Chapter 96 - We Are the Champions (2/2)
Zhang Jun rushed to the center circle and stopped. In fact, he was stopped by his overjoyed teammates. They surrounded him and the players at the periphery of the horde kept jumping onto the players inside. Although they blocked Zhang Jun off, they couldn’t obstruct his hand from pointing high up to the sky.
Liang Ke also led a group of substitutes onto the pitch. Their target was the arm pointing to the sky.
Even Ren Yu De and An Ke was supported by others to join the manic celebration. Although they had no energy to jump and scream, they could still muster a laugh.
They laughed to their hearts’ content for the hard won victory and championship.
Li Yongle watched on helplessly as Zhang Jun leapt up in front of him, turned, steadied his left leg on the ground as he landed then swung his right leg up mid-air. Zhang Lintao was helpless, and he too was helpless. His legs could no longer support him. It was a miracle that he could even stand.
I lost…
He looked up and squinted at the sky. He wondered if the color of the sky would return to normal now that the match has ended.
Suddenly, his knees buckled and he fell down to his left. However, he was immediately supported by Zhang Yang.
“I lost.”
“I know.” Zhang Yang put Li Yongle’s right hand over his neck and propped his partner up.
Zhao Defeng did not cry although his expression was grim. Luo Bin who was a senior also did not cry even though it was possible for him to have won his third national championship and fourth Luoyang championship. Deng Rui was silent and looked grim as well. Yang Pan’s kick had shown its might.
Only Lu Qing was sniveling and crying. He had failed during the first year of his participation. Liu Chao embraced his neck and said, “Don’t cry. You still have two more years!”
Standing by the touchline, Sun Laihong had a blank expression as he looked at the players under his leadership. He had not made any mistakes but he had still lost. The players had fought their hardest but they still lost.
Zhongyuan’s fifteen-year unbeaten record in the Henan district in official competitions was now history.
They must now face a new beginning.
The reporters intervened quickly and separated the Shu Guang players who were tangled in a bundle.
Zhang Jun received the most attention.
“Zhang Jun. How do you feel about winning?”
“Zhang Jun. Do all of you normally practise goals like that last one?”
“Zhang Jun. How long have you been practising the bicycle kick?”
“Zhang Jun…”
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Countless flashes, numerous microphones and camera lenses made Shu Guang’s players feel the atmosphere of what it meant to be champions.
The reporters manic behavior did not last long as the organizing committee began to clear the venue for the award ceremony.
A temporary podium was set up and a bright glittering trophy sat across from it: the champions’ trophy. In the past few years, this had been placed at the exhibition hall at Zhongyuan High School. Today, it would have a new owner.
The runner-up prize was like a cold appetizer before the main meal. Nobody applauded and nobody cared.
Zhongyuan’s players put on a forced smile and took their silver medals. In fact, the silver medals were still of great importance to them. It was their first silver medal from a regional competition.
The runners-up quickly went off it was time for the champions to be in the spotlight.
Shu Guang’s players squeezed onto the podium nervously. They were all drunk with excitement and glee.
The deputy mayor of Luoyang personally awarded the gold medals to the champions. Many of them took their gold medals and examined it. This was their first one!
After that, the exciting moment arrived. Yang Pan received the shining championship trophy from the deputy mayor. When he held the trophy high above his head with both hands, coupled with the commentator’s passionate shouts, the atmosphere of the entire venue peaked.
“Champions! Shu Guang High School!”
Zhang Jun was beside Yang Pan. His eyes did not linger on the big trophy like his teammates. Instead, it looked past the crowd towards Shu Guang’s bench.
Su Fei was still sitting there and she looked over too. Their eyes made contact.
Su Fei smiled at Zhang Jun but could not stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.
A year and a half of hard work had finally paid off.
The trophy was handed to Zhang Jun. In front of the audience and all the reporters, he held it high and then roared, “We are the champions!”
“Oh!”
When Zhang Jun finally escaped the pestering reporters, he saw Li Yongle being supported by Zhang Yang. They waited for him at the entrance to the tunnel.
Zhang Yang looked sombre. After losing the match, he did not respond to Zhang Jun.
Instead, it was Li Yongle who gave a smile, even though the smile was bitter.
“Er… You guys actually played well…” The winner, Zhang Jun, did not know what to say.
“You do not need to be polite. A winner’s line is always the same. A win is a win. A loss is a loss.” Li Yongle replied. “I lost.”
“That’s because you were injured…”
“No! The moment you got that ball and broke away from me, I already lost. I wouldn’t have been able to stop you even if I was in good condition. You do not need to find an excuse to comfort me. I am not the kind of person to be so easily frustrated. We still have one year left.”
“Yes. One more year! Your knee…” Zhang Jun looked at the thick gauze on Li Yongle’s left knee.
“I will have it examined. Do not worry. I will not hang up my boots until I defeat you.” Li Yongle laughed. “You are my eternal adversary.”
Zhang Jun laughed too. “You are also my eternal friend.”
Two hands were tightly clasped together.
Author’s note:
The author has mentioned that there will be a sequel to this story, which he will write after he has rested. The sequel will be about Zhang Jun and his team in the Euro Cup and World Cup. The author also thanks the readers once again for their support.