Fire

夫戰勝攻取，而不修其功者凶，命曰費留。故曰：明主慮之，良將修之。非利不動，非得不用，非危不戰。主不可以怒而興師，將不可以慍而致戰。合於利而動，不合於利而止。怒可以復喜，慍可以復悅，亡國不可以復存，死者不可以復生。故明君慎之，良將警之。此安國全軍之道也。《孫子兵法火攻篇》

I have never been too interested in military news. I still remember how my secondary school classmates excitedly discussed the tactics at the Gulf War. I could not have cared less. What can be so interesting about a one-sided match?

The Art of War by Sun Tzu, however, is an exception. Often hailed as the first book on military strategies in China, The Art of War actually taught us that war should always be the last resort. One should never declare war out of anger. Having one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the best. Seizing the enemy without fighting is the best.

In addition, Sun Tzu taught us not to depend on luck. Although history mostly described stories about people winning in extreme conditions, Sun Tzu did not think much of it. The duty of a commander is to protect his country and people, not to get his name recorded in history. One should always be prepared and in an undefeatable condition. As such, victory should seem logical and not come as a surprise to other people.

No wonder so many teams embrace defensive football.