Chapter 20 (2/2)
“Defenders, you also need to pay some attention to this guy. He’s only played football for a year in middle school, but he was cut off the team for getting into a fight. However, his technique is considerably good. In their encounter against Nanyang, he alone managed to mince that prided defense of theirs. Still, his physical strength is sub-par. Liu Chao, I’ll leave him to you.”
“Don’t worry, Coach!”
In that moment, the screen replayed the exact moment when Yang Pan scored. Even through the television, the ball traveled in a flash as it thumped into the net just next to the keeper’s face. The pitch boiled.
The entire locker room went quiet, save for the sounds of the TV set.
After what felt like half a day, Zhang Lintao finally spoke, “I hate to admit it… But, if he was allowed to shoot at that distance, I would definitely not be able to stop it… It’s too fast…”
When he spoke, Li Yongle noticed that something had changed in Zhang Lintao’s voice―the keeper had always been very confident.
Even Luo Bin, who just argued with Zhang Lintao added with a rather low voice, “If he does that in the next match to… No way! There’s no way he’ll be allowed into the penalty area!”
“It’s a pity then. He could very well play as a striker in the next game. Zhang Jun’s unexpected injury has moved him to the striker’s position,” Zhao Defeng said, looking at the screen.
“The status of Zhang Jun’s injury isn’t clear. There’s no telling if he’ll be playing against us. However, there’s no doubt that he is a threat. His acceleration in 5 to 15 m is even faster than Yang Pan’s; and in the small range of the penalty area, that speed can leave anyone behind. That’s why he must never be allowed inside the box, much less be allowed to turn! If he plays this Saturday, you’ll be watching him, Li Yongle.”
Li Yongle nodded.
“So, only those four first year students in Shu Guang require some attention,” Zhang Yuchao said as he leaned back in his chair with both hands cupping the back of his head. “The others aren’t even worth mentioning!”
“No,” Sun Laihong replied. “Their No. 10, Wang Bo is another capable player. He can execute his coach’s orders to the letter, and there are times when his runs into the box are threatening.”
“And then there’s their captain, Su Li, No. 8,” Zhao Defeng added. “He’s a very stubborn fellow and he managed to crumble Shui Huajun’s will in the first round. His skills are a bit rough, he isn’t tall and he’s average in the strength department. However, he possesses nerves of steel―a fitting choice for a captain!”
“It’s rare to hear our captain singing praises of another!” Li Qiang laughed. “How lucky are our ears!”
“I’m just telling it as it is,” Zhao Defeng answered. “I don’t know if I can even last 80 minutes against his style of defending…”
“Hey! Even our captain is losing confidence!” Li Qiang teased.
“I’m just telling it as it is.”
“Ah! Your personality really makes people speechless…”
“I don’t think we have much to worry about,” Zhang Yuchao offered. “As long as we can decide the game in the first half, we can play around with them in the second!”
“That’s enough,” Sun Laihong interrupted the bickering. “Whatever the case may be, we will play our soccer. No opposition will find a way to stop our advances. Tell me loudly, what is Zhongyuan’s soccer?”
“Victory!” everyone answered in unison.
“Very good! Dismissed!”
…
“I have a question.” Zhang Jun looked at Su Fei, who was holding him up.
“Ask away.”
“Why is Yang Pan running off as soon as training ends every day? He doesn’t even stop when he’s called.”
“You didn’t know? I heard that his luck with the females has finally come and he’s been busy going on dates.”
“So that’s it. Still, Yang Pan is dense when it comes to girls. Why would a girl suddenly take a liking towards him?”
“Maybe it’s after seeing his performance on the soccer pitch.”
“That’s right! That kid’s absolutely cool. Although, really, having you carry me home every day, that guy is totally putting hoes before bros! I’ll never forgive him!”
“Hehe! It’s nothing.”
Some distance away.
“Ah-choo!” Someone sneezed loudly.
…
The players were having shooting drills on the training ground. Li Yongle’s shot inside the penalty area clung to the ground and rolled wide off the posts.
Sun Laihong asked Zhao Defeng, who was beside him, “Do you notice anything?”
“You’re talking about Li Yongle’s shooting?”
“Correct, Li Yongle!” The coach waved.
The player ran up to the pair.
“Can you tell us why you prefer ground shots?”
“It’s more difficult to be saved by the keeper.”
“I see. Come here.” Sun Laihong held the ball and carried it to the edge of the penalty box. “Watch carefully.”
He then shouted at Zhang Lintao, “Stay on your guard! Don’t let up!”
Zhang Lintao responded by getting into his standard preparation pose.
Sun Laihong then started dribbling and right on the line of the penalty area, he raised his foot to shoot. There was nothing special about the shot as the ball left the ground slightly. Zhang Lintao dived elegantly, confident that he could stop it.
But…
The ball suddenly dropped in front of Zhang Lintao’s hand, bounced once, and went into the net.
“This is…” Li Yongle was slightly shocked.
“A swerve shot,” Zhao Defeng explained next to him. “Using either the outer soles or the top of your leg to hit the upper center of the ball. It makes the ball curve without stopping as it flies forward to create a dropping force. If the timing and power is right, the ball will bounce once in front of the keeper and he won’t be able to time when the ball is coming precisely, making an error in the process. Basically, these shots can cause a lot of headaches for goalies. In the professional soccer scene, Brazil’s Rivaldo was representative of professional players adept at swerve shots.”
Zhang Lintao stared speechlessly at the ball inside the net. He had judged the precise point where the ball would fall, its direction and timing, but he never thought that the ball would suddenly drop, bounce and throw him off. What a devious shooting technique!
Sun Laihong turned to Li Yongle. “Just slightly above the level of your ground shot technique, the swerve shot is one of the best methods to fool the keeper. Follow what Zhao Defeng told you, keep training and repeat until you get the idea of where to hit in order to curl the ball. Figure out the timing, the power needed and the direction it should be heading.”
…
Looking at Li Yongle who was training alone against the wall, a puzzled Zhao Defeng asked his coach, “Coach, I don’t quite understand. Why are you teaching him this in such a rush?”
“It’s nothing. I just hope to see him create such a shot in the match this Saturday.”
“Saturday? That’s just three days!” The captain was visibly stunned. It was almost impossible to master a shot of such immense difficulty.
Sun Lai Hong smiled. “Just wait and see!”