Echoes of Greatness: The Rise of a Global Football Sensation

The event is being held at the club's home ground to underscore Almere's commitment to this semester's evaluation.

The municipal stadium is owned by the municipality of Almere but has been leased by the club for an extended period. It is adjacent to the club's training ground, with a football pitch on the east side and a tennis and baseball pitch on the south side.

The first team's home pitch is relatively modest, surrounded by low, single-story stands.

When Yang Yang and his teammates emerged from the dressing room and entered the arranged venue, aside from the central main stand, a large number of fans were already seated in the stands. Many of the players' parents and friends were waving encouraging banners.

Yang Yang also spotted his uncle's family in the east stand. Even the staff from the local Chinese restaurant had come to cheer him on. During warm-ups, instead of just passing by, he waved and exchanged greetings.

As Yang Yang warmed up on the field, a noise erupted from the stands.

He noticed the club's chairman, René Tallberg, accompanied by several VIPs. Despite the absence of a formal welcome ceremony, many people recognized him. The guests included the mayor and government officials of Almere, with many later identified as local celebrities.

Yang Yang had just arrived, and these people were all unfamiliar to him. However, he remained focused on his warm-up routine. In contrast, Henk Dimer and the others were visibly excited about the mayor's presence.

"It seems the rumors about strong city council support for Almere's impact in the Dutch League are true," Henk remarked.

"With the city government backing us and the club officially becoming an Ajax satellite, I believe Almere will excel in the coming years. Sooner or later, we'll make it to the Eredivisie," another added optimistically.

"Yeah, if not this year, then definitely next year," chimed in someone else.

Yang Yang listened quietly. The only person he recognized was Chairman René Tallberg, reputedly wealthy in Almere despite residing in Blaricum, not far from the city to the south-east of Amsterdam.

Laren and Blaricum, situated in the affluent south-eastern suburbs of Amsterdam, were popular residential areas for the wealthy and corporate executives. Blaricum, though closer to Almere, was situated just south of Lake Hoy in the southwest.

What impressed Yang Yang most was Tallberg's vision and determination. In less than seven years since founding Almere, Tallberg had elevated the team to its current stature. His close relationship with Johnny Rep had granted him almost complete control over the club, not just financially.

In contrast to the atmosphere surrounding Chinese football, where discussions often revolve around other topics, in the Netherlands, football is a favored subject among political and business elites. This was evident as Tallberg conversed with the mayor and other government officials in the main stand.

Apart from a standard stadium with stands and two training buildings, the facilities leased by Almere include six regulation-sized football training pitches and three smaller pitches. Almere boasts at least three or four training facilities of this scale.

While Yang Yang marveled at the Dutch government's commitment to football, there was suddenly a stir in the stands.

Looking up, he spotted Johnny Rep, the first team coach, courteously escorting two VIPs. Tallberg and the others who had been seated at the top of the stand now stood together.

"Who's that?"

"Who are the man and woman?"

"Oh my God, it's... it's..."

"Van Gaal!"

"Who?"

"Van Gaal! Louis van Gaal!"

"Is it really him?"

"Yes, it's Louis Van Gaal."

"Why is he here?"

The excitement spread not only among the players on the pitch but also among the parents and fans in the surrounding stands.

Louis van Gaal, a legendary figure in Dutch football known for his tenure at Ajax, where he developed numerous stars and led the club to Champions League glory in the 1990s, was often referred to as Ajax's last godfather after Michael Reiziger and Cruyff.

It was also under van Gaal's guidance that current Ajax head coach Ronald Koeman emerged as a player.

Everyone, including Yang Yang, was captivated by van Gaal's presence and reputation.

He saw him walking behind head coach Johnny Rep. Isn't that the middle-aged Dutchman who often comes to watch my training sessions? And isn't the middle-aged lady his wife, Truus Opmeer? So, it turns out he is Louis Van Gaal! Yang was surprised; he could hardly believe it.

Although he's familiar with football news in the country and, of course, knows the name Louis Van Gaal, living in a county-level city in Quanzhou means newspapers and information are limited, and live TV broadcasts are rare.

Van Gaal came to the Netherlands this time from La Liga in Spain, where he spends his time playing golf and occasionally attending my training sessions. Each time, Van Gaal wore a golf cap that covered most of his face, making him unrecognizable. Wasn't Van Gaal supposed to be the manager of Barcelona? Oh yes, there was news in January that he had been sacked prematurely.

