Chapter 199 192: Yang Yang's Goal

A Complete Rout! 5-0!

The day after the Chinese Team's 5-0 rout of Indonesia, the nation's most authoritative party newspaper ran an inspiring headline, giving the National Team's performance in its second match of the home-turf Asian Cup extremely high praise.

Their performance in the second match was a world of difference compared to the first.

"Like in the second half against the Bahrain Team, the National Team's starting lineup for this match featured two very distinct changes: the foreign-based player Shao Jiayi and the seventeen-year-old youngster Yang Yang were in the starting eleven."

"It was the stellar performance of these two foreign-based players that helped the Chinese Team clinch a resounding victory. Seventeen-year-old prodigy Yang Yang, in particular, opened the Gate of Victory for the Chinese Team shortly after kickoff with a long-range strike from outside the penalty area that found the back of Indonesia's net."

"After the match, numerous football pundits and veterans unanimously agreed that Yang Yang's goal was crucial. It not only relieved the Chinese Team of their mental pressure and burden but also placed immense psychological strain on the Indonesian players. Subsequently, the Chinese Team's offense became smoother and more menacing."

"National Team head coach Arie Haan also emphasized Yang Yang's goal in a post-match interview, believing it not only showcased Yang Yang's individual skill but also served as the catalyst for the National Team's landslide victory."

Regarding the National Team's 5-0 rout, Arie Haan stated that the primary factor was the players' resolute execution of the team's strategy. He stressed the importance of the fact that the team had, for the most part, implemented his desired tactical vision.

Many football professionals also agreed that the key to the Chinese Team's dismantling of Indonesia was their attack from both flanks.

"After the match, reporters interviewed former National Team head coach Horton. He believed that the key to the Chinese Team's victory lay in activating the right flank. Yang Yang's runs down the right wing were exceptionally sharp and his one-on-one skills were formidable. By attacking in concert with Yan Song on the left, they posed a massive threat to Indonesia's defense and created chances for the players in the middle."

"Horton stated that he had already heard of Yang Yang while in Europe. He had watched the Champions League final, and Yang Yang's performance had left a deep impression on him. However, compared to his time at Ajax, he believed the current Yang Yang had clearly improved a great deal and was playing with more confidence. He was one of the very few players on the Chinese Team who dared to take on defenders and directly attack the backline."

"Horton added that watching Yang Yang play for the National Team, it was hard to believe he was only seventeen. He still had some flaws, but that only proved he had enormous untapped potential. Horton was confident that before long, Yang Yang would become the National Team's talisman."

The report concluded with the party newspaper reporter noting that despite the huge win, Indonesia's overall strength was admittedly insufficient to challenge the Chinese Team on their home soil. The National Team was advised to guard against arrogance and impatience, continue to play a steady game, and focus on performing well in every match.

...

Hitting the newsstands at almost the same time as the authoritative party newspaper, countless other papers across the country, big and small, were also reporting on the National Team's massive win.

The outstanding performances of Yang Yang and Shao Jiayi both received unanimous praise, especially Yang Yang's goal.

The goal set a new record, making him the youngest goalscorer in the history of Chinese Football. Many journalists and fans described it as the dawn of a brand-new era for the sport in China.

"In the post-match Man of the Match selection, the older Shao Jiayi was chosen over his younger teammate Yang Yang. This left many of Yang Yang's fans feeling indignant, as they believed he had made a greater impact."

"According to the post-match statistics, Yang Yang played for sixty-five minutes, making four tackles and seven key passes. He attempted nine one-on-one take-ons and succeeded every time. Furthermore, he had one shot on target, was fouled a team-high five times, committed no fouls, and was caught offside three times."

"Statistically speaking, Yang Yang was unequivocally the team's most active and outstanding player. In comparison, Shao Jiayi, the Man of the Match, only surpassed Yang Yang slightly in the number of tackles and shots, and he played for ten minutes longer."

"While stats don't tell the whole story, they certainly indicate that both Yang Yang and Shao Jiayi delivered outstanding performances."

"Coincidentally, the five-person panel commissioned by the AFC was seated just behind the press box. After the match, they were reportedly quite divided on who should receive the Man of the Match award, as both Yang Yang and Shao Jiayi had been brilliant."

"In the end, they used age as the tiebreaker, awarding it to Shao Jiayi."

...

The fact that Yang Yang didn't win Man of the Match quickly sparked a debate among fans online. Many believed he was at a disadvantage due to his young age and limited playing time.

In the post-match player ratings from an influential domestic sports media outlet, Yang Yang received the highest score on the team, a 9.5, while Man of the Match Shao Jiayi only scored a 9.0.

Meanwhile, the world's three major news agencies covering the match all highlighted the Ajax player, Yang Yang, in their brief reports, with a special focus on his record-breaking first goal.

Agence France-Presse went on to state in its article that Yang Yang had carried over his excellent form from the Toulon Cup, unleashing astonishing attacking power on the Chinese Team's right flank and leading them to a resounding victory with a goal and an assist.

