Chapter 405: Senegal

Hot Topic No. 1: China 0:2 trailing Senegal. (Heat value: 42.92 million)

No. 2: Tang Ye suspected of injury. (Heat value: 25.12 million)

……

No. 7: Fan Zhiyi said Li Pi needs to devise a tactical plan to protect Tang Ye. (Heat value: 7.12 million)

"Come"

The team doctor removed Tang Ye's sock and wrapped his ankle with athletic tape.

Tang Ye's ankle was not injured, but the situation in the first half forced the Chinese team to take this matter seriously.

The tape would reduce pressure on his ankle during tackles.

"Oh, thank you."

Tang Ye leaned against the cabinet behind him.

"Haha, no need, no need, you're too polite."

The team doctor laughed: "After treating you during last year's Asian qualifiers, I kept bragging to my relatives over the New Year—none of them could top me."

"……"

"Haha!"

Tang Ye and the team doctor bumped fists.

In the remaining minutes, the players warmed up; Tang Ye, with the doctor's help, used resistance bands to re-activate his thigh muscles.

Maldini checked his watch.

"Come on, come on! Get ready!"

The players gathered together; many glanced at Tang Ye as he approached: "You okay?"

"No problem."

Tang Ye gave a thumbs-up, placing his hand high: "Just had a massage—I feel stronger now."

"Okok, that's the feeling!"

"3, 2, 1!"

"China will win!"

……

"Oh, Invincible, Invincible, wild—Ace is about to unleash!"

"Battle is our stubborn starting point~"

"I'll control my power, amplify my presence!"

"Watch this dragon battle on the wild field~~~~"

The Rostov Arena echoed with today's third Chinese song.

These songs were voted on by fans; compared to "Little Hero Big Belly" and "Guangdong Love Story," this one was the most normal.

Not just Tang Ye—the fans were cheering for every Chinese player!

"Wow!!!"

Both teams emerged from the tunnel together; the song in the speakers hadn't finished.

Though he'd never played Invincible much, Tang Ye had heard "Invincible" many times.

It was fired up!

"China made a substitution at the start of the second half…"

"Hao Junmin replaced Zhang Yuning; Wei Shihao is already ready on the sideline."

"Yes, down two goals, China must now launch their counterattack."

"If they're going to counterattack, as we said in the first half, China now needs to get Tang Ye involved more."

Getting Tang Ye more involved is the core element for China to win.

Li Pi grasped this key point tightly, which is why he brought on Hao Junmin as a supporting attacking midfielder.

At the start of the second half, Senegal immediately switched to defense.

Coach Cisse didn't yet understand Li Pi's substitution, so his players needed to play cautiously.

After all, a player like Tang Ye is hard to predict—he could do anything next on the pitch.

Yu Hanchao takes the ball and cuts inside!

Tang Ye immediately follows!

As in the first half, Senegal still sent two players to stick to Tang Ye.

But unlike the first half, China now had an additional supporting attacking midfielder.

Yu Hanchao first passed to Hao Junmin, who then delivered the ball to Tang Ye!

"Beautiful!"

"Let's take a look."

Pressed by Senegal, Tang Ye received the ball and immediately played a direct pass to the right flank.

"Wow!!!"

The pass was precise—it found Wu Lei, who had just made a forward run!

Wu Lei stretched his foot to control the ball, then kept it close.

Sall came over for one-on-one marking.

Watch Wu Lei…

Wu Lei dribbled with his outside foot, slowly compressing Senegal's defense; then, at the perfect moment, he suddenly passed back.

Zheng Zhi!

45-degree cross!

With no striker, Tang Ye had drifted near the penalty area.

A defender was nearby, but no matter—he controlled the ball effortlessly with his chest.

He spun quickly; the ball sat just in front of his left foot.

"Go!"

Right hand pointed to the right side of the box, left hand behind his back, finger pointing to the left side.

Different teammates received different signals: Wu Lei cut in from the right, Yu Hanchao sprinted decisively into the box.

The defender charged in; Tang Ye lifted his left foot, feinting a through ball to Wu Lei, then executed a scissors kick, sending the ball leftward from the right.

"!"

In the box, Sane was fooled—he twisted his body and lost balance, falling to the ground.

Possession went to Yu Hanchao.

"Take it easy, take it easy!"

Tang Ye warned.

Now it's Yu Hanchao's turn!

First, control the ball!

Then, push it!

The move was slow, but perfectly steady.

This ball…

"Goal!"

"Goal!"

"Yu Hanchao!"