Despite coaching Barcelona twice and the Dutch national team, with his second stint at Barcelona and the Dutch national team being unsuccessful, Van Gaal still holds a prestigious status in Dutch football. Everyone respects him, and for Almere to invite him is an honor, awaiting the arrival of one of the world's top coaches.

Yang Yang looked at Van Gaal in the stadium. The Dutch coach also noticed him in the stands, raised his right hand with a smile, and greeted Yang Yang. This gesture immediately caught Johnny Rep's attention beside him.

"Louis, do you know Yang Yang?" Johnny Rep asked, surprised.

Van Gaal's smile narrowed slightly as he nodded. "Yes, a little."

He didn't seem inclined to discuss personal matters in front of others.

"Besides, he secretly observed for more than a month, but the outcome remains to be seen," Truus joked with a smile.

Johnny Rep was bewildered. "What's going on?"

Truus glanced at Van Gaal and sensed his reluctance to elaborate further. She could only hint that Van Gaal had observed Yang Yang's basic training for quite some time, and the results were unexpectedly intriguing.

She spoke in veiled terms, but Johnny Rep was stunned.

As the team's head coach, he held a markedly different opinion of Yang Yang and was quite optimistic about his potential. According to Truus, even Van Gaal favored Yang Yang after observing him for over a month. What did that signify?

In the Netherlands, everyone knows Van Gaal's notorious temperament and his sharp eye for talent. If he pays attention to someone like Yang Yang for a month, it speaks volumes about his potential.

Moreover, Johnny Rep had received word that Van Gaal's next destination is...

Thoughts raced through his mind, and the Almere coach was taken aback.

...

...

After the players finished their warm-up, club chairman René Tallberg commenced his pre-match speech and made a significant announcement for the club: the official sponsorship of the Almere stadium by Yanmar Agricultural Machinery from Japan.

In essence, the stadium will now be known as Yanmar Stadium. This sponsorship from Japan will greatly alleviate financial pressures on Almere and provide a substantial boost to the club. Regardless of this season's outcome, the club's business prospects are certainly thriving.

Following Chairman René Tallberg, head coach Johnny Rep solemnly introduced the purpose of the mid-season assessment and announced that he had invited renowned coach Van Gaal to serve as technical advisor for this assessment, a decision met with enthusiastic applause.

The assessment mirrored typical training sessions, featuring familiar drills such as 10-meter and 30-meter sprints, the rondo, and six small-field offensive and defensive exercises. The only deviation was a 30-minute full-field scrimmage scheduled at the session's conclusion.

With the training agenda already set, no one was caught off guard, and soon the final evaluation, organized by Dick Vanpoer, commenced.

Even though this was part of their daily training regimen throughout the week, everyone sensed the heightened stakes. More coaches stood along the sidelines with notepads, meticulously jotting down observations during the game. This added pressure made even the typically consistent players nervous, leading to occasional errors on the field.

Coaches showed no sympathy during this psychological evaluation, a crucial aspect of player development. They understood that psychological resilience was as vital as physical prowess; opponents in real matches wouldn't show mercy to weaknesses.

For instance, in the match against Flevoland, the substitute right-back who replaced Nick performed poorly. As a result, Dick Vanpoer relegated him to the bench indefinitely, demonstrating that coaching entailed a thorough assessment of every aspect of a player's performance.

Passing accuracy was scrutinized in detail: the speed and trajectory of the pass, its placement relative to the receiver's preferred foot, and its ease of control. Simultaneously, the passer's movement off the ball and their first touch were evaluated.

Yang Yang recognized passing and first touch as his weaknesses. Despite visible progress after a month of intensive training, he acknowledged room for improvement compared to his peers. However, his off-the-ball runs and his ability to find passing lanes continued to impress.

In speed tests, whether sprinting 10 meters or 30 meters, he consistently ranked as the team's fastest.

Throughout the past month, alongside fundamental training, Yang Yang preserved his greatest asset: speed. Under Zax's expert guidance, his speed and explosiveness had notably improved compared to previous benchmarks.

In the Rondo and subsequent group confrontations, Yang Yang demonstrated noticeable progress.

During the final full-field match, head coach Johnny Rep and technical advisor Van Gaal descended from the stands to the touchline, personally overseeing the game and evaluating the players.

Over the past month, Yang Yang felt his greatest improvement had been in his mentality.

Since arriving in the Netherlands a year ago, he had struggled with frustration and severe lack of confidence. Joining the Almere youth team had been particularly challenging, with moments where he considered giving up on himself.

However, since adopting the Dream training system, Yang Yang began to see glimmers of hope. Despite the grueling and monotonous nature of the training sessions, he sensed tangible improvement. The desire to succeed and progress became the driving force behind his perseverance.

Gradually, Yang Yang adapted to the repetitive basic drills. After each session, he felt a slight but significant sense of achievement. Participating in competitions further fueled his excitement about his progress, reinforcing his determination to continue training.

Physical strength gains from training and increasingly impressive performances in both practice and matches bolstered Yang Yang's confidence. His unwavering ambition sharpened his resolve to face any opponent or challenge head-on. Even setbacks only fueled his determination to bounce back stronger.

Yang Yang's ambition shone through during the semester exams, especially in the final thirty minutes of attacking and defending. Playing alongside Henk Dimer as the team's main right winger, he quickly transitioned into a primary attacking role.

Empowered by [God's Vision], Yang Yang's every move and touch posed significant challenges for defenders. Given even a modicum of space and a pass from teammates, he swiftly advanced the ball and created scoring opportunities.

Facing off against the Yang Yang Group, the opposing team's left-back struggled to contain him. Despite his best efforts, Yang Yang consistently broke through the defense. Within ten minutes, the left-back's defensive success rate plummeted to zero—a frustrating realization of Yang Yang's dominance.

Utilizing his signature step-over technique, Yang Yang executed it with such proficiency that defenders were powerless to halt his progress. His prowess extended beyond the Almere youth team, proving insurmountable even in inter-school competitions.

If only Yang Yang's foundational skills were stronger and he made fewer errors, his performance could have been even more impressive.

Fortunately, after fifteen minutes of play, Johnny Rep and Van Gaal swiftly agreed to have Dick Van Poer substitute other players for Yang Yang and Henk Dimer.

Clearly, Yang Yang's strengths and weaknesses are apparent to everyone involved.

"This boy is peculiar and elusive," sighed Johnny Rep.

In just over a month, Yang Yang felt like he had undergone a transformation, yet he remained completely inscrutable.

"He persisted in basic training for over a month—you know how monotonous it can be, not something most people can endure, but he did. He trains almost every waking hour, except for eating, sleeping, and going to school. It's unbelievable how dedicated he is."

Van Gaal had observed Yang Yang's training firsthand and admired his diligence.

"To possess such ambition and self-discipline at sixteen is remarkable. I admire him greatly and am quite curious to see how far he can go. Is there a chance he could play professionally?"

Little did they know, Yang Yang even trained in his sleep—an astounding dedication.

"What do you make of him?" Johnny Rep asked, sounding concerned.

Van Gaal shook his head. "I don't fully comprehend him, but I'm eager to witness his potential."

This sentiment resonated with Johnny Rep.

"At his age, his tenacity is exceptional—unique among those I've encountered in my career," Van Gaal remarked, leaving Johnny Rep deep in thought.

The two had been teammates in Ajax's youth team. While Johnny Rep had ascended to the first team, Van Gaal had faced rejection and moved on to other clubs. Despite a less illustrious playing career, Van Gaal found his calling after retiring as a sports teacher, overseeing youth development at Ajax. Under his tutelage, talents like Kluivert, Seedorf, Davids, and Reiziger flourished, elevating Ajax's stature in European football. By 1992, he succeeded Leo Beenhakker as Ajax's manager.

Van Gaal's tenure saw Ajax's youth program thrive, culminating in reaching the Champions League final in the 1994-1995 season, where they defeated AC Milan 1-0, and a close 1-1 draw with Juventus in Rome in 1996, ultimately losing on penalties. These achievements solidified Van Gaal's legacy in Dutch and European football, despite later setbacks in managing Barcelona and the Dutch national team.

Johnny Rep held great admiration for his former teammate, knowing Van Gaal's philosophy that hard work trumped talent alone. Van Gaal emphasized tactical discipline and execution, qualities that Yang Yang embodied—a player of immense potential in Van Gaal's eyes.

...

...

