Chapter 495: Bonds, Friendship? The Naive Blue Samurai vs. King GG

#China vs Japan.

#China 1:2 Japan.

#China scores from a free kick.

#……

They still have to play Japan; the Asian Cup's viewership is now closing in on the World Cup's.

The problem is that China is currently trailing Japan, which is truly not good news.

"Come on!"

"Go China!"

While the other players were walking toward the tunnel, Tang Ye stood alone, unmoving, casting a glance toward the Japanese team's goal.

Hmm...

Shaking his head with a sigh, just then Wu Lei walked over.

"Let's go back first."

Wu Lei placed his hand on Tang Ye's shoulder.

In this situation, lingering in regret was useless; the key was to find a way to win the match.

Tang Ye and Wu Lei walked together toward the locker room, listening to the fans' cheers along the way.

Although reaching the Asian Cup semifinals meant the Chinese team had already fulfilled its mission.

But if one could advance further, who would want to stop?

Dongqiu Di pinned post: China vs Japan Asian Cup Semifinal Halftime, current score 1:2, China trailing.

The pinned homepage banner on the app burned with blood-red flames, depicting Tang Ye and Wu Lei roaring at the sky, looking somewhat terrifying.

Hiss...

This must be the coolest match poster for the Chinese team since the Asian Cup began!

【Go China!!!!】

【If they equalize the score, I'll drop to my knees right here, okay?】

【Can the person above be any more devout? I've already been kneeling for 45 minutes.】

【Tang Ye, the King of Football, lead us to the Asian Cup final!】

According to reports from CCTV, roughly thirty million people within China are currently watching this super clash.

"Everyone sit down and stay quiet!"

Madaloni shouted a few times, and the locker room, which already lacked noise, became even quieter.

"Five defenders; our plan was to use five defenders to stop the opponent's wing attacks, but in the actual match, our tactics did not fulfill our plan."

Lippi said slowly.

Japan's wing attacks were something the Chinese team needed to deal with.

But given the first-half situation, even with five defenders plus three defensive midfielders, China seemed to have no good method to restrict Japan's wings.

They played too cleverly.

First attacking the left flank to draw Tang Ye over.

Then, once Tang Ye moved to the left, switching the ball to the right flank to avoid him.

It looked like a very simple attacking approach, yet in the first half, the Chinese team suffered greatly because of it!

"I feel I can't keep going out to the wings so often."

Tang Ye suddenly interjected.

After listening briefly just now, he had already mostly guessed what Lippi intended to do.

In the opposing team's locker room next door.

As the leading side, the Japanese team was also making tactical adjustments.

"This match might be even harder to play than that World Cup knockout game; you must remember we lost that one."

"Although we are currently leading, we cannot be certain what adjustments China will make in the second half."

Hajime Moriyasu spread his hands: "What can we do? All we can do is push our abilities to the limit. Of course, I hope everyone strives to achieve results; we must play a match that fits the Japanese team's style."

Captain Maya Yoshida stood up, and subsequently, the other Japanese players stood up as well.

"A bag of rice needs to carry several floors! (Let them feel pain!)"

Maya Yoshida shouted loudly.

But if it was only pain, that would not be enough.

"China thinks they can claim victory, but I can assure you, we absolutely want to win this ball more than they do."

"Three, two, one!"

"Get ready..."

"Don't underestimate the bonds between us, Deer!"

The door to the Japanese team's locker room swung open.

Two staff members hurriedly moved aside, watching as the Japanese players rushed out of the room one by one.

They didn't know what had happened; they only knew the Japanese players were shouting about things like friendship and bonds as they charged out.

But...

One of the staff members turned his head to look at the colleague beside him: "Playing the 'bonds' card in front of Tom, is this... really appropriate?"

"Alright, the second half begins!"

"We can see that neither side has made any substitution adjustments yet!"

As soon as the second half began, the CCTV commentator displayed tremendous passion.

In this situation, it was no longer just about work.

The Chinese people want the Chinese team to win!

"Come, come, come!"

Reaching out to take the ball from a teammate, Tang Ye suddenly accelerated forward.

His impact was strong enough; although Watanabe Yasuyuki followed, he failed to intercept Tang Ye.

Perfect!

Securing such a good attacking opportunity right at the start, the Chinese team naturally would not let it slip away.

Dribbling forward himself, he crossed the center circle and continued advancing.

Shift to the right flank!

"Over here!"

Calling for Wu Lei to provide support, Tang Ye passed the ball out.

Pulling out to the right flank, he received Wu Lei's pass again!

Executing a delayed one-two combination, Tang Ye chose to drive down the right flank himself.

At this moment, Tang Ye looked nothing like a defensive midfielder.

This was because he knew this match was tough enough, so he had to unleash every ounce of his ability.

GGBond, ignite!

At the byline!

Tang Ye evaded Haraguchi Genki and found Nagatomo Yuto.

Slowing down the rhythm.

Okay, now it's a one-versus-two situation at the byline.

Wu Lei moved over to provide support; seizing the moment when the defenders' attention was divided, Tang Ye suddenly surged forward using the outside of his foot.

