Chapter 18: This is the result of training!

Today was the first team’s endurance day, and Van der Gaag assigned the players ten 100-meter shuttles.

A total of 2 kilometers of running wasn’t much of a challenge for Eredivisie players.

But Van der Gaag had speed requirements—if they ran too slowly, they’d have to do five more 100-meter shuttles.

“Move! Move!”

When Tang Ye passed in front of him, Van Gaag shouted at him, making Tang Ye immediately sprint forward.

He glanced at his watch and said to Van der Gaag beside him: “Actually, this guy’s stamina isn’t as bad as we thought—he just thinks he can’t run.”

Van Gaag was right; although Tang Ye liked to slack off, he was only sixteen, so he could still run longer than those thirty-something players.

“You’re paying more attention to him now.”

Van der Gaag smiled.

Pouring so much focus on a sixteen-year-old player.

Van Gaag clearly intends to rely on Tang Ye!

“I feel I can develop him into a decent midfielder—but not now.”

Van Gaag watched Tang Ye running on the field and said seriously: “Maybe two years from now, or three.”

“By the way, Eric.”

Van der Gaag remembered he had a message for Van Gaag: “The management said failing to sign a possession-based midfielder in the summer was their mistake, so this season our target will be slightly lower.”

“Last season we finished tenth; this season we just need to stay in the top twelve. They’ll find a way to get you the midfielder you want in the winter window.”

Although Utrecht’s management did little real work, they still understood Van Gaag well.

They could see that based on Utrecht’s performance in the first four league matches, avoiding relegation this season would be difficult.

The worst-case scenario would be the first team dropping to the Eerste Divisie, forcing the reserve team down to the Tweede Divisie as well.

“Top twelve…”

Van Gaag muttered.

This was the Dutch top-flight league—finishing in the top twelve was no easy feat!

…

September 13, Eredivisie Matchday 5.

“Welcome back, everyone! It’s been a while since Utrecht’s match!”

Wang Chao found the live stream; on screen, both teams’ starting lineups were still preparing in the tunnel.

As expected, whenever Utrecht played, Wang Chao’s livestream audience was at least double what it had been before.

That’s the power of Meng Ge!

Now, in the Happy Bean circle, a conservative faction had emerged—all loyal followers of Meng Ge.

If whether you can wash your feet tonight depends on the team’s overall performance,

then whether you get extra minutes, and how many, depends entirely on my Meng Ge’s moves!

【BREAKING: Tang Ye is on the big list!】

【If it’s draw in the first half and win in the second, or lose in the first half and win in the second, bet on these two—then sit back and wait for my Meng Ge to deliver the winner!】

【I have a question: why does Tang Ye always perform so well in the second half? What about the first half?】

【Idiot, Tang Ye sits on the bench in the first half—how can you score from the bench?】

The match began, and against Vitesse, Van Gaag once again deployed his signature 5-3-2.

“Guys, I watched the pre-match interview—Utrecht’s head coach said he’d give Tang Ye more opportunities.”

“We can boldly guess that Tang Ye will get more chances today.”

As livestreamer Wang Chao said, Tang Ye began warming up in the 30th minute of this match.

His substitute performances in the previous two matches had earned Van Gaag’s trust.

Today, he’d get more opportunities!

At halftime, Utrecht trailed 0-1 at home; the fans in the stands grew anxious.

In the 55th minute of the second half, Tang Ye and Amrabat stood together on the sideline.

Chinese fans were already excited, but the Dutch official commentator was deeply confused by Van Gaag’s substitution.

“Eric brings on a sixteen-year-old youngster while trailing—what’s the meaning of this?”

“Utrecht is underestimating their opponent!”

“They’ll pay for it!”

Slap!

Tang Ye high-fived his teammate, chewed his gum, and ran onto the pitch, slipping a small white note into Ramselaar’s hand as Van Gaag had instructed.

The note contained the team’s second-half tactical plan!

After bringing on Tang Ye and Amrabat, Utrecht pulled their offensive line back.

Because Tang Ye lacked Jensen’s strong pressing ability, Utrecht had to play more conservatively.

In the 61st minute, Olynik passed to Nathan!

Nathan, one-on-one with Tang Ye on the right flank!

Nathan, body feint!

Fake move delivered!

Nathan completely outmaneuvered Tang Ye!

“Damn it!”

Van Gaag cursed—he felt Tang Ye hadn’t put any real effort into the defense, as if he’d deliberately let Nathan through.

But Tang Ye immediately chased back after being beaten.

He reached out and tugged Nathan’s jersey, then dropped to the ground at the perfect moment.

Slap!

Tang Ye intercepted Nathan mid-run!

The tackle was precise—he didn’t kick the ball away, but kept it close to himself.

He stood up and dribbled forward!

Two Vitesse attacking midfielders charged at him; Tang Ye felt nervous, but in the instant he rose, he’d already observed his teammates’ runs.

Facing pressure, Tang Ye made a decisive pass!

Slap!

The ball flew toward the left flank; Ale sprinted forward, watching its trajectory.

He controlled the ball!

Crossed it!

Balazs!

Shot low into the near corner!

“GOAAALLLLL！！！！！！”

“Goal! Balazs scores! Assist from Ale! Utrecht equalizes!”

Balazs and Ale embraced, sprinting together toward the corner flag.

It was an equalizing goal, but Van Gaag’s expression was grim.

He was thinking.

Because Nathan had beaten Tang Ye, Vitesse’s defense pushed up—that’s why Ale could easily pass to Balazs after controlling the ball.

Theoretically, it was simple—but for a player to process this entire sequence of thought during a high-intensity match?

It was nearly impossible!

As Tang Ye ran toward the corner flag to celebrate, Van Gaag called him over and feigned anger: “Hey, why did you get beaten by that number 13? Were you distracted?”

“I wasn’t distracted.”

Scolded by Van Gaag, Tang Ye grew nervous and snapped to attention on the spot.

“No, that number 13 ran too fast—I couldn’t stop him. Letting him through gave me a better chance to win the ball back.”

“And…”

“And what?”

“And if he beats me, the opposing defenders will be drawn out—that gives Ale the chance.”

“….”

Van Gaag said nothing, but asked Tang Ye: “Do you know why you thought of all this?”

“It’s training. Remember—this is the result of training!”

Tang Ye nodded vigorously.

Van Gaag exhaled in relief.

It looked like the guy actually believed it.

Good!

…

(End of chapter)