262 The Lead of the Theatre of Dreams Part 1 (1/2)

Chapter 262: The Lead of the Theatre of Dreams Part 1

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

Ronaldo made a fake pass that he thought looked quite authentic. He gracefully got past his defender, George Wood, with a fake pass and a kick that switched his movement direction. With the camera tightly focused on Cristiano Ronaldo, the genius from Portugal, Wood rapidly disappeared from the screen. Any fan of Manchester United who watched the scene could not help but sigh. ”He got past another person beautifully!”

The commentator was already waving both hands, preparing to cheer for Ronaldo's breakthrough.

Right at that moment, another leg suddenly appeared on the screen followed by a person dashing in. Ronaldo had just lifted his foot when the football in front of him vanished.

”Ronaldo, Ronaldo! Rona… Wooow! What is this?! George Wood! Where did he come from?”

As Tang En watched from the sidelines, Wood flew back into the scene from outside and intercepted Ronaldo's ball. As if the team had scored a goal, Tang En pumped both his fists victoriously into the air.

”An incredible defense!” The commentator continued in surprise. He even used a famous line from the English former commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, ”When they think it's all over… George Wood comes back!”

When Wood cleared the ball Albertini, who had just returned, gave him a tight hug. ”Great job!” Without another word, he clearly expressed the feelings in his heart.

If not for Wood, who gave his all in chasing the ball back and not giving up even when he was thrown out of the end line, Forest could be behind three goals by now. They would have been smashed by the home team on the away field with 0:3. At that point, the match could practically be considered over.

But Wood had saved a glimmer of hope for Forest team. Perhaps it wasn't much. But the match was yet to end. Who knows? Perhaps his defense would become a turning point.

While Ruud van Nistelrooy was complaining about how Ronaldo had not passed the ball in time, the Portuguese man ignored him and stared at Wood's back in a daze. He still could not understand how Wood had managed to dash in from the outside. If it was because of his reaction speed, that would have been unbelievably fast.

It was not just beautiful goals that could raise morale; seemingly impossible defenses could too.

Wood was someone like that; rarely would he use words to encourage his teammates. He also did not know how to speak like Tony Twain to rouse the team's fighting spirit. In fact, he did not know what it was to ”boost morale.” He only knew that he had to complete the mission he was given. Regardless of how the mission may appear to be impossible to accomplish, he would still find a way to do it. Wood did not think about how he may influence his teammates because of this, but the truth was that his actions had shone a light of hope for the others.

The defense against Ronaldo's rapid entry this time was comparable to the goalie's defense against the penalty kick at score 0:2. Manchester United's probable goal was, to much astonishment, eliminated by George Wood. All of Manchester's people had already gotten ready to stand and cheer for such a stunning ball, but Wood shoved their cheers back down their throats.

”George Wood. It's hard to believe that he has only been playing for two years… Where did Tony Twain find such a genius? His shooting may be terrible enough to make someone vomit, he is a true genius in the realm of defense!”

Following the praise of the commentator, the camera pivoted and shot a close-up of Wood. His face was expressionless and as cold as an iceberg. Behind him was Cristiano Ronaldo, who looked somewhat lost. From the shot, it was obvious that Ronaldo was still staring at Wood as if he wanted to see right through him.

Tang En waved his fist wildly and turned to Kerslake, who was similarly happy. ”Look, David,” he said. ”When I first brought him to you, neither of us thought we would see this day.”

Kerslake nodded. ”That's right. We found someone amazing!”

※※※

Thanks to Wood's successful defense, the morale of Forest skyrocketed in an instant; they had all seen the hope of a graceful retreat from this match.

On the field, they also gradually became able to go toe-to-toe with Manchester United.

Piqué, in his new position as a defensive midfielder, performed commendably. Roy Keane's bids to assist during their offense were reducing, and Manchester United appeared to have the intention of shifting their focus to defense for the match.

Ronaldo received the pass again with George Wood still guarding him. Ronaldo had learned his lesson and did not wait for Wood to come forward and press on him. He surged ahead with the ball and tried a quick breakthrough via the sidelines without allowing Wood an opportunity to get close. Wood's defense was even simpler this time. He fiercely tackled Ronaldo, sending both Ronaldo and the ball out of the sidelines.

Amidst the loud jeers from the spectators' stands of Old Trafford, the referee's whistle sounded. Yellow card.

Wood did not care about the referee's warning with the yellow card. He also made no attempt to help up a grimacing Ronaldo. Wood simply got up and ran off after dusting himself down.

Since a long time ago, after Tang En told him that the players on the field were all his enemies, he had never shown any friendliness to his opponents. To be amiable to his enemy was to be cruel to himself. Wood had taken his words to heart.

Ronaldo lay on the ground and did not get up. Upon seeing this, the referee waved for Manchester United's team doctors to approach. It seemed like he needed some simple treatment…

By the time Ronaldo returned to the field again, he seemed a lot tamer.

When Ferguson saw this from the outside, he signaled from the sidelines for Ronaldo and Giggs to swap places on the wings. The lofty Portuguese man made no protest to the decision. His ribs were still throbbing from Wood's earlier clash with him. Somewhere in the depths of his heart, he felt that it was probably better for him to avoid that wild kid for now.

As Tang En watched Ronaldo and Giggs swap places—the Portuguese moved to the left and the Wales veteran shifted to the right—he knew that it was an adjustment made with Wood in mind. So he also waved his hands and moved Wood to Forest's right side. Leighton Baines moved back to the position of left back while Chimbonda retreated into the penalty area. This gave Wood the mission of defending against Ronaldo on the right; Tang En wanted the Portuguese guy to stay uncomfortable.

With a significant amount of pressure off the defense, Forest began to think about retaliating. The opportunities for Albertini to advance started increasing, and he patiently kept a look-out for chances to capitalize on loopholes at Manchester's end.