Chapter 60 - Ultimate (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

As pedestrians and people who had been preparing for a nice day out cursed the bloody weather, the same applied to the two teams on the Yingcai soccer field.

The wet ground meant that Ma Ni could not freely use his 90 Degrees move. There was an occasion when he attempted it, and while he did prod the ball away, without a stable supporting foot, he slipped and fell, losing the ball in the process.

However, during the few times that he slipped, there had been Shu Guang players around him. The referee would then quickly follow-up with a whistle for a Shu Guang foul. Already fed up with his shenanigans, the Shu Guang team did not bother to argue—as long as there were no penalties or bookings, they would let him do as he wished.

In the second half, Yang Pan was a changed man. He would swing his leg to shoot once he got the ball, no matter where he was!

His first drive knocked against the goalpost. It left the post quaking for some time and sprayed mud across the faces of Yingcai defenders who stood nearby. After that, no one stood guard to block his shots whenever he prepared to shoot—their lives hung in the balance.

Every shot that whistled past them also seemed to strike deep into the Yingcai players’ morale, and Sima Hongxin’s as well.

The keeper breathed heavily under the rain, unable to recall how many times he was beseiged by Yang Pan. Each time he saw the ball flying towards him, he would instinctively dive towards it. He kept it out regardless of whether he was using his hands, feet or body.

He initially stood firmly, but soon, he was struggling to pick himself off the muddy ground. Still, he would return to his stance in front of the goalpost every single time.

“It’s useless…”

Zhang Jun turned around. It had been Sima Hongxin who said that.

“It’s useless. He’s already tried so many times. He’s never going to score! As long as I’m here, you people won’t score!”

Zhang Jun smiled.

Eleven minutes into the second half.

Shu Guang stole the ball in the midfield and went on a fast break. Kaka passed to Yang Pan, who sprinted up alone. The rain did not impede his speed, and the Yingcai defense kept retreating farther behind due to his ferocious dribble.

Once he got to the semi-circled edge of the box, Yang Pan took a shot!

The motion of his foot pulled his whole body into the air, and the ball thundered across the field!

This time, it was a direct shot! Sima Hongxin leaped with his hand stretched towards it.

“Bang!*

The ball hit him and bounced out, but the keeper fell inside the goal!

Zhang Jun dashed at the rebound. At the shocked gasps of the Yingcai fans, who finally realized what was going on, he spread his body and bent like a bow preparing to unleash an arrow!

He volleyed!

This time, every Yingcai player—including Ma Ni and Sima Hongxin, who was still laying inside the net—could only watch as the ball flew in and hit the back of the net forcefully.

It went in!

This time, Yang Pan was not offside, Zhang Jun was not offside and there was not a single foul play on Shu Guang’s part. Reluctantly, the referee awarded the goal.

Kaka rushed in and slammed the ball back into the goal viciously.

1: 2!

Zhang Jun stepped in front of Sima Hongxin. “He never intended to score from the start, he was creating a chance for me.”

“It can’t be…”

“We were waiting for the moment you’d be knocked behind your post!”

In no time at all, Zhang Jun was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.

As usual, Su Fei screamed and jumped up excitedly, cheering at the top of her lungs alongside the substitutes in the rain.

Even the quiet Liang Ke showed a hint of a smile.

Along with the other Yingcai players, Ma Ni could feel the distinct danger that lay ahead with the recent turn of events. Even the Yingcai fans on the stands were gradually losing decibels— they had felt the lopsided nature of the competition. There were even occasions where the team needed the referee’s blatant help to not concede more goals.

Furthermore, Yingcai was being pressed down into its own half.

It also meant that Ma Ni’s pre-match analysis had been proven.

“…they’re only scary if the team is focused. But once they scatter, they won’t be a danger.”

The first part of it, at the very least; The Shu Guang team was not only focused, it was extremely focused.

As for the second part, Ma Ni would most likely be unable to see it for himself in this game.

The rain was decreasing in volume once more. However, the surface of the pitch was as muddy as ever, especially on Yingcai’s half. Both teams had been playing there so intensely that the landscape was devastated. Shu Guang had to decrease their dribbles accordingly and play more passes—it was too easy to lose the ball in such conditions.

They began to play elevated balls, crossing each time they made a breakthrough, or lobbing at 45° angles into the box. Zhang Jun was a specialist in aerial duels, a holistic player and an accomplished header of the ball. Kaka would slip behind the lines to get a header as well; his 186-cm height was a significant advantage.

There was such a cluster of attacks in front of Yingcai’s goal that it felt like a battlefield filled with bullets and shells darting around. Their defenders were left helpless in these aerial duels—they could never get to the ball even if they jumped. The most they could do was act as running interference.

Nonetheless, Sima Hongxin was still there.

Zhang Jun’s goal clearly did not have much of an effect on the keeper. He kept himself busy, a silent guardian between the two vertical posts; it would not do to just crumble from a single goal.

Still, with the incessant passes to the flanks, and crosses, the Yingcai defense was growing weary.

All of a sudden, Kaka lobbed an overhead pass!

Zhang Jun moved promptly behind the defenders!

Understanding the threat of his sudden burst of speed, Sima Hongxin dared not tarry and charged out!

Zhang Jun managed to squeeze out a shot!

Sima Hongxin jumped to block!

The ball was slapped away by the keeper, but both players collided!

Su Fei’s chest tightened and she only breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Zhang Jun jumping up quickly and helping Sima Hongxin to his feet.

The referee ran over to give Zhang Jun a verbal warning for charging at the goalkeeper, but there was nobody left who cared about the clown anymore.