"Eh!"

Nagatomo Yuto stepped up to intercept, but Tang Ye pushed the ball sideways with the inside of his foot.

Haraguchi Genki stretched out his leg!

Tang Ye pushed the ball sideways again!

Pulling off a "fried meatball" feint, Tang Ye successfully burst through between the two Japanese defenders.

Spotting Gao Lin making a run to the far post!

Yoshida Maya charged toward Tang Ye!

Knocking the ball with his right foot to create space, he then delivered a high cross with his left.

Gao Lin!

Boom!

The national team striker leaped high, heading the ball into the six-yard box, where it rebounded and was caught by the goalkeeper.

"Oh!"

The Japanese fans in the stands were startled, while Moriyasu Hajime broke out in a cold sweat.

"Awesome, awesome!"

Zheng Zhi shouted, "Great play, keep it up!"

Launching an attack was certainly a good thing.

However, in the second half, the Japanese team also adjusted their tactics, launching frequent attacks targeting the Chinese side.

Boom!

Yoshida Maya delivered a precise, long-range grounded through-ball that found Doan Ritsu in the front field.

Doan Ritsu accelerated forward with the ball!

He pushed a through-pass to Shibasaki Gaku, who was making a run on the left.

And then, Osako Okazaki Yuya at the byline!

Snap!

A cross was sent out, looking for Minamino Takumi.

Minamino Takumi!

Boom!

A long-range shot flew in, but Wang Wang Dalei jumped on the spot and punched the ball away.

"Beautiful!"

"Wang Wang Dalei!"

"A quite perfect save; the Chinese team successfully thwarted Japan's attempt to extend their lead!"

Inside the penalty area, Shi Ke and Wang Wang Dalei collided chest-to-chest, venting their current excitement.

Both sides played fiercely in the second half.

Through his own dribbling and offensive coordination abilities, Tang Ye forcibly lifted his team's possession rate.

Time reached the 60th minute of the second half.

Snap!

Wang Wang Dalei sent out a long pass!

Just ahead of the center circle, Tang Ye and Watanabe Yasuyuki arrived first.

Both men jumped into the air.

Boom!

No one touched the ball, but Endo Wataru collapsed directly to the ground.

Beep!

The referee temporarily halted the match, allowing the Japanese team doctor to come onto the field to treat Endo Wataru.

"Let's check on Endo Wataru's condition..."

"Oh, Endo Wataru's head collided with Tang Ye's shoulder."

Thinking it was a foul by Tang Ye, Chinese fans breathed a sigh of relief.

Endo Wataru was not tall to begin with and jumped very low, so his original header struck directly against Tang Ye's body.

"Hiss... Endo Wataru's situation doesn't look good."

The team doctor supported Endo Wataru as he left the field.

"Sorry!"

Tang Ye shouted in English, though he didn't know if Endo Wataru, who had already walked far away, heard him.

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: Tang Ye and Endo Wataru contested a header in the center; Endo Wataru injured and substituted off; Muroya Sei replaced him.

With the starting midfielder substituted off, tactically speaking, this was undoubtedly good news for China.

The problem was that Muroya Sei, whom Moriyasu Hajime brought on, was a defender.

"Hiss... Is the Japanese team also preparing to play with five defenders?"

Thinking carefully about it.

There were still 30 minutes left until the end of the match, and Japan led by one goal.

In that case, wouldn't dragging this scoreline to the final whistle secure their qualification?

Why fight tooth and nail against China until the very end?

Moriyasu Hajime's substitution adjustment made many Chinese fans nervous.

"Phew..."

Tang Ye gritted his teeth, kneading his shoulder with his hand.

The Chinese team doctor also wanted to enter the field to provide treatment, but Tang Ye waved him away.

If he received treatment once, he would have to wait off the field for a while before re-entering; Tang Ye did not want to waste that time.

The match restarted!

The clock reached the 72nd minute!

Through the coordination of Wu Lei and Zheng Zhi, Tang Ye easily gained possession of the ball.

While controlling the ball, he jumped up, completing a nutmeg on Shibasaki Gaku!

"Wow!"

Shibasaki Gaku had no choice but to pull Tang Ye down.

Boom!

He crashed heavily onto the ground, and when he stood up again, blood had already started flowing from Tang Ye's left arm.

A classic foul on Tang Ye in the center; China thus earned their fourth direct free-kick opportunity of the match.

Tang Ye and Hao Hao Junmin stood together, covering their mouths as they whispered to each other.

"Left, left!"

The Japanese goalkeeper directed the defending players to change their positioning.

In the first half, he had witnessed Tang Ye's knuckleball with his own eyes; he had to be careful.

"Jump higher!"

Gonda Shuichi flung both hands upward vigorously.

Hao Hao Junmin and Tang Ye took their positions, one on the left and one on the right; as they prepared for the free kick, Tang Ye kept exchanging glances with his teammates.

"Beep!!!"

It began!

Hao Hao Junmin ran forward, then stepped over the ball.

As expected, Tang Ye was the one to take this shot.

Run-up!

Boom!

He struck a knuckleball; after dipping, it smashed into the goal net.

"Damn!"

Tang Ye rolled up his jersey and bit down on it.

【Holy crap, so accurate】

【If it had been just a little lower, it would have gone in】

【The devils jumped higher than imagined】

【Ah, can Tang Ye take another one?】

China failed to seize the chance to equalize, and the fans were now extremely tense.

It was already nearing the 75th minute.

The opportunity China missed might very well be their last one of the match!

The camera focused on Tang Ye's face; in front of their televisions, many fans clenched their fists tightly.

Can you do it, ggbond?

In the 75th minute, Japan launched another attack.

Nagatomo Yuto delivered a 45-degree cross into the box, finding Minamino Takumi.

"Minamino Takumi!"

"Oof! That was close!"

"Yes, we can see that although the Japanese team focused more on defense in the second half, they still managed to frequently threaten the Chinese team's goal."

"From this perspective, Hajime Moriyasu's possession-based system is quite successful!"

The Japanese team is much stronger now than they were during last year's World Cup!

"China launches a counterattack!"

"Wang Wang Dalei throws the ball!"

As Wang Wang Dalei's throw-in flew out, a sharp scream immediately erupted from the crowd.

Because Wang Wang Dalei's throw-in found Wu Lei directly, who was positioned in the Japanese team's half!

Controlling the ball!

The first touch wasn't very good; Wu Lei quickly adjusted, then dribbled forward.

Tang Ye was rushing up from behind.

Wu Lei wanted to pass, but Tang Ye rejected the idea.

"Pull to the left!"

"Gao Lin, move up!"

Wu Lei dribbled forward himself, found an opening, and then slid a diagonal through-pass to Gao Lin.

Gao Lin passed it back to Tang Ye!

Tang Ye takes control!

Boom!

Shibasaki Gaku charged straight in, sending Tang Ye crashing to his knees.

The referee prepared to blow the whistle, but Tang Ye suddenly stood up and kept possession of the ball.

Advantage to the Chinese team's attack; the referee chooses to wait and see!

Tang Ye continues forward!

Tomiyasu Takehiro ran out from the penalty area; Tang Ye tapped the ball from his left foot to his right, instantly cutting inside.

The very next second after cutting inside, Tang Ye unleashed a curling shot.

!

The processing speed was absurdly fast; Tomiyasu Takehiro hadn't even shifted into a defensive stance yet.

Tang Ye's long-range shot struck Tomiyasu Takehiro's arm.

"Handball!"

The Chinese players rushed toward the referee, while Tang Ye slapped his own right arm with his left hand.

It was one hundred percent a handball by Tomiyasu Takehiro; Tang Ye, being the closest, saw it most clearly.

"Penalty! It's a penalty!"

"Penalty!!!"

"Penalty!"

"Beep beep beep beep!!!"

The fans were anxious; the referee was still waiting for the result from the VAR booth.

Tang Ye had already picked the ball up from the ground, preparing to take the penalty kick.

"Beep!!!"

The referee blew the whistle, awarding the Chinese team a direct free-kick opportunity.

"Hey, no, why!"

Tang Ye rushed in front of the referee: "It's a penalty! This is a penalty! His foot was inside the box!"

A direct free-kick from this position is indeed excellent.

But changing a penalty into a direct free-kick created a huge drop in morale for the Chinese football players.

Tang Ye's direct free-kicks are fierce, no doubt, but no matter what, they can't have a higher success rate than a penalty kick!

The players on the field started arguing directly with the referee, and the big screen showed the replay.

Tomiyasu Takehiro happened to be positioned right on the edge line of the penalty area, but not inside it.

In other words...

The referee's decision was correct!

This truly was not a penalty!

"Fuck your mother!"

Wang Wang Shenchao immediately started cursing, and the next second, the referee showed him a yellow card.

"Alright, alright, it's fine!"

Zheng Zhi urged everyone to calm down.

Now, they could only accept this result.

Throwing the ball on the ground, Tang Ye wanted to kick it far away, but in the end, he held back.

"Damn it, if I had shot a bit earlier, it would have been a penalty!"

Tang Ye was naturally the one suffering the most right now.

What if the Chinese team ends up losing because they didn't get a penalty?

"It's fine!"

Zheng Zhi placed his hands on Tang Ye's shoulders: "Don't carry the burden; just give it your all."

"Tang Ye, listen: you are the best at free kicks among us. If you score, we score; if you miss, there's nothing more we can do. This is the result everyone here chose. Alright, lift your head!"

Zheng Zhi pulled Tang Ye toward the spot for the free kick.

Gritting his teeth, Tang Ye's eyes were terrifyingly red.

He picked the ball up from the ground.

"Damn it, let's do this!"

……

Check Dongqiu Di live match report: 78th minute, Hiroki Sakai handles the ball outside the penalty area; China earns a direct free kick.

This is China's fifth direct free kick of the match.

Tang Ye and Hao Hao Junmin stood together once again.

(End of chapter)