After Yang Yang left the pitch, the unfortunate left-back showcased his abilities fully, while the substitute right winger endured a torrid time, highlighting Yang Yang's strength and laying bare the facts. It wasn't that his defense was lacking, but Yang Yang's one-on-one breakthroughs were simply overpowering.

Everyone wondered how he could be so unstoppable with just a step-over move. Yang Yang gave the impression that each time he executed it, it varied unpredictably, adapting to his opponent in ways that made defending against him a daunting task.

As the thirty-minute attacking and defending session concluded, Yang Yang smiled and apologized to his teammates amidst their complaints. He never intended to embarrass them, but on the field, his singular focus was on pushing for the top three positions.

Henk Dimer and Nick clearly led the team in strength, positioning themselves to secure top spots, while Yang Yang acknowledged he still lagged behind in fundamental skills.

Thus, Yang Yang focused on maximizing his strengths and learning from his teammates' abilities. Surveying the field, he saw teammates near the elimination line anxiously worried about their performance and potential dismissal by the coaching staff.

This sight stirred deep emotions in Yang Yang.

More than a month ago, he too fretted about his uncertain future like everyone else. Now, he realized he no longer feared elimination but instead strove relentlessly for a top spot—all thanks to the Dream training system and his unwavering personal dedication.

Yang Yang observed the expressions on his teammates' faces and silently made a commitment to continue training diligently and strive for improvement.

"Don't worry, with your performance today, you should have no problem advancing," reassured Henk Dimer, assuming Yang Yang was concerned about the evaluation.

Yang Yang smiled but didn't elaborate. He had once declared his ambition to compete for a top three spot, but now it seemed like a jest to everyone else. Few believed he could achieve it, primarily due to his lack of basic skills.

"Have you thought about what I mentioned the other day?" asked Henk Dimer.

Yang Yang nodded firmly. "Yes, and I've decided to join you."

After accepting Henk Dimer's invitation, Yang Yang first discussed it with his uncle and then called his parents. Despite not yet knowing the results of the evaluation, he confidently expressed his intention to remain with the team.

Living far from home in the Netherlands, Yang Yang maintained excellent academic grades and had garnered attention from a professional team on the verge of entering the Dutch second division. His parents saw no reason to pull him back to China to focus solely on studies; instead, they promised to support his stay in the Netherlands.

However, his parents insisted that regardless of his football prospects, Yang Yang must maintain good academic performance. This way, even if football didn't work out in the future, he could still pursue higher education in the Netherlands before returning to China.

Yang Yang agreed, of course.

This was not due to overconfidence, but since starting the Dream training system, Yang Yang had been energetic every day and noticed a significant improvement in his memory. He found himself recalling what teachers taught in class effortlessly, often grasping concepts on the first try and using analogies effectively during exams.

Surprisingly, after more than a month of dedicating all his extracurricular time to training, Yang Yang's school grades not only remained unaffected but actually improved.

Yang Yang couldn't quite pinpoint why this was happening, and Zax didn't have a clear explanation either. It seemed to be an unexpected benefit of the Dream training system.

Following the morning semester evaluation, the coaches had to sort through the results, combining them with the players' usual training performances, match records, and their grades in school. These factors would all contribute to their overall score.

After Johnny Rep announced the end of the day's evaluations, everyone headed back to the locker room to shower and take a break. Yang Yang, however, didn't join them. Instead, he flipped the ball up onto his head and headed straight back to the skate park to continue his basic training, showing his relentless dedication.

In the Almere coach's office, there was palpable tension over the results of the semester evaluation. While the overall scores wouldn't be announced until the afternoon, many teammates had already begun congratulating Henk and Nick in advance, assuming they were shoo-ins for the top three spots. There was no doubt or suspense in their minds. Some even speculated that Henk and Nick would likely be selected for the Talent Day, eagerly planning to ask them for autographs from Ajax star players.

Henk Dimer confidently accepted his teammates' congratulatory gestures, fully believing in his performance. However, amidst the camaraderie and celebrations for Henk and Nick, Yang Yang's earlier aspiration to compete for a top three spot was conspicuously absent from discussions. Despite his marked improvement, there was an unspoken skepticism among the team that Yang Yang could achieve his ambitious goal.

The coaches, meanwhile, were locked in discussion in their office, debating the evaluation results. They were likely analyzing each player's semester-long performance, training progression, match performances, and academic standings to determine the final scores. These scores would play a crucial role in shaping the team's future decisions and plans.