Chapter 88: Will He Play the Full Match? I Think So

【De Bruyne Curved Through Pass Lv3: Simulation】

Proficiency: 168/400

The full proficiency cap of 400 is only at 168; according to Tang Ye’s estimate, he won’t be able to upgrade the curved through pass to Lv4 before the end of this season.

But it doesn’t matter—looking at the newly unlocked 【De Bruyne 45-Degree Cross】, he doesn’t necessarily need to raise his existing skills to a high level to gain new ones.

Meeting the attribute requirements works too!

Check the proficiency of the far-angle hook shot again—it still has a long way to go before upgrading.

With that in mind, Tang Ye shifted his focus to the 45-degree cross.

Although he still needs over 80 proficiency points to reach Lv3 for the 45-degree cross, passing training is relatively easy to accumulate.

Tang Ye did a quick calculation: if he trained a little every day, he could reach Lv3 for the 45-degree cross by mid-May.

“Phew…”

Tang Ye exhaled deeply, feeling immense pressure building up.

Utrecht is about to face Ajax, second in the league standings, and Tang Ye still doesn’t know if he’ll even play the full match.

According to rumors from Fan De, if Utrecht lets Tang Ye play the full match in the next game, the club will face a fine of at least 80,000 euros.

Ajax is the opponent, and this is a crucial title-contending match—80,000 euros is still acceptable for Utrecht.

But Tang Ye doesn’t know that Utrecht is facing another problem.

Three days before the match, Dutch police issued a warning to Utrecht.

If Tang Ye exceeds the 10 p.m. curfew again, the responsible parties will be summoned to the police station for “education.”

Under Dutch law, there are two such responsible parties.

One is Verhoeven, the club’s largest shareholder, who should logically be involved.

The other is Ten Hag.

Although Ten Hag is merely a club employee, it is he who makes the final decision on whether Tang Ye plays!

He is the direct responsible party!

…

DQD: The Dutch Football Association has recommended to the Utrecht government that continuously punishing Utrecht is unreasonable, and head coach Ten Hag should not face the threat of detention.

On the evening of April 19, less than 48 hours before Utrecht’s match against Ajax in Matchweek 31, head coach Ten Hag urgently visited owner Verhoeven.

“If possible, I hope the club pays the 80,000-euro fine—it’s a crucial match.”

Ten Hag got straight to the point: “It’s already Matchweek 31; the gap between fourth place and the top three is huge. A draw against Ajax would at least secure us a Europa League spot, and even a Champions League spot is possible.”

The Dutch coach’s meaning was clear: paying the 80,000-euro fine would be absolutely worth it for Utrecht.

He needs Tang Ye to play the full match.

“Eric, I know, I understand what you mean.”

Verhoeven sighed: “Eighty thousand euros is a lot, but to support you, I’m willing to have the club pay it.”

Verhoeven’s words brought a smile to Ten Hag’s face—but Verhoeven wasn’t finished.

“But don’t forget, besides the fine, what else are you facing? Dutch police will detain you and force you to undergo education under the Juvenile Protection Law—they’re not joking.”

“Fourth time!”

Verhoeven held up four fingers: “This is our fourth violation of the law!”

“…”

“Hasn’t the FA already proposed this? This rule shouldn’t apply to professional players—it’s unreasonable!”

Ten Hag still refused to believe he’d be detained for education.

In his view, he had broken no law—absolutely not!

If he broke no law, he shouldn’t be taken away by police!

“You must understand: Tang’s contract with us isn’t a professional contract.”

Verhoeven pointed out the core issue: “You think Tang is a professional player, I think Tang is a professional player, fans think Tang is a professional player—he’s already won Player of the Month. He can’t possibly be youth academy. But those damn bastards don’t see it that way! They don’t consider Tang a professional player—they only care that he’s a minor!”

Verhoeven was furious—he too had been driven to desperation by the Juvenile Protection Law.

“So… Mr. Paul, what should I do?”

“Phew…”

Verhoeven exhaled deeply, standing up from the sofa: “It’s up to you. Tang can start and play the full match, or he can be left off the squad entirely—it’s your call. I’m willing to pay the fine.”

“But beyond the fine, I can’t do anything else.”

“...”

Ten Hag sat silently in his chair.

He never imagined becoming a football coach would land him in such a mess.

The situation was clear: if Tang Ye is still on the pitch 30 minutes after kickoff the day after tomorrow, Dutch police will come and take him away for “education.”

Neither Verhoeven nor the Dutch FA can protect him!

…

Utrecht Evening News, front page: Tang submitted a statement to Dutch police explaining his voluntary participation in the match, but police refused to consider it, citing obvious “non-voluntary traces.”

“This was demanded by the club, not voluntary,” said a Dutch police officer.

Utrecht RTV reporter Van der Berg: “It’s shocking that Ten Hag, the underdog coach, is facing such a dilemma. Dutch police should seriously reconsider detaining Ten Hag—no matter what, Tang must start against Ajax.”

News spread fast—within hours, half the Netherlands and even Chinese fans knew Ten Hag might be jailed.

【Is this real? Holy shit, is Ten Hag really going to jail?】

【Insane, Dutch police are truly insane…】

【They just want money—Utrecht local police must be broke, so they’re squeezing Utrecht dry.】

【Just take the money, why lock people up?】

【You’re already fining them—then you have to follow the rest of the procedure too. Police probably don’t want to lock up Ten Hag, but the Juvenile Protection Group will pressure them.】

【Hahaha, Ten Hag, you got what’s coming to you!】

【What the hell, how’s Utrecht supposed to play Ajax without Tang? Just surrender already—do they really think Ten Hag can win?】

【Can anyone tell me the odds on the head coach going to jail?】

…

Due to police targeting, fans widely believed Ten Hag would bench Tang Ye in the upcoming match against Ajax.

British betting sites seized the opportunity, launching a dedicated betting line for the Ajax vs. Utrecht match.

Tang Ye’s playing odds were 1 to 3.75; besides “Tang Ye plays,” there was another option: “Away team head coach jailed after match.”

Away team head coach jailed after match!

The odds were…

1 to 15.7!

On matchday, Utrecht’s training base drew media attention.

Tang Ye appeared on Utrecht’s team bus; thirty minutes later, Utrecht officially released the matchday squad on Twitter—Tang Ye was listed.

Though no one knew if he’d actually play, Utrecht’s move earned fans’ admiration.

“They’re all guessing whether you’ll play, haha!”

Ramselaar sat on the bus, scrolling through news on his phone.

Everyone was nervous about facing Ajax, but the absurd news stories made Utrecht’s players laugh instead.

“Come on, Tang, look—rumors are already spreading.”

Ramselaar pointed at his phone and read aloud verbatim: “Utrecht head coach Eric Ten Hag has been arrested by Dutch police; detention period is estimated at three and a half days, hahaha!”

“These reporters never do anything useful.”

De Jong scoffed—he too was laughing at the news.

Utrecht was now the most talked-about team in the Eredivisie.

Of course, “most talked-about” didn’t mean title contender—it meant viral sensation!

“Utrecht!”

Thud! Thud!

“Utrecht!”

Thud! Thud!

The bus entered the Johan Cruijff Arena; away fans were already waiting outside.

Ten Hag rolled down the window and saw the signs held by the away fans.

【Ten Hag, Great!】

Ten Hag smiled—the moment was captured by reporters on site.

Through the bus window, Ten Hag’s smile looked strange.

Wait—why does Ten Hag’s smile give the impression he’s already decided to make a self-sacrifice?

No…

Not possible?

…

Two and a half hours before kickoff, with the starting lineup still unrevealed, Ten Hag walked alone to the stadium’s press room.

Click!

Click-click-click!

“Eric, Eric, will you put Tang on the field?”

“Eric, the FA’s appeal had no effect—what do you think about that?”

The reporters on site were excited.

Ten Hag waved his hand, and the reporters immediately fell silent.

“One at a time, no need to rush, no need to rush. The gentleman with glasses—yes, you, thank you!”

The lucky glasses-wearing reporter stood up and faced Ten Hag: “Eric, will you put Tang on the field today?”

“Yes, and as a starter.”

“Woww!!!”

The reporters on site began to cheer; the glasses-wearing reporter quickly pressed: “We know that by the 30th minute of this match, it will already be 10 p.m.—under these conditions, will you still keep Tang on the field?”

“Hmm… I think so.”

“Wowoww!!!”

Click!

Click-click!

The reporters on site could no longer sit still—they snapped photos nonstop at Ten Hag’s face; the overlapping flashes left him unable to open his eyes for a long time.

Gripping the microphone cord, Ten Hag explained: “I must admit Tang’s importance to our team. Against a strong opponent like Ajax, I must start Tang and keep him on for the full match—even if I risk severe punishment, I believe it’s worth it.”

“Woww!!”

All reporters below the stage stood up; thunderous applause filled the press room of the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Seeing this, Ten Hag smiled.

In fact, he had originally not planned to include Tang Ye on the matchday squad—but as he saw the public interest grow, he changed his mind.

He intended for Tang Ye to play—and to play the full match!

Only a victory achieved through sacrifice can witness the birth of a hero!

…

(End of Chapter)