Chapter 83 - Finals (2/2)

“Indeed, that’s the exact way to describe it.”

“Then, who do you think will win, Mr. Zhou?”

“Well, there are many variables within Shu Guang to consider. Their weakness and advantages are obvious. Their offense relies on the tacit understanding between the players themselves and getting to play with them can be incredibly grand. If they did not get along in the first place, things would have ended being silly. However, when Shu Guang’s offense is on fire, their defenses are under tremendous pressure. As I said before, Zhongyuan High School’s defense is good, but that doesn’t mean that their offense won’t work. In fact, Zhongyuan High School’s offense does not depend on individual ability, but it is the result of the team’s effort.

“Despite the hard work that Shu Guang’s back defender has displayed, there is still a gap in strength and it is difficult for Shu Guang to prevent multiple attacks at different levels. In contrast, Zhongyuan High School is a very stable team. Although there are no shortage of stars, most of these stars just provide tactical fan service instead of tactics that benefit a team. Therefore, that one player’s dysfunctional play doesn’t really affect the team as a whole. A soccer team like that can be very frightening. Of course, that aside, in this highly anticipated final, anything can happen. Both teams may have mistakes, but who has fewer mistakes; who is the better one to catch the other’s mistakes; and who will win the game, these are all empirical. Therefore, I think the more comprehensive and experienced Zhongyuan High School will win the final victory. Although Shu Guang would not be able to accept this result, they are still too inexperienced.”

“Alright, thank you Mr. Zhou for your wonderful analysis. Let’s wait for the appearance of players from both sides.”

“I believe the coach of the Zhongyuan High School team must have been watching our recordings of the game, and it’s been the same for me. Everyone is familiar with each other and this match will be a comparison of their own strength.” Liang Ke faced the team as he said, “In contrast to last year, our opponents have a new face, No. 17, Lu Qing. He is a fast-paced midfielder and it’s a said that he was a winger in middle school. Their coach is ready to contain Yang Pan from the very beginning, so Yang Pan should pay more attention.”

Yang Pan nodded. “I won’t let them get comfortable.”

Liang Ke then turned to Zhang Jun. “Zhang Jun, everyone knows about your relationship with Li Yongle now, and the media also sees the confrontation between the both of you as the biggest focus of this game. But, do you think you’ll really be together in this game?”

Zhang Jun thought about it for a while, then shook his head. “Nope.”

Liang Ke nodded his head. “That’s correct. If I were the opponent’s coach, I would surely send Li Yongle to keep an eye on Kaka, because Kaka is the initiator of the offense. Watching him means cutting off the link between the midfielders at the front. So Kaka, you have a big fight ahead of you today.”

Kaka smiled and raised his thumb. “I have confidence in myself!”

“The opponent will likely use Luo Bin to defend against you. Luo Bin has four years of experience in matches and he has excellent physical fitness as well as explosiveness and speed. He is indeed the best person to defend against you, so be careful,” Liang Ke exhorted Zhang Jun.

“An Ke you’re in charge of commands for the back line defenders.”

“No problem! I won’t allow to be safe throughout the whole game, hehe!” No one knew if he meant it for his back defenders, or the opponent’s front offenders when he said “won’t allow to be safe”.

“Ren Yu De.”

After Ren Yu De heard his name, he looked up.

“Last year, you were pressured by him during the entire game and today, the opponent’s coach will certainly have him defend against you. It’s going to be a meeting of enemies! How about giving him a taste of your excellence?”

Ren Yu De knew what Liang Ke meant by “him”. Zhongyuan’s right back, No. 15, also known as the “one-on-one” expert that even Fan Cunjie of Dingding was jealous of for his three pointers. Last year’s competition was one of his few successful breakthroughs. He could not afford to repeat the same mistake this year. In honesty, he had no confidence, but he still nodded.

Liang Ke looked at his watch. “The time is here, everyone to the field! Remember, your goal is to get to the championship!”

“Oh”

“The finals for 15th National High School Soccer Championship Qualifiers in Luoyang are about to begin soon. Our audience of 23,000 spectators are waiting in excitement for the referee to blow the whistle for the kick-off.”

As though in response to the commentator’s words, deafening cries sounded from the stands.

“Ah Gui! Ah Gui!”

Wang Bo looked around to find the source of the voice.

“I’ve been calling you a couple of times already. Where were you looking at?” Su Li said.

“Dang it! You guys are seated there and dressed so inconspicuously, I couldn’t find you all in the vast sea of people!”

“No one knows that you have small eyes,” Zhang Rui quipped.

“How do you know? Your eyes are small too! And you’re a high school student, do you even know how Physics works?”

“I’m not an academic person, okay!” Zhang Rui said.

“Ha! That’s quite right! Li Xiaopeng, why didn’t you bring Wei Wei?”

Wang Bo squeezed into Li Xiaopeng’s side.

“Get out of here! You also address her by Wei Wei?” Li Xiaopeng laughed as he gave Wang Bo a punch.

“Hehe, Liu Hui, Liu Lei, Shang Jin, everyone’s here! Good, good!”

“The old captain just has to say the word and I’m here.” Shang Jin laughed.

“That’s right! Didn’t I rush here from Zhengzhou?” Wang Bo stretched.

…

Su Li watched the field.

They’ve really come this far. How could we not come to see? This is an appointment not to be missed.

Everyone kept quiet and watched the green soccer field silently. It seemed as though they were all reminiscing on their own soccer years.

“Do you regret it?” Wang Bo suddenly asked.

“Regret? Regret what?” Su Li did not quite understand.

“Regret not studying for another year. Perhaps, you would’ve been standing on the field today instead of sitting here as an audience.”

Su Li laughed. “What about you? Do you regret it?”

Wang Bo shook his head. “I don’t know. There are times when I regret it; like why was I a senior last year, not a freshman. But, there are times when I don’t regret it. We would have had to leave earlier anyway and they were the ones who brought the team to this day; what does it have to do with us? Why are my eyes red?”

Su Li leaned on to Wang Bo’s shoulder. “I feel the same as you!”

“They’re out!” The trumpets sounded excitedly.

Both teams set foot on the green field under the leadership of three referees, and the stands suddenly burst into great cheers.

After the national anthem was played, the captains of both teams took their sides and stood on the field according to their respective formation.

Everyone came; parents, friends, fans, reporters… It was the finals, the most anticipated finals, and everyone was there.

All of a sudden, the stands quieted down and the banner blowing in the wind was the only thing that could be heard. Everyone was waiting, waiting for the referee to sound the whistle for the opening.