Chapter 476: Ready and Set: The Hero Mission for the Asian Cup Semi-Finals (Requesting Votes)

"No photos! No videos! (No photography, no recording)!"

The base security drove away the visiting reporters.

Originally, they thought the existing security at the Abu Dhabi base was sufficient.

But looking at it now, it seemed to be lacking quite a bit?

"They're really impressive,"

Tang Ye said, looking at the large tree where the reporters had just been.

"What's wrong?"

Zhang Zhang Yuning turned his head over, ready to learn something from Tang Ye that he didn't know himself.

"That tree must be about 15 meters tall, yet they managed to climb it."

Tang Ye hadn't blinked once, seemingly contemplating whether he could climb that tree himself.

"Uh..."

"Alright."

Zhang Zhang Yuning shook his head, gesturing for Tang Ye to join him in warming up.

"..."

The players took their positions on the training field.

The referee confirmed with both head coaches, and upon receiving Lippi's thumbs-up gesture, blew the whistle.

The match began!

China Team (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Wang Wang Dalei

Defenders: Wang Wang Shenchao, Feng Feng Xiaoting, Shi Ke, Zhang Zhang Linpeng

Midfielders: Zhang Zhang Xizhe, Tang Ye, Zheng Zhi

Forwards: Yu Yu Hanchao, Zhang Zhang Yuning, Wu Lei

Tang Ye and Wu Lei ran forward directly, while their teammates handled the ball in the back.

Lippi had specifically chosen the opponent for this warm-up match.

Abu Dhabi United was the type of team that wasn't too strong, yet could still exchange blows with the national football team.

Such a team was simply perfect for pre-match practice!

Pa!

A long kick came from the back field; Tang Ye moved to Wu Lei's side.

"Pass it directly to me!"

Wu Lei controlled the ball with his chest and passed it to Tang Ye.

OK!

Tang Ye decisively dribbled the ball forward to press!

While advancing, he constantly observed the positioning of teammates and opponents in the front field.

There were two defending players in front of him.

"You can pass to the left!"

Madaloni shouted loudly.

The next second, Tang Ye passed from his right foot to his left, combining with physical contact, and slipped directly between the two defending players.

"..."

Madaloni and Lippi exchanged a glance.

"Stop giving instructions for now,"

Mr. Lippi offered his suggestion.

"... Oh."

The defending players behind were still chasing!

Hiss!

This time, Tang Ye didn't try to show off; he decisively played a through ball to Zhang Zhang Yuning.

Zhang Zhang Yuning ran forward and received the ball!

Then passed it to Yu Yu Hanchao on the left!

After adjusting his positioning laterally, Tang Ye suddenly made a forward run into the penalty area.

Look to the left flank!

Pa!

A 45-degree cross from Yu Yu Hanchao!

Tang Ye carefully observed the landing point, extending his foot to control the ball.

But a defending player in the penalty area came over.

With no other choice and under pressure, Tang Ye could only turn around, control the ball with his chest, and then use his body to shield the ball from the opponent.

The ball fell to his feet.

Bang!

Suddenly, he tapped the ball with his heel.

The shot wasn't very accurate, but it was surprising enough; the opposing defenders failed to react in time.

Goal!

"Haha!"

A very handsome goal; after scoring, Tang Ye immediately jumped up to high-five Zhang Zhang Yuning.

"Awesome, Tang Ye!"

Less than three minutes into the match, the Chinese team successfully secured their first goal.

【How about it, brothers, has the match started?】

【It should have started; is there any big shot who can sneak a peek at the live scene and tell me how many goals Ggbond has scored?】

【Do the math; it should have just kicked off. I feel like Tang Ye should be controlling the ball right now!】

【Let's go, let's go!】

【Why is this a closed-door friendly match, damn it?】

【Calm down, calm down; let the national football team develop secretly for a bit.】

"Let's go!"

The players clapped each other's hands to boost morale.

With one goal in just over two minutes, the Chinese team players were currently riding high on momentum.

However, coaches Lippi and Madaloni could not be considered particularly happy.

That goal just now could only be said to be 95% due to Tang Ye's individual ability.

What the coaching staff hoped to see was excellent tactical execution and mutual cooperation between the players!

"Slow down a bit first; we can slow the tempo down a bit!"

Madaloni had the translator convey his words to Tang Ye: "Don't rush in this training match; we'll gradually pick up the pace!"

"Okay, okay!"

Tang Ye raised his hand to signal acknowledgment.

The match continued!

The Sun: China vs. Abu Dhabi United closed-door friendly in progress; Tom scores immediately after kickoff.

【What the fuck?】

【Wait, if you already know it's a closed-door friendly, why are you still reporting on it?】

【Where did this news come from?】

【Is this the legendary telescope? Peeping from London all the way to the UAE?】

For some reason, an English newspaper was actually reporting live updates on the friendly match.

But since The Sun disclosed no information other than the score and the goal scorer, it didn't really matter.

