In the deepest winter of the crypto world, there is a resilience called 'holding'. When countless candlesticks fall silent, when market noise disappears, true believers never let go of their chips. This is not a blind bet, but a profound trust in the technological vision and community consensus—believing that a fairer and more transparent future woven by code will eventually arrive. This silent adherence is like the long wait of Chinese football for twenty-two years.
Tonight, at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a long-awaited conclusion will unfold. The Chinese U23 men's football team stands on the stage of the Asian Cup final again after twenty-two years. The last time they were this close to the pinnacle of Asia was in 2004 with the senior national team, where they ignited the hopes of the entire nation at the Beijing Workers' Stadium, only to ultimately watch the Japanese team lift the trophy with a score of 1-3, leaving a twenty-two-year-long regret in the hearts of the nation. From the senior team's setbacks to the U23 team's previous failures—4 group exits in 5 tournaments, with 3 at the bottom—each failure has carved a crack in the foundation of 'faith'.
However, true value often emerges from perseverance and reconstruction during the darkest moments. In this tournament, the team led by Cheng Yaodong announced the arrival of a new era with an epic five-game winning streak and no goals conceded. They have built an unshakeable defense like the hardest blockchain network: goalkeeper Li Hao's incredible saves are the network's 'encryption algorithm,' while center-back Peng Xiao and captain Liu Haofan's interceptions are the 'immutable consensus.' With extreme discipline and cooperation, they have rendered every opponent's attack invisible, completely putting to rest the old narrative that 'the defense of Chinese football is vulnerable.'
Their opponent, the Japanese team, represents another perfect system. Like the most mature and efficient mainstream public chain in the crypto world, they are known for their smooth transitions and precise finishing, having scored a staggering 12 goals in the group stage so far, making them the sharpest 'smart contract' of this tournament. Tonight's clash is the ultimate collision between the newborn 'faith chain' and the mature 'hegemonic chain.'
This is not just a contest between two teams, but a dialogue between two spirits. What we witness is the power of 'waiting' itself—whether it is the XPL community silently building its ecosystem in the bear market, waiting for value discovery; or generations of footballers quietly solidifying youth training amidst insults and lows, waiting for the dawn to break. Coach Antonio said, 'Football is full of uncertainties; we will make special things happen.' This 'uncertainty' is the cornerstone of all believers' faith: it believes that beyond logic and data, human will, team belief, and momentary courage can create miracles.
Beijing time 23:00, the whistle blows.
This is no longer just a football match. It is a solemn answer to twenty-two years of waiting, a tribute to all those who have held onto their faith through the long night. No matter where you are, let us turn our gaze to that green field. Watch how these young people use their bodies as shields and their beliefs as swords to complete a 'value validation' that transcends time and space. Tonight, may our shared perseverance lead us to that brightest light.
Chinese youth, fight! For all the beliefs that have never extinguished.