Chapter 43: Groningen

【At 37, you scored with just one touch—your ability is terrifying】

【Reward: 10 Reverse Points】

“That’s it, beautiful!”

Ten Hag raised both hands, sharing the joy of the goal with Tang Ye.

Seeing Tang Ye’s training pay off, Ten Hag was naturally pleased.

Was the goal on the pitch spectacular?

It was earned with sweat!

The match continued; because Tang Ye had opened the scoring, the Groningen players had to raise their pace.

Because they were behind!

And suddenly behind!

That 99 was like a thief sneaking into his own penalty area, then like a thief slipping the ball into his own net!

“Pull yourselves together! Pull yourselves together! Stay focused!”

John kept shouting to the players: “We can win this—keep your composure, control the rhythm!”

During the next kickoff, as teammates slowly returned to their positions, John called over Bonnet and De Roest.

John issued an unprecedented instruction.

That was specifically to target that thief-like 99!

“Tang the King has given Utrecht the advantage—now see if Utrecht’s players can hold onto it.”

“The away team is pressing hard—Number 17, what’s his name? De Roest, okay, De Roest push forward!”

“Tang Ye! Tang Ye, who’s waiting in the center, move up!”

“De Roest is in trouble under Tang Ye’s tight marking!”

“Tang Ye, stick out your foot—”

“Tang Ye was nutmegged!”

“Is there any defender who can come over and help!”

“It’s urgent! Amrabat is moving toward the center, but he might be too late!”

Captain De Roest handled the ball perfectly—he shed Tang Ye on the grass and found himself open.

Facing his teammate’s call for the ball, De Roest didn’t rush to pass.

He dribbled forward himself!

De Roest, like Ramseyer, preferred to carry the ball himself.

But Ramseyer was a fake playmaking midfielder.

De Roest was a true playmaking midfielder!

After running nearly twenty meters, De Roest still hadn’t passed—he was only forced to release the ball when Amrabat and Stried together closed in.

To Antonia!

Antonia, square it—

Returning defender Enganioni intercepted Antonia’s pass.

But unfortunately, the deflected ball still landed at a Groningen player’s feet.

It’s you again, Tiblin!

“I’m coming!”

Tang Ye trudged slowly back from the front, grass clippings clinging to his jersey—the badge of the weak.

He’d just been nutmegged!

Tiblin, cross at 45 degrees!

In the central penalty area—this is Driew’s chance!

Thud!

Driew didn’t let his teammates down—he leaped high and headed the ball past Utrecht’s goal.

“GOOOOO——AAAAAA——LLLLLLL！！！！”

“DeLeeuw!”

1:1!

Dutchman Driew’s header equalized the score for Groningen.

Driew didn’t make contact with any Utrecht defender, and the assistant referee didn’t raise his flag for offside.

This goal was flawless!

“What the hell are you doing?!”

Goalkeeper Ruit shouted at Stried: “You can’t even mark one man? Why?!”

Ramseyer and Timo Lechert rushed over to pull them apart.

Driew’s goal didn’t just equalize—it exposed the rift between Utrecht’s defender and goalkeeper.

Seeing the situation deteriorate, Ten Hag immediately shouted for Tang Ye, playing as an attacking midfielder, to drop back.

Huh?

Tang Ye didn’t quite understand Ten Hag’s meaning, but it was the head coach’s order—he had no choice but to comply.

19th minute, 1:1, match continues.

Once moved to the defensive midfield position, Tang Ye immediately felt the pressure from the opposing forwards—Driew, Lin Sen, and Antonia all pressed forward together.

Forget passing or attacking—you can’t even protect the ball!

Under this pressure, Utrecht’s 5-3-2 formation began to show its weaknesses.

Facing Driew’s fierce pressing, Tang Ye struggled terribly.

Just before halftime, Antonia won a penalty in the box, and Driew converted it cleanly.

They took the lead!

As expected, Stried and Ruit started arguing again.

【Damn, this is over】

【Man, I thought we had this locked after Tang Ye’s goal…】

【Groningen’s momentum is strong—this high press has Utrecht unable to pass the ball out】

【Regretting it, guys—we should’ve bet on Groningen】

【Don’t believe in Tang the King anymore?】

【Your Tang the King’s been moved to defensive midfield—do you think Utrecht still has a chance?】

【Fuck, stupid Ten Hag—I’m done. Tang Ye is not a defensive midfielder!】

“Damn…”

Tang Ye gritted his teeth, his condition worsening.

Groningen’s pressing was intense—it left him exhausted and with no offensive opportunities.

“Beep! Beep-beep!”

The referee blew the whistle for halftime, and both teams headed toward the tunnel.

“Come on!”

“Tom! Come on!”

The fans’ cheers were loud—Tang Ye heard his name again, lifting his spirits.

In the locker room, Ten Hag and Van der Gaag emphasized key points for the second half.

Soon, they turned to Tang Ye.

“Tang—”

Ten Hag turned to Tang Ye, hesitating as he spoke.

Clearly, the Dutchman was unsure about the tactic he was about to deploy.

“We’ll substitute you off around the 50th minute.”

?

??

Tang Ye spread his hands: “What?”

Tang Ye had already prepared to argue with Ten Hag, but the man suddenly changed his mind: “Hmm… maybe stay on a bit longer. Go back to attacking midfield—let Balat and Sofyan handle defensive midfield.”

Ramseyer stood up: “They’ve got three forwards pressing us—we’re only two, it’ll be impossible to handle.”

“Then find a way to involve the defenders!”

Ten Hag shouted.

He’d seen in those few minutes of the first half that putting Tang Ye at defensive midfield was useless.

He only knew how to tackle.

If his first tackle missed, his defensive ability was worse than U15 kids!

“Thanks.”

Learning Ten Hag planned to give him more chances, Tang Ye simply thanked him, then began thinking.

He’d scored one goal, but the Portuguese chest in the system still showed 【Advanced】.

Clearly, one goal wasn’t enough to upgrade the Portuguese chest to 【Star】 level.

He had to find another opportunity!

They are already one goal behind in the first half.

Tang Ye needs to find an opportunity in the second half!

This second half determines whether Tang Ye can upgrade his chest to a higher rank, and also whether he retains his hard-won starting position.

How to avoid Tenghahe ’s malicious extra training?

Secure his position as a starting player.

How to secure his position as a starting player?

Conquer Tenghahe with an outstanding performance.

And then…

Crush Aiyub on the bench!

…

(End of Chapter)