Peeping from several hundred meters away with a high-magnification lens; honestly, there was truly no other way.

There were simply too many high-rise buildings in the UAE!

With a handsome god-like figure like Ggbond, who could resist peeping?

Wu Lei received Tang Ye's long pass, then began drifting toward the center.

Tang Ye was also making a run toward the central attacking third!

"Pass, pass, pass!"

Wu Lei passed back to Zhang Zhang Xizhe, and Zhang Zhang Xizhe passed to Tang Ye.

Tang Ye passed back to Wu Lei!

"Nice!"

Madaloni clenched both fists.

A perfectly executed combination!

Watch Wu Lei!

Pass to Zhang Zhang Yuning!

After receiving the ball, Zhang Zhang Yuning stopped inside the penalty area, and the Chinese team suddenly slowed their attacking tempo.

He gently pushed the ball back to Zhang Zhang Xizhe behind him.

"Shoot directly!"

Tang Ye reminded.

Zhang Zhang Xizhe got ready.

Bang!

A volley was struck.

Duang!

The ball rebounded out; Tang Ye quickly arrived near the landing spot.

The Abu Dhabi defensive midfielder still wanted to challenge for the ball, but Tang Ye shoved him aside with his body.

"Here!"

He gently chipped the ball into the penalty area.

Zhang Zhang Yuning passed again to Wu Lei!

Pa!

A volley was fired!

Goal!

The score moved to 2:0!

"Phew..."

The players gathered together, clapping each other's hands, while Madaloni exhaled a deep breath.

The team's performance in several friendly matches in December had not been very good, but today there was suddenly a qualitative leap.

Simple control of variables reveals the reason for the national team's improvement.

It's that man!

China's number 10!

Tang Ye's presence brings improvements to the national team that go beyond mere combat strength.

It is mostly about momentum.

Because as long as Tang Ye is on the field, the other players of the Chinese team can feel at ease.

We always have teammates stronger than our opponents!

"Hmm..."

Tang Ye touched his waist, pondering the strategy for the upcoming match.

According to Mr. Marcello's requirements.

Scoring goals can be put aside for now; what matters more is handling the coordination first.

Snap!

【De Bruyne Standard Long Pass Lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 2312/5000

The long pass went directly to Yu Yu Hanchao making a run down the left flank; the latter controlled the ball and then slowly pushed forward.

Delivering a cross immediately!

But it was punched straight out by the goalkeeper.

"It's fine, Brother Chao, be more decisive!"

Tang Ye pointed toward the goal: "Just control it well and cross immediately, don't overthink it!"

Tang Ye knew that not everyone possessed a brain as smart as his.

Sometimes thinking too much leads to mistakes instead.

The corner kick is taken!

At the first point of contact...

Based on Tang Ye's understanding of his teammates' positioning, Feng Feng Xiaoting should win this ball unless something unexpected happens.

Directly help block the defensive player's position!

Feng Feng Xiaoting and Zhang Zhang Yuning jumped up together.

Boom!

A header from Feng Feng Xiaoting.

Goal!

The score becomes 3:0!

"Hehe."

Tang Ye turned to glance at the Abu Dhabi defender blocked behind him, smiling very happily.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his jersey and walked to where his teammates were.

"Feels very easy, brothers."

Time quickly reached halftime.

Written on the tactical board in the locker room was the current match score.

3:1, this was what Madaloni had just written.

Squeak squeak!

But it was erased by Lippi.

Madaloni:...

"We shouldn't pay too much attention to the score right now; whether we win or lose, it won't affect my overall evaluation of you after the match ends."

"What will affect my evaluation of you? Your actual performance on the field, that is what matters most."

Lippi didn't use the tactical board, speaking completely as if he were just chatting with the players.

And perhaps because Marcello was so old, from a distance it seemed like a father instructing his sons.

"In the first half, we relied on Tom's individual ability to attack in many situations; is doing this correct?"

"No..."

"Of course it is correct."

The players wanted to answer, but Lippi provided the answer himself.

"We have powerful players, so we must rely on them, but you have gone a bit too far. It's fine for a training match now, but what about during actual matches? A week later, our opponents won't be as friendly as today; they will specifically target Tom."

Lippi's gaze swept over each of the national football team players one by one.

"Therefore, we must have more than one attacking point; I won't make excessive demands on you, just that when Tom is blocked, we need other players who can step up and make a suitable breakthrough."

Many players on the Chinese team thought that just finding Tang Ye would solve everything, but the experienced Marcello immediately saw the problem.

Actually, compared to constantly letting Tang Ye receive the ball, having teammates receive the ball and push forward would better activate Tang Ye's off-ball movement abilities.

"Think about how Rodri and Frankie do it."

Madaloni added.

This sentence was directed at the several midfielders of the national football team.

And of course, the fullbacks as well.

Manchester United's core is Tom.

The Chinese team's core is Ggbond.