The Netherlands' most influential newspaper, the Telegraph, also covered the match. They spoke highly of Yang Yang's performance and interviewed his former coach from the Ajax Second Team, current Dutch National Team manager Van Basten.

Van Basten said he had seen the match highlights and thought Yang Yang had clearly sharpened his skills significantly.

"I've spoken with him on the phone several times, so I know he's been training hard and staying in shape. He's hungry for competition, which is a good thing. And based on his performance in that game, he was truly impressive. I believe he'll be one of Ajax's most important players in the upcoming season."

Ajax head coach Ronald Koeman also told the media in an interview that he had watched the match.

"Yang Yang delivered a brilliant individual performance. He showed the entire world his progress. He's clearly a much better player now than when he left the team. I'm very happy to see it, and I'm even more excited for his return."

As this news from abroad made its way back to China, the domestic media and fans' estimation of Yang Yang rose even higher.

Countless fans declared that Arie Haan should establish Yang Yang as a core starter for the National Team to let him have a greater impact. Everyone believed that Yang Yang could lead the Chinese Team to success.

But amid the soaring praise from the media and fans, Yang Yang himself remained relatively level-headed.

In a scheduled interview with National Television, Yang Yang stated that Shao Jiayi's Man of the Match award was well-deserved and that he accepted the decision. He added that missing out on the honor would only give him more motivation.

"How should I put it... I had a month off from playing between the Toulon Cup and the Asian Cup. Right now, I'm just hungry to play. I'm still far from my peak form, and I believe I can do even better."

When asked about his hopes for this year's Asian Cup, Yang Yang said he hoped to keep the trophy in China.

"That's not just my personal goal; it's the shared hope of the entire team and all the fans across the nation."

...

...

The Chinese Team first defeated Bahrain, then Indonesia, securing two straight victories in the group stage.

In the other group matches, Indonesia beat Qatar 2-1 in the first round, while Qatar drew 1-1 with Bahrain in the second. As a result, the Chinese Team's two consecutive wins were enough to secure their advancement from the group in first place with a game to spare.

This meant that the Chinese Team would remain in Beijing for the next stage.

Since they had already qualified from the group, the final match against Qatar was largely meaningless. Arie Haan therefore rotated the squad, and several players, including Yang Yang and Shao Jiayi, were rested.

The Chinese Team managed a narrow 1-0 victory over Qatar, thanks to a goal from Xu Yunlong.

In the other match, Bahrain defeated Indonesia 3-1, joining the Chinese Team in advancing from the group.

In the subsequent knockout stage draw, China, as group winners, avoided facing Bahrain again. They also dodged the strongest team, Iran, and were drawn against Iraq.

The other three quarter-final matchups were Uzbekistan versus Bahrain, Japan versus Jordan, and South Korea, who had the worst luck of the draw, facing Iran.

...

...

「July 30th. Beijing Workers' Stadium.」

Inside a sold-out Beijing Workers' Stadium, the Asian Cup quarter-final knockout stage officially kicked off.

The Chinese Team once again fielded a 4-4-2 formation, with Yang Yang and Shao Jiayi back in the starting lineup.

Just two minutes after kickoff, Yan Song's run down the left was thwarted, but he managed a square pass to the edge of the penalty area. Shao Jiayi delicately chipped a pass toward the far post. Yang Yang made a blistering diagonal run into the box, chested the ball down, and immediately unleashed a powerful drive with his right foot.

The moment he struck the ball, Yang Yang turned and ran without even watching it go in. He sprinted all the way to the stands where his parents, who had traveled a long distance to be there, were seated. He slid on his knees across the turf by the sideline, arms raised high in celebration.

His teammates mobbed him from behind, shaking him in their excitement.

1-0!

No one could have imagined it—Yang Yang had scored just two minutes into the match!

'Only Yang Yang himself knew just how good his form was right now.'

'He couldn't explain it; he'd never experienced anything like it before. It felt like he was in the zone, where every touch, every shot, was perfect.'

'And it had to be said, Iraq's defending just now had been incredibly loose.'

Seeing Yang Yang score so early in the game, the fans in the Beijing Workers' Stadium leaped from their seats, erupting in thunderous applause as countless voices throughout the stadium chanted his name.

The live broadcast cut to a shot of Yang Yang's parents in the stands, along with Su Ye, who was sitting beside his mother. They all looked incredibly emotional. Meanwhile, countless fans watching at home were captivated by Su Ye's refined beauty.

After his celebration, Yang Yang turned to embrace his approaching teammates one by one. He gave a special hug to Shao Jiayi, who had provided the assist, and to his roommate Zheng Zhi, who had orchestrated the entire play with a long, diagonal pass to Yan Song on the left wing to start the attack.

It was clear that Zheng Zhi was gradually settling into his role as a ball-playing center-back.