255 Going Head-On Part 2 (1/2)

Chapter 255: Going Head-On Part 2

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

All the players of Manchester United had their eye on the three Forest players within the penalty area. Even Albertini only had Roy Keane to guard him. Upon stopping the ball, there was no one within five or six meters of Wood; he could see no red jerseys from Manchester United.

No one had thought that Wood would appear at a spot so close to the penalty area – prior to this, he had almost never participated in the offense.

Even the commentator was taken by surprise and shouted, ”George Wood! When did he get here?!”

There was nobody to disrupt him where he stood, and he could take his time to adjust his distance to the ball satisfactorily before gracefully swinging his leg to powerfully volley the ball…

Unlike usual, Albertini did not yell from the side, ”Shoot!” Instead, he quietly fisted his hands as if trying to conserve some energy for Wood.

Wood looked down at ball beneath his foot. His mind swam with Albertini's words. ”If you don't try, how do you know you can't do it?”

Do I still remember my goal shooting training while I was on the Youth Team? What did the coach say? Straighten my arch?

He lifted his right foot with a flourish.

”George Woooooo- Wow…” The commentator had originally intended on dragging out his voice to cheer for Wood's goal, but the actual shot made it hard for him to get excited.

Wood kicked with all his power and the ball shot towards… the second level of the Northward spectators' stands.

Before Wood had taken his shot, Manchester's goalkeeper, the American Tim Howard, was rather nervous. In the end, he saw the ball flying out while he jumped for show. His hands were not even raised – the ball was ten meters away from the post!

”Defensive Midfielder Wood takes a powerful kick to eliminate the threat, kicking the ball towards the spectators' stands.” The commentator could only describe the attempted shot this way – in a way much closer to the situation in reality.

Wood was disappointed in his own performance and looked towards the stands behind Manchester's goal in a daze. Then, Albertini came to give him a pat on his shoulder. ”Not bad.”

Wood did not understand why the captain would say that and looked at him questioningly.

”It's a start. A good start,” the amicable Italian said with a grin.

※※※

Wood's terrible shot received thanks from Manchester United's fans by way of their loud jeers. They were truly disagreeable people.

Outside the field, Kerslake noticed Wood's decision not to pass the ball but instead take a rare shot at the goal. He turned towards Tang En. Tang En read the confusion and unspoken question in his eyes all at once, shrugging. ”It wasn't me.”

What a familiar scene… Tang En recalled. In the match with Arsenal, Albertini had also encouraged Wood to take the initiative to cut forward and take part in the offense.

Seeing Albertini hurriedly run up to Wood to comfort him after he missed the shot, Tang En broke into a wide smile. This old general was indeed the right choice!

Kerslake asked from his side, ”Should we remind him, Tony?”

Tang En shook his head. ”No, why should we? Don't you think this is good?”

”But we lost such a fantastic opportunity…”

”In exchange for growth, I'm absolutely willing to waste ten more chances. David, you also came from the Youth Training Camp. Do you still remember what the youth players needed most?”