Tom and GGBond were alone again.

So, in a certain sense, Manchester United and the Chinese National Team are actually the same squad.

Their tactics are extremely similar!

Then the direction for the Chinese team to become stronger is very obvious: gradually align themselves with Manchester United.

The Dragon Team is red.

The Red Devils are also red!

Analyze the problems exposed by the team in detail; the second-half training match will begin in 30 minutes.

"Substitutions in 20 minutes!"

Madaloni emphasized this to the players.

It is impossible to have all starting players play for 90 minutes; with a roster of 23 players, China needs to use this warm-up match to fully integrate both the starters and the substitutes.

The second half of the match has begun!

"Move forward!"

Tang Ye signaled Yu Yu Hanchao to press high, then instructed Zhang Zhang Yuning to drop back and support him.

Meanwhile, Wu Lei also moved over!

Directing the runs of three teammates simultaneously, Tang Ye constructed a flat diagram in his mind, depicting the positions of all players on the field five seconds later.

Now, all he needed to do was think rapidly with his brain to find the most suitable attacking route.

Got it!

Spotting the opportunity, Tang Ye decisively passed the ball to Wu Lei.

Wu Lei then laid the ball off to Zhang Zhang Linpeng, who was making a forward run!

Okay, okay!

Perfect; the situation on the field matched his calculations almost exactly.

Tang Ye also began his rapid forward run to provide support.

He thoroughly enjoyed this feeling of successfully predicting the match!

Slap!

Zhang Zhang Linpeng played a square pass to find Zheng Zhi in the center.

"Wait, wait!"

Asking Zheng Zhi not to rush the pass, Tang Ye first ran forward to a suitable position.

Now it's about right!

Receive the ball!

Dribble forward under pressure!

The positioning of the defenders near the penalty area wasn't very good; if Tang Ye dribbled forward himself, he had at least a 70% chance of bursting into the opponent's box to take a shot.

However, he remembered Mr. Marcello's tactical requirements, so he chose not to do that.

As his teammates moved closer to him, Tang Ye slowly reduced his speed.

After completing a crossover run with Yu Yu Hanchao, by the time he regained possession, Tang Ye had already appeared at the left-wing baseline.

Slap!

【De Bruyne's Cutback Cross Lv5: Replication (Transcendent State)】

Proficiency: 198/3500

A cutback pass to find Zhang Zhang Xizhe!

Bang!

The shot is taken.

The ball went in again!

The score is now 4:1!

"Wow!"

Raising their hands to celebrate, the Chinese team players were currently extremely happy.

This was the best scoreline they had produced in the last three training matches!

"Time!"

Tang Ye shouted toward the coach on the sidelines.

After checking his watch, Madaloni gave his response.

It was now the 61st minute of the second half; by this point, the integration training for the starting players was roughly complete.

"Beep, beep-beep!!!"

Repost: Warm-up Match China 6:2 Abu Dhabi United, Wu Lei and Yu Yu Hanchao with 2 goals each, Tang Ye scores. (Comments: 10231)

Apart from the scoreline and the goal scorers, fans could not obtain any more information about the match from the internet.

Go check The Sun's official website.

Aside from some delayed reports regarding the goals, The Sun's Twitter had nothing else.

Alright!

Since that was the case, fans had no way of knowing the actual situation of the Chinese team's training.

However, regardless of anything, the 6:2 scoreline still indicated something.

Was the Chinese team's form seemingly very good?

"This is already the fourth time you've participated in the Asian Cup in your career. Although you failed to achieve good results in the previous three tournaments, that cannot deny the fact that you are a legend."

"You have received a new mission: Hero in Twilight."

"Mission Requirement: Reach the Asian Cup Semi-finals."

"Reward: Miracle Chest (Hero Edition)."

"Asian Cup Semi-finals..."

In the hotel room at night, Tang Ye sat alone, staring blankly at the television.

Of course, Tang Ye wasn't actually watching TV; his attention was entirely focused on the System.

Reaching the quarter-finals wasn't too difficult for the national football team.

But as for the semi-finals...

Making the Asian Cup semi-finals was a rather awkward position to be in.

Simply reaching out wouldn't suffice; the Chinese team players would have to jump to reach it.

But regardless, since the System had already declared him a legend of the Chinese team, he absolutely had to make a serious effort.

The grand boasts he had once made at the Shandong Luneng Football School now had to be realized one by one, all of them!

Premier League Official Announcement: The Premier League Player of the Month for December is Manchester United midfielder Tang Ye.

Sky Sports evaluates the Top 10 Premier League Players of 2018:

1. Tang Ye, Manchester United.

2. Salah, Liwupu.

3. Hazard, Chelsea.

4. Sterling, Mancheng.

6. Rashford, Manchester United.

9. Rodri, Manchester United.

10. Aubameyang, Arsenal.

PS: Updates have resumed; there will be two more chapters tonight.

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(End of Chapter)