straight out.
"No foul! No foul! " Motson defended Wood. At the same time, the referee's gesture made the England fans breathe a sigh of relief — it was indeed not a foul. It was a beautiful defense that could not be any more beautiful.
Rolfes lay on the ground and glared at Wood in dissatisfaction. It almost made him shiver — George Wood was staring at him coldly. His expression was as if he was looking at a lump of beef. There was no fluctuation of emotion.
In fact, this was Wood's most habitual expression. Every time he knocked someone down, he would stare at the other person unkindly, like a lion staring at its prey. It made people very uncomfortable. He also would not take the initiative to reach out to pull the other person up. He would not deliberately do such a thing to please the referee.
Three defenses caused three different opposing players to fall to the ground. It was embarrassing. This was George Wood. Even if he was injured, he should not be underestimated!
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For the fourth time, Wood blocked Podolski's powerful long shot.
The fans in the stands did not stop singing the praises of "Saint George". Motson's tone was also very excited. The England coaching staff cheered on Wood's every successful defense on the sidelines. After Wood came on, England's defense suddenly stabilized.
But they did not know that every time Wood's right foot exerted force, there was a piercing pain. After all, he had not fully recovered there. How could such a strenuous exercise not affect the injury? But outsiders absolutely could not see any unusual expression on his face. He behaved as if he had never been injured.
He had only been running for five minutes, but his back and front were already soaked in sweat. It was not because he was tired. It was because he was in pain.
Twain noticed a pool of water stains on Wood's front. He guessed the reason, and his brows furrowed more and more.
For example, there were three minutes left until the end of the ninety minutes. The injury stoppage time might be four to five minutes. He hoped that George Wood's right foot would not make any more mistakes in these eight minutes.
He had never felt that eight minutes would be so long as it was today …
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George Wood almost single-handedly propped up the defensive position in front of the England center back line. After all, Michael Johnson had been running non-stop on the field for more than eighty minutes. His stamina was not as good as before. He had some spare energy to defend. Downing and Moke were not good at defending. Of the four players in the entire midfield, only George Wood, who had just come on, could defend.
Mitchell had long let Twain move to the penalty area as a center back to defend against high balls. Only Rooney was left in front, ready to use his speed to counterattack. But from the 75th minute onwards, he had not used it. Rooney also returned to the midfield and actively participated in the defense.
His teammates knew in their hearts that the captain's injury must not have fully recovered, so they could not let him carry the heavy responsibility of defending alone. They had to put in some effort even if they were tired.
In the next three minutes, George Wood appeared on the television less often. Players like Moke were desperately defending, and they shared a large part of the pressure for Wood. But the Germans could clearly see from the sweat stains on Wood's chest that he was just holding on. They set their sights on Wood's side and bombarded indiscriminately. They must use the tactic of fatigue to blast open a gap in Wood's defense.
The fourth official had just raised the sign on the sidelines that it was not five minutes when George Wood launched a fierce fight with the opponent's Rolfes in front of the penalty area.
It was a 50-50 kick. The Germans were unwilling to give up, and George Wood naturally could not move aside. The two men rushed towards the football with all their might. Then they collided spectacularly. The football was kicked off by Wood first. Rolfes did not kick the football, but kicked Wood's right foot instead …
A sharp pain started from the tip of his foot and drilled straight into his heart. Wood was in so much pain that he almost cried out. But just as the sound reached his throat, he suddenly closed his mouth. Although his voice was stifled, the expression of pain that instantly emerged on his face betrayed his current situation.
Just then, the television broadcast gave him a close-up shot. Wood's painful look was magnified ten times and appeared on the television screen. The England fans who were cheering for him just now all shut their mouths. They knew that "Saint George" was still injured.
Twain naturally saw Wood's expression, and his heart skipped a beat. An ominous feeling rose in his heart.
But the expression only lasted for two seconds. In the next second, Wood abruptly stopped his body from falling. With one hand on the ground, he jumped up from the ground again and chased after the football. It was impossible to tell that he had just been kicked in the injury.
He grabbed the football before Schweinsteiger and gently hooked it to the outside. He stopped and accelerated to avoid Schweinsteiger who was rushing too hard.
"Beautiful pass!"
The England fans, who had just been worried about Wood's right big toe, let out deafening cheers at this time.
Today's George Wood was no longer the silly boy who only knew how to take long kicks when he got the ball. After he passed Schweinsteiger, he looked up to the front and wanted to launch an attack. As a result, he was a little surprised to find that the front was full of German players wearing white jerseys. Rooney helped with the defense on the sidelines. He did not expect Wood to choose to control the ball instead of taking long kicks, so he did not run forward to receive him.
He could not let the football stay at his feet for too long. Wood looked at the German goalkeeper, Adler, who had already occupied the top of the penalty arc. He directly swung his leg and kicked the football hard towards the German team's goal!
The cheers of the English people grew louder and louder. In the midst of this sound, Adler hurriedly retreated in a somewhat embarrassed manner. Fortunately, the football eventually flew over the crossbar, otherwise he might have been embarrassed …
"George Wood has proved his value as the core of England. Whether it is defense or offense, he is calm. Looking at him, it seems that there will be no problem with him around. What a reassuring player! "Motson was once again not stingy with his praise.
Even the neutral Spanish fans gave George Wood a warm round of applause for the injured player. The only people who were dissatisfied with Wood's performance were probably the Germans …
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Twain really had the urge to cry when he saw such a mature George Wood off the field. This was a world of difference from the young boy ten years ago! But he did not forget to protect Wood. He shouted Rooney's name on the sidelines and told him not to go to the sidelines, but to help Wood defend in the middle and share the pressure for him.
There were still four minutes left. They would win if they could get through it! At this time, he did not feel the slightest joy of winning the game. He just hoped that Wood's right big toe would not have any more accidents.
If he only hurt George Wood for the sake of winning this game … he would not spare himself.
"You must not get hurt again, George …" Twain prayed for Wood in his heart.
At the same time, Sophia was also praying for her son.
Because of Wood, it became difficult for the German team's offense to break into England's penalty area. They could only choose to take long shots. If it were not for the Germans' superb long shots, the English fans could have celebrated the victory of the game in advance.
Despite the help of Rooney and the other teammates, George Wood was still the focus of the camera lens. He was simply too dazzling, because he kept running. His figure could be seen in any dangerous place. The camera could not stop filming him.
"Even though his foot injury has not fully recovered, his performance can be called world-class!" Motson exclaimed again. "In the face of such a tenacious George Wood, a group of star players in the German team can do nothing! Other than long shots, they don't even have a chance to kick the ball from the sidelines! "
Indeed, when Marko Marin had just planned to use his footwork skills to trick Wood into lifting his leg to pass the ball into the middle, he was chased by Wood and kicked the ball out of the end line. Although it gave the opponent a corner kick, it did not stop the German team's attack.
For the next corner kick, Wood stuck in his position again and jumped first to head the flying football out.
"If I were to rate after the game, I would not hesitate to award the best player of the game to England's number 13, George Wood!" The Spanish television commentator said.
"He was the most dazzling star in the last ten minutes of the game. He is worthy of being England's flag bearer! I'm a little glad that he sat on the bench throughout the game against us … "The Portuguese commentator commented. Although his country had lost to England 2: 4, in the face of such a tenacious George Wood, he could not help but feel respect.
"This is George Wood who has not recovered from his foot injury. If it was a healthy George Wood … how scary would it be?" The Italian commentator began to wonder what would happen if his country were to meet England?
"He is England's King Kong!" The Chinese commentator's comment was much simpler, but more sensational …
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While Wood was struggling on the field, England's substitutes had already gathered together and waited on the sidelines, ready to celebrate another victory against Germany and their advancement from the group stage.
There was less than half a minute before the end of the injury stoppage time. And the German team still could not find a better solution. Sammer had already used up the remaining substitutes in his hands, but he still could not break through the England defense led by Wood. Now, he was no longer anxiously pacing back and forth on the sidelines. Instead, he had quietened down. Perhaps he had already accepted the outcome. He did not expect George Wood to request to play at the last minute despite his injury. He also did not expect Tony Twain to actually agree to such a ridiculous request …
George Wood did not let his guard down because of the way his substitutes behaved. For him, he would never stop running until he heard the referee's three whistles. In addition, for him, who had not participated in a game for sixty-five days, he even hoped that the game would last a little longer …
When he kicked Toni Kroos's big ball out of the sidelines for the last time, he heard the referee's whistle. Three whistles, not one less, and the game was over!
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PS, today's outburst is complete. If you enjoy watching the big pieces, please continue to buy tickets ~
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