Echoes of Greatness: The Rise of a Global Football Sensation

"Outstanding!" Dick Vanpoer's voice resounded from the sidelines.

Initially, he hadn't expected much from Yang Yang, viewing him as merely a tenacious player. However, since Yang Yang's entrance onto the field, Helen Parkhurst's right-back position had unexpectedly solidified, repeatedly thwarting the opponent's advances. Vanpoer could already envision the post-match praise for his substitution, regardless of the outcome.

However, he still harbored deep reservations about Yang Yang's abilities, particularly in attack, given his lackluster fundamental skills.

"Quick, pass to Henk Dimer!" Vanpoer bellowed.

But Yang Yang, engrossed in his own rhythm on the pitch, seemed oblivious to the call. With lightning speed, he propelled the ball forward, swiftly approaching the defensive territory of the Flevoland left-back.

"Pass it already!" Vanpoer exclaimed, urging Yang Yang to make a swift decision.

Despite Henk Dimer's numerous errors and lackluster performance in the game, he remained the team's midfield linchpin. In Vanpoer's eyes, and indeed in the eyes of everyone else, he was infinitely more dependable than Yang Yang, the rookie.

Driven by this ingrained bias, passing seemed the natural choice for Yang Yang.

Yet, on the pitch, Yang Yang continued his direct approach towards the defender.

In recent days, he had diligently focused on the most basic drills, honing his skills. Just yesterday evening, he had dedicated time to practicing the [Ronaldo step-over] in the Dream training system, mastering it with finesse in drills and even successfully executing it against a defender from the Dutch fourth division. His recent successes in defense had bolstered his confidence, fueling his eagerness to test his newfound skills against his opponent.

And if he failed? He was prepared to swiftly transition back to defensive duties.

As Yang Yang carried the ball past the halfway line, everyone saw that he wasn't looking to pass but to break through the defense.

Dick Vanpoer was surprised because he didn't think Yang Yang could pull off such a move. He'd never seen him try it in all their training sessions. Why was he attempting it now, in an official game?

Not just Vanpoer, but also Johnny Rep and the coach on the sidelines, along with many fans, were baffled. They couldn't figure out why he was taking such a risk. Maybe after successfully defending earlier, Yang Yang felt more confident and wanted to give it a shot.

...

...

The closer Yang Yang gets to the defender, the calmer he becomes, his pace slower but his eyes fixed on his opponent.

It was evident that even the Flevoland left-back anticipated Yang Yang to pass the ball, like everyone else. However, Yang Yang's decision to hold onto the ball caught him slightly off guard, causing his position to shift slightly inward.

He has a chance to catch the ball!

Yang Yang maintains a steady pace as he directs the ball towards the defender, silently measuring the distance in his mind.

Closer, closer and closer.

The left-back, seasoned and astute, refrained from rushing to intercept the ball. Instead, he opted to step back and patiently await his opportunity.

"As he retreated, the left-back observed Yang Yang's sudden glance towards the outer line. In an instant, Yang Yang's body language shifted - a forward lean, a subtle dip of his right shoulder, and a deceptive movement of his arm. It was unmistakably a signal of an imminent attempt to break through from the outer line."

Never let him through, even if it is a foul!

In the position itself, some defenders, leaning inwards, will rush forward to block without thinking.

As he charged forward, he anticipated Yang Yang to attempt a breakthrough from the outer line. However, to his surprise, Yang Yang's movement seemed to blur momentarily. Instead of veering outside as expected, Yang Yang executed a swift step-over before darting through from the inside.

The Flevoland left-back, caught off guard, stood bewildered on the pitch, while the spectators on the sidelines were equally stunned. In an instant, they witnessed Yang Yang deceive the opposing left-back, swiftly change direction, and surge forward, leaving the defender trailing in his wake.

In that moment, the stadium erupted with cheers and applause.

"A step-over?" murmured a middle-aged Dutchman.

Johnny Rep, seated in Helen Parkhurst's coach seat, rose from his chair to witness the unfolding scene on the pitch. Were it not for Yang Yang's continued forward momentum with the ball, he might have doubted if he were truly watching the game.

Once a renowned right winger in Europe, Johnny Rep's mind raced through the possibilities. Though he hadn't witnessed the actual breakthrough yet, his mental gears were already turning. The name that echoed in his mind matched that of the middle-aged Dutchman. Excellent!

"What?" Dick Vanpoer exclaimed, astonished.

Is this some sort of joke?

The step-over move was impressive, but for Yang Yang to execute it in a match was simply unbelievable.

"Is that really Yang Yang?" Vanpoer muttered incredulously.

Johnny Rep also smiled bitterly without saying a word.

Today, Yang Yang brought too many surprises for them to accept.

Despite the astonishment of everyone watching, Yang Yang continued his relentless pace on the field. He swiftly maneuvered the ball towards the right side of the opposition's penalty area. With the left defender outmaneuvered and the midfielder unable to track back in time, the left center-back found himself with no option but to step forward.

What should I do next?

Everyone stared at Yang Yang to see what he would do next.

The previous defence and the breakthrough are very nice, but if the next step is not handled well, it is also a foregone conclusion.

The Flevoland right-back retreated into the penalty area to support the center-back in defense. However, the space to the right of the penalty spot remained unoccupied, presenting an opportunity for Henk Dimer, who swiftly advanced from midfield, poised to infiltrate the area.

Did Yang Yang, who was on the ball, see the gap?

Just now, Henk Dimer and others did not want to pass to him, so is he ready to pass now?

In the midst of the action, Yang Yang darted towards the right side of the penalty area near the goal line. With the opposing central defender in sight, he played a feint pass, stopped abruptly and deftly flicked the ball with his right foot. The ball traced an inverted triangle and found its mark to the right of the penalty spot.

At that pivotal moment, Genk Dimer surged into position. With a deft touch from his left foot to stop the ball, he unleashed a precise low shot with his right, sending it curling into the far corner of the net.

He saw it!

It was utterly incredulous that he actually saw it!

Both Johnny Rep and Dick Vanpoer stood in shock, unable to believe their own eyes.

Even the middle-aged Dutchman on the sidelines was taken aback. He hadn't anticipated Yang Yang spotting the open space. Did he possess eyes in the back of his head?

That seemed utterly implausible.

The only rational explanation was that Yang Yang possessed exceptional observation skills and an astute understanding of the game.

Whistle!

As the referee's signal pierced the air, the stadium erupted in thunderous cheers and applause.

It was the most fervent display of support since the match began.

"Chinese lad, you're winning me over!"

"What a sublime assist! Keep it up!"

"I'm rooting for you, young man from China!"

Henk Dimer, the goal-scoring hero, stood motionless, momentarily forgetting to celebrate as the cheers washed over him. But they weren't directed at him; they were for him. The same player he had dismissed as insignificant during training.

In the past, he might have felt anger or resentment, but now he only felt a twinge of regret.

Because it was this player he had belittled who had just provided him with a remarkable assist, saving his performance in the game.

In a sense, it was Yang Yang who rescued him.

How could he harbor hatred now?

Instead of resentment, he felt a hint of shame for dismissing his teammate's abilities.

...

...

Yang Yang's approach isn't overly complex. Despite simply burying the ball, his [God Vision] grants him a comprehensive view of the pitch.

Observing the two strikers positioned unfavorably in the penalty area, with most passes cleared, Yang Yang recognizes a sizable gap to the right of the penalty area, with Henk Dimer poised for action. Without hesitation, he makes the pass.

While he acknowledges the friction with Henk Dimer as an internal team conflict, Yang Yang believes that with two goals down, resolving internal disputes must take a backseat to unified external effort aimed at winning the game.

Though he doesn't forget Henk Dimer's humiliation, he refrains from celebrating the goal like his teammates, walking away in silence instead.

Yang Yang's confidence grows after his successful breakthrough, particularly in his understanding and execution of the step-over.

Flevoland appears cognizant of Yang Yang's threat when he enters the game. Post-goal, they substitute their left winger for a defensively oriented player with similar energy consumption, aiming to mitigate Yang Yang's impact.

As Yang Yang shifts his focus to attack, his positioning catches the attention of Johnny Rep, Dick Vanpoer, and the middle-aged Dutchman on the sidelines.

Despite his stellar performance, Yang Yang finds himself in open space, yet his teammates fail to pass him the ball promptly.

Johnny Rep can't resist urging Vanpoer: "Encourage more passes to Yang Yang; an open right side will invigorate our midfield."

Vanpoer's eyes light up with realization. Why hadn't he thought of that earlier? Wasn't it Yang Yang's successful breakthrough on the right that left their midfield vulnerable, exploited by Genk Dimer?

While concerns linger about Yang Yang's foundational abilities, adherence to the coach's directives takes precedence.

Receiving a swift pass from the center-back, Yang Yang attempts another cut inside to the right, only to be intercepted by the freshly substituted left-back on the halfway line.

It's still a one-on-one situation.

Will he break through?

Yang Yang's confidence brims, and with the coach's encouragement, he sees no reason not to press forward.

"Over him... over him... quicker than him..."

"Beautiful! Another successful breakthrough!"

"Yet another step-over, so elegant."

"Unfortunately, Henk Dimer missed the opportunity after receiving the pass, failing to return it promptly, leaving the Chinese player sprinting in vain. Otherwise, it would have been a magnificent pass."

"I mentioned earlier, that Chinese player's speed is remarkable."

"Surprisingly, the most dynamic player in this game turned out to be the one on the bench."

There was much chatter among the fans on the sideline, but Yang Yang felt a twinge of frustration.

After executing a successful step-over, leaving their left-back in his wake, he had squared the ball to Henk Dimer. Yang Yang surged forward, only to find the captain failing to comprehend his intentions, opting instead to retain possession, resulting in a turnover and an opportunity for the opponents to counterattack.

Disheartened by the failed attack, Yang Yang had to sprint sixty meters back to his own penalty area.

Spotting Dick Vanpoer on the sideline, arms outstretched in frustration, berating Henk Dimer for not playing the ball to the right to find him, offered a small measure of solace to Yang Yang.

In that moment, it was clear to everyone that utilizing Yang Yang's speed advantage after breaking through the defense could offer more promising options, especially down the flanks.

Yet, Henk Dimer chose otherwise. Perhaps his mindset was clouded, seeking redemption for his poor performance in the game, or maybe he simply didn't want Yang Yang to steal the spotlight once more.

Regardless, the game pressed on.