"Tang Ye's scissors kick provided the assist for Yu Hanchao!"

"1:2! China has pulled one back!"

"YuHanchaoooo!!!!!"

The English commentator shouted the words printed on Yu Hanchao's jersey back; Chinese players surged to the left corner flag to celebrate.

"Awesome!"

"Super Brother!"

"Tang Ye!"

Just in front of the stands, Chinese players piled on top of each other, pinning Tang Ye and Yu Hanchao firmly beneath them.

Maldini raised his arms in triumph; Li Pi clapped quickly.

In the 52nd minute of the second half, China pulled one back while trailing by two goals.

Their tactic had succeeded!

【You gained 30 Comeback Points】

【First World Cup assist—bonus 30 Comeback Points】

Small profit!

Slap!

High-fiving teammates, Tang Ye began walking slowly back.

Senegal's forward sprints had put immense pressure on China.

But through tactical adjustments, China had successfully broken through their opponent's defense.

"China!"

Thud! Thud!

"China!"

Thud! Thud!

Fans shouted loudly; Tang Ye and several teammates clapped: "Come on! Come on!"

The score changed from 0:2 to 1:2, but Li Pi did not smile.

The tactic had succeeded, but the problem was...

Senegal was not stupid; they would make corresponding tactical adjustments.

Could a tactic that had succeeded once succeed again?

Beep!

The next kickoff: Chinese players, riding the momentum of the goal, launched a fierce attack on Senegal.

Continuous passes from the back!

Tang Ye moved actively toward the flank!

Zhang Linpeng passed to him; Tang Ye turned and swung his right foot, sending the ball straight to Hao Junmin in the center.

A penetrating pass.

China's attack was back on!

"Hurry! Hurry!"

"Go! Go now!"

"Don't hesitate, damn it!"

Fans were urging; Hao Junmin controlled the ball in the center.

Tang Ye sprinted up from behind.

Passing forward carried too much risk, so Hao Junmin wanted to pass to Tang Ye.

Because only when Tang Ye had the ball did other players feel secure.

But apparently, because of the previous attack, Senegalese players had become smarter.

Initially, two defenders marked Tang Ye; now three defenders marked both Tang Ye and Hao Junmin.

The link between China's two attacking midfielders was cut!

Damn!

Sensing trouble, Tang Ye signaled Wu Lei to come help.

Hao Junmin passed to Wu Lei.

"Hey!"

Shouting, Tang Ye sprinted past Wu Lei and reached the right baseline.

There was an opportunity!

The fullback advanced; Tang Ye feinted a cross, then quickly cut the ball with his right foot to his left.

Thud!

A low cross!

Target: Zhang Xizhe charging into the center!

"Shoot!"

Thud!

Zhang Xizhe fired a long-range shot, but goalkeeper Ndiaye easily punched it away.

"Still a chance!"

The rebound landed exactly where Yu Hanchao stood.

Control the ball!

Yu Hanchao stood his ground and pushed the ball to Tang Ye, who ran in from the flank.

A slight pause in rhythm; Tang Ye moved straight into the penalty area.

Good idea, but Tang Ye's run was again shut down by Senegal; his final pass was cleared by Wagu.

"Huh!"

Two Senegalese defenders chest-to-chest slammed into each other, celebrating their defensive victory over Tang Ye.

Dongqiu Di real-time report: Tang Ye sent a long through ball from the center; Wu Lei's one-on-one was saved.

【The pressure is crushing, guys】

【King Wu! What's going on, King Wu!】

【Senegal found the secret to winning: just mark Tang Ye and Wu Lei; no one else can create chances】

The clock read 65 minutes; the score remained 1:2.

Tang Ye raised his hand to comfort Wu Lei.

Senegal had specific plans for both Tang Ye and Wu Lei; Tang Ye could truly feel Wu Lei's dire situation.

"Yes, Senegal keeps trying to cut off the link between Tang Ye and Hao Junmin — something China does not want."

"Because if they do this, Li Pi's tactical adjustment loses its meaning..."

"China makes a substitution!"

"Off comes left winger Yu Hanchao; on comes Wei Shihao!"

Immediately after entering, Wei Shihao ran to Tang Ye's position and handed him a note: "Tang Ye!"

He opened it.

The handwriting was unfamiliar; the note instructed Tang Ye to advance his position again, acting as a pseudo-striker.

He tore the note into pieces and tossed it away, then glanced at Li Pi on the sideline, who gave him a thumbs-up.

Before the formation could adjust, Senegal launched their attack.

Mane sprinted down the flank.

The speed of this player was devastating against China's defense.

He shook off Wu Lei and reached the baseline, then cut inside.

"Here we go!"

Tang Ye shouted; goalkeeper Ceng Cheng moved.

Plop!

Mane curled a shot into the far corner!

Ceng Cheng punched it away!

"Beautiful!"

The commentator had barely finished, but China's crisis was not over.

Mei Fang got the rebound, but before he could clear it, Nian stole the ball.

Thud!

A gentle push.

Goal!

"..."

Tang Ye stood frozen; Ceng Cheng knelt on one knee.

"Second goal!"

"Nian has opened China's goal again!"

"My god, Senegal's attacks are simple and direct — yet they keep breaking through China's defense with exactly this!"

Beep! Beep! Beep!!!

The clock read 71 minutes; Senegal now led by two goals.

Tang Ye crouched on the ground.

His breathing was rapid; he could clearly feel his heartbeat.

To coordinate with Hao Junmin and Wu Lei, Tang Ye had made many short sprints in the second half, rapidly draining his stamina.

"Head up! Lift your head!"

Madaloni shouted in English to the Chinese players; the coaching staff rushed over to pull him back, fearing he'd do something reckless.

Dongqiu Di real-time report: At 73 minutes, Tang Ye received the ball on the right baseline but was surrounded by three defenders; the ball was eventually cleared out of bounds.

Since playing as a forward, Tang Ye's camera time had increased — but every shot was cut short.

The reason was simple: several Senegalese defenders kept their eyes locked on Tang Ye.

"Hmm... Tang Ye isn't being knocked down — he's on his way to being knocked down..."

Physical clashes inevitably sparked conflicts; Wei Shihao and Sambali quickly got into it.

While Tang Ye still lay on the ground, Wei Shihao and two Senegalese defenders received three yellow cards total.

The match's total yellow cards now reached five.

"Fucking idiot"

Not just to avenge Tang Ye, Wei Shihao had also gotten worked up; finally, Zhang Xizhe pulled him away.

After two defenders received yellow cards, Senegal immediately substituted.

Their tactic was this: to limit Tang Ye, certain fouls were necessary.

So Cisse had to ensure key defenders and defensive midfielders had no cards.

Watching the two new Senegalese defenders sprint forward, Tang Ye narrowed his eyes, lost in thought.

He was exhausted, but in the next few minutes, Tang Ye suddenly unleashed an astonishing rhythm.

"Hey, what's going on?"

The commentators and fans were stunned.

Tang Ye suddenly accelerated his passing and movement, giving the impression of playing a Champions League knockout match.

His teammates couldn't keep up, but Tang Ye didn't care for now.

A player just subbed on can't find his rhythm in such a short time—Tang Ye intended to seize this opportunity!

"Go!"

Gao Zhunyi passed the ball to Tang Ye, then prepared to run over for support—when Tang Ye executed a stepover, creating space, dodged the defender, and surged forward.

Gao Zhunyi:?

Wu Lei and Wei Shihao moved in to try to combine.

Wu Lei focused intensely, played a one-two with Tang Ye, helping him close in further on the penalty area.

It was the chance!

With a defender in front, Tang Ye pointed with his finger toward the right sideline, signaling Wu Lei to make a run, then used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball to the right.

The camera zoomed in—Tang Ye's center of gravity suddenly dropped, forcing the defender to shift his body direction.

In the instant the defender shifted his weight, Tang Ye took a small step forward with his right foot.

!

The defender's weight shifted even further!

Then!

Tang Ye feinted with his right foot, simultaneously rising his center of gravity, and carried the ball past to the left.

"Oh!!!!!!"

Lift the left leg!

Fake shot!

"Oh!!"

After dribbling past two defenders in succession, Tang Ye stepped directly into the penalty area.

His teammates were calling for the ball, but Tang Ye ignored them, preparing for his third dribble.

The Senegalese center-back panicked and stomped directly onto Tang Ye's foot.

Tang Ye tried to dodge, but didn't fully avoid it.

"Hey!"

"That's a penalty!"

"That's definitely a penalty!"

Fans screamed, pressuring the referee.

Look at the referee!

The referee jogged over slowly, with almost no hesitation.

Pointed to the penalty spot!

"Oh my gosh!"

"It's a penalty!"

"Penalty for China!"

…

Dongqi Di real-time report: Tang Ye dribbled past three defenders in the center before being fouled and falling—China awarded a penalty.

(End of chapter)