Chapter 900: Goodwin, Don

June 21.

Dalian Tuna Bay Stadium.

【Asian Cup Round of 16: China vs Australia】

「Wei Shihao! Hmm, a bit unfortunate.」

「But China’s overall advantage is still quite significant.」

「With a 2:0 lead, as long as Australia doesn’t score in the next thirty minutes, China will directly advance to the quarterfinals. And due to the bracket structure, if China wins, they’ll become the first team to reach the quarterfinals.」

As hosts, China has played with remarkable strength in this Asian Cup—so far, they’ve drawn only once against Uzbekistan and won every other match, a momentum that has carried straight into today’s Round of 16 against Australia.

And today, China will defeat Australia and keep their winning streak alive!

【Here it comes! They’re warming up!】

【Holy shit, is this Goodwin? I checked—he’s only worth a million euros, and you guys are calling him a billionaire? Is that appropriate?】

【Sit down!】

【Goodwin, don’t mess around this time! This match is crucial for us!】

「Australia’s substitution.」

「Goodwin comes on for Fornaroli!」

「Hmm, Australia’s substitution—they’re clearly preparing for a final desperate push!」

Fans could sense the commentator was holding back laughter.

Goodwin is indeed strong, but his gambling aura is banned on CCTV5.

「Goodwin, don’t save me!」

「Goodwin, get off!」

The home fans at Tuna Bay seemed a bit anxious.

Goodwin is Australia’s star player, often scoring decisive goals in the final moments to rescue fans who’ve already climbed onto the roof.

But!

Today, Goodwin’s opponent is China!

When playing China, you absolutely must not create any miracles!

「Come on!」

Goodwin handed a note to Bax, then focused entirely on Tang Ye before him, as if readying himself for the challenge.

Australia’s performance in this Asian Cup hasn’t been terrible, but this year, with China as host, it’s still tough to take down the home team.

「Liu Yang, moving fast—he’s driving forward!」

「Even with a two-goal lead, China shows no intention of easing their offensive intensity!」

「They won’t give the opponent any chance!」

After dribbling dozens of meters, Liu Yang immediately passed toward the center.

The ball went to Zhang Xizhe!

Zhang Xizhe controlled the ball, looked for Tang Ye’s position—but Tