Chapter 18: This Is the Fruit of Training!
Today was endurance day for the first team. Vandergaag had arranged a training session consisting of ten 100-meter shuttle runs.
A total running distance of 2 kilometers—hardly a challenge for Eredivisie players.
However, Vandergaag demanded a certain speed from the players; if they ran too slowly, they had to add five more 100-meter shuttles.
“Keep running! Keep running!”
As Tang Ye passed by, Ten Hag shouted at him, startling Tang Ye into quickening his pace.
Glancing at his watch, Ten Hag remarked to Vandergaag standing nearby, “Actually, this guy’s stamina isn’t as poor as we thought. He just believes he can’t keep up.”
Ten Hag was right. Although Tang Ye liked to slack off, at just sixteen years old, he was naturally more capable of running than those players in their thirties.
“You’re paying more and more attention to him,” Vandergaag smiled.
To focus so much attention on a mere sixteen-year-old player—Ten Hag clearly intended to give Tang Ye a significant role.
“I think I can develop him into a decent midfielder, but not yet,” Ten Hag said seriously, watching Tang Ye run on the field. “Maybe in two years, or three.”
“By the way, Erik,” Vandergaag suddenly remembered something he wanted to tell Ten Hag. “The management admitted that not acquiring a controlling midfielder during the summer window was their mistake, so our goals for this season are a bit lower.”
“Last season we finished tenth; this season, staying within the top twelve is enough. They’ll find a way to get you the midfielder you want in the winter transfer window.”
Though the Utrecht management often failed to act decisively, they still showed some understanding of Ten Hag’s situation.
Judging by Utrecht’s performance in the first four league matches, even avoiding relegation would be a challenge this season.
The worst-case scenario would be the first team dropping to the second division, and the reserves forced down to the third.
“Top twelve...” Ten Hag muttered.
This was the Dutch top-flight league, and even securing a top-twelve finish was no easy feat.
...
September 13th, Eredivisie Round 5.
“Brothers and friends, welcome back! It’s been a while since Utrecht’s last match!”
Wang Chao had found the live feed. On screen, the starting lineups of both teams were still preparing in the tunnel.
Unsurprisingly, whenever Utrecht’s matches were broadcast, the viewership in Wang Chao’s streaming room at least doubled.
That’s the power of Mong Ge!
A conservative faction had emerged in the Happy Beans community—these conservatives were devoted followers of Mong Ge.
If the team’s overall performance would determine whether tonight’s ritual foot washing would happen, then how many extra rounds to add depended entirely on Mong Ge’s moves!
[Good news: Tang Ye is on the roster!]
[Half-time draw and second-half win, or half-time loss and second-half win—bet on these two outcomes. After placing your bets, just sit back and wait for Mong Ge to pull off the last-minute winner.]
...
[Question: Why does Tang Ye always perform so well in the second half? What about the first half?]
[Silly, he sits on the bench during the first half. How can a substitute score goals?]
The match began. Facing Vitesse, Ten Hag once again deployed his signature 5-3-2 formation.
“Brothers, I watched the pre-match interview. Utrecht’s coach said he’d give Tang Ye more opportunities.”
“We can boldly speculate that Tang Ye will see increased playing time in today’s match.”
As Wang Chao announced, Tang Ye began warming up at the 30th minute.
His substitute appearances in the previous two matches had earned Ten Hag’s trust.
Today, he would be given more chances!
The first half ended with Utrecht trailing 0-1 at home, making the crowd anxious.
At the 55th minute of the second half, Tang Ye and Amrabat stood by the sideline.
Chinese fans erupted with excitement, but the Dutch commentators were puzzled by Ten Hag’s substitution.
“Erik brings on a 16-year-old debutant while trailing—what’s the meaning of this?”
“Utrecht is underestimating their opponents!”
“They will pay the price for this!”
Clapping hands with his teammates, chewing gum, Tang Ye ran onto the pitch and, as instructed by Ten Hag, slipped a small white note into Ramselel’s hand.
The note contained the team’s tactics for the second half.
After Tang Ye and Amrabat came on, Utrecht pulled their attacking line back.
This was because Tang Ye lacked Janssen’s strength in front-line pressing, so Utrecht had to play more cautiously.
At the 61st minute, Olinic passed to Nathan!
Nathan, one-on-one with Tang Ye on the right flank!
Nathan feinted, body swaying!
A fake move!
Nathan completely outplayed Tang Ye!
“Damn!”
Ten Hag cursed, sensing Tang Ye hadn’t exerted himself much during the defense, almost as if he purposely let Nathan through.
Yet Tang Ye immediately turned back to chase.
He tugged on Nathan’s jersey, timed his move perfectly, and suddenly fell.
Snap!
Tang Ye executed a tackle while running!
This slide tackle was skillful—he didn’t clear the ball but controlled it close to himself.
Getting up, he dribbled forward!
Two of Vitesse’s attacking midfielders charged at him. Tang Ye felt a bit frightened but had already observed his teammates’ runs as he stood.
...
Under pressure, Tang Ye decisively kicked!
Snap!
The ball flew to the left wing. Alae ran forward, watching the ball’s trajectory.
Stopping the ball!
Crossing!
Barazite!
A near-post finish!
“GOAAALLLLL!!!!!!!”
“The ball’s in! Barazite scores, assisted by Alae, Utrecht equalizes!”
Barazite and Alae embraced, running together toward the corner flag.
Although it was an equalizing goal, Ten Hag’s expression remained serious.
He was thinking.
Because Nathan had gotten past Tang Ye, Vitesse’s defense pushed forward, allowing Alae to easily deliver the ball to Barazite.
Theoretically simple, but for a player to process all this in a high-intensity match was nearly impossible!
As Tang Ye ran to the corner flag to celebrate, Ten Hag called him over, feigning anger.
“Hey, why did number 13 get past you? Were you distracted?”
“I wasn’t distracted,” Tang Ye replied.
Startled by the scolding, the usually casual boy snapped to attention.
“No, number 13 was just too fast. I couldn’t stop him. I tried to let him pass so I could have a better chance to win the ball back.”
“And…”
“And what?”
“And if he got past me, the opposing defender would be drawn out, giving Alae a chance.”
“…”
Ten Hag said nothing, instead asking Tang Ye a question.
“Do you know why you’re able to think like that?”
“This is training. Remember, this is the result of training!”
Tang Ye nodded eagerly.
Ten Hag breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed the boy truly believed it.
That was good!