China failed to qualify for the World Cup, so soccer-loving fans are cheering for a referee instead
BEIJING — For soccer fans like Miko Zhang, China’s failure to qualify for this year’s World Cup is almost beside the point.
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Early on Wednesday, as Argentina sealed a 3-0 victory over Algeria, hundreds of fans gathered on the courtyard lawn of Beijing’s Argentine Embassy to cheer the team on. Some wore the country’s blue-and-white jerseys while lounging on soccer-ball-shaped beanbags, while others relished in an early barbecue lunch featuring Argentine beef.
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“I’m used to it! Maybe in 10 years. For now, we have Messi,” Zhang, 34, told NBC News when asked about China’s absence from the tournament.
