Chapter 37: Zwolle Manager: Underestimating Your Opponent Comes at a Price!

Twitter.

[A 16-year-old Asian? Is Ten Hag out of his mind?]

[You must not watch much football. Tang is actually quite something; he’s the best player I’ve ever seen at "bluffing" his way through.]

[I actually enjoy watching Tang play, but I think Utrecht should really keep a lower profile.]

[If an Asian starts, Utrecht’s winning streak is going to end!]

[Zwolle, go!]

The reactions on Twitter regarding Ten Hag’s decision were sharply divided.

Most fans felt that starting Tang Ye now was a bit too hasty, and this view held the majority.

There were some fans who supported Ten Hag, believing that Utrecht should give young players a chance. However, those who supported Tang Ye starting were ultimately in the minority.

No matter, the Chinese fans had already been brought to a climax by Ten Hag!

Erik ten Hag?

No!

Erik "Saint" ten Hag!

In the locker room, Tang Ye gripped the hem of his jersey, looking somewhat nervous.

He was about to purchase a bottle of "Vardy’s Red Bull" for 5 "Counter-Attack Points," which meant he had to secure at least one assist in today’s match. Otherwise, it would be a losing investment!

"You’re finally starting to look nervous. I thought you weren't going to be."

Seeing Tang Ye’s state, Ten Hag walked over with a smile. "If you can’t handle the pressure or if you run into any trouble, just give me a signal."

Tang Ye shook his head. "I’ll finish the game."

...

On the other side, PEC Zwolle manager Ron Jans walked into the press conference with a stern expression.

*Click! Click-click!*

"Jans, Utrecht is starting a youth academy player today. Do you know Tang? He’s only 16!"

The press conference was lively; everyone wanted to see what Jans thought of Ten Hag’s lineup.

"No explanation needed. This is an insult—an insult to us."

Jans’s face darkened. "I know they are ranked higher than us, but that is no reason for them to start a 16-year-old player, especially when that 16-year-old is a person of color!"

Jans glared angrily at the cameras. "They’ve looked down on us, and they will pay the price!"

The Zwolle manager’s point was clear. He admitted his team’s league points weren't on par with Utrecht’s, but he did not accept that Zwolle was inferior. Ten Hag suddenly bringing in a 16-year-old was clearly a sign that he had lost his mind amidst a winning streak.

Ten Hag wanted to humiliate Zwolle!

Jans had to strike back.

...

[You have purchased Vardy’s Red Bull.]

Account balance: 21.

"Okay, get in here, get in here! The live stream announcement went out half an hour ago, yet you all wait until now to show up."

Watching the viewer count in the live stream slowly climb, Wang Chao let out a long sigh of relief.

He had posted the announcement in the QQ group half an hour ago, but the stream had been quiet. Wang Chao had feared these guys had found a new favorite!

But it seemed these "Bean Soldiers" were just too busy and didn't bother joining until the match was about to start.

"I’ve already explained the two sides in the group, so I won’t go into too much detail. Utrecht... Utrecht is starting their attack!"

Ten Hag was a coach who liked to bully the weak. Since today's opponent wasn't strong, he opted for an attacking 4-3-12 formation, with Haller and Barazite up front and Tang Ye in the attacking midfield role.

Ten Hag pushed Tang Ye’s position further up, so if Tang Ye made a mistake, it wouldn't directly threaten his own goal!

The match reached the 12th minute. Zwolle gained possession, and midfielder Bram van Polen capitalized on a mistake by Ramselaar.

A through ball was sent forward to Marinus!

The Utrecht players sensed danger. Janssen and Strieder sprinted forward simultaneously.

Janssen charged at Marinus, while Strieder moved to block Becker, anticipating the most likely passing lane.

Because Strieder blocked the best route, Marinus had to stop and observe.

In a high-level league like the Eredivisie, stopping to think is fatal, and Marinus quickly paid the price.

Janssen and Ramselaar, who had tracked back, coordinated to successfully steal the ball.

"Awesome!"

Tang Ye clapped, looking for space to support Ramselaar.

Ramselaar didn't pass to Tang Ye, as Haller had already reached the offside line on the left. Utrecht’s top scorer had found space, and Ramselaar had to pass!

*Thwack!*

"Utrecht sends a long ball from the back! Haller! Haller traps the ball!"

"Oof, not the best touch, but the Zwolle defender is still at a distance. Haller is relatively safe in possession."

"After controlling it, he drives toward the center!"

Although the defense was a bit shaky, Utrecht’s counter-attack was quite fluid.

Haller cut inside!

Seeing this, Barazite drifted toward the center. Facing the two Zwolle center-backs, Barazite found a good pocket of space.

Haller tapped the ball to Barazite and then ran into the box.

Barazite spotted the opportunity and played a through ball into the area. Haller collected it again.

A textbook one-two!

That was the chemistry between Haller and Barazite!

"Haller, shoots!"

"Goal!"

"1-0!!!"

Wang Chao tapped his keyboard in celebration.

Everyone favored Utrecht, so naturally, people were happy about Haller’s goal.

But there was one question:

Where was my "King Tang"?

The producer, knowing where the heat was, cut to a shot of Tang Ye after the goal.

14 minutes, 6 touches, 4 seconds of possession, 0% offensive participation.

Perfect!

That’s a true "King of Football" for you!

[I think the producer deserves a scolding. How dare he shade my Brother Meng?]

[Brother Meng is a hardworking player; he doesn't rely on stats. Just wait and see his performance!]

[Exactly. Even if my Brother Meng lacks talent, his work rate is top-tier!]

[Just wait for the second half. Tang Ye is an endurance-type player. Just wait until the opponents are out of gas and then counter-attack.]

The score remained 0-1 into the second half, with Tang Ye having almost no screen time.

However, Ten Hag was actually relieved that Tang Ye had no screen time. If a 16-year-old player were outperforming everyone else on the team, the team would essentially be doomed.

Time hit the 55th minute, and Ayoub on the bench began to warm up.

*Damn it, don't do this!*

Tang Ye felt nervous.

He hadn't made his return on investment yet!

Just three minutes after Ten Hag had Ayoub start warming up, Zwolle launched a very effective flank penetration.

It was so fast that before Tang Ye could even track back, the opponent had already reached the goal line.

"The Zwolle center-forward is carrying the ball, passes to Marinus."

"It's a bit close to the goal, but no need to panic. Utrecht still has plenty of players in the defensive line."

"Van der Maarel steps up."

"Okay, Van der Maarel, as the main center-back for Utrecht, prepares to neutralize the crisis!"

"Tackle!"

"Van der Maarel is still in action!"

"Van der Maarel has been shown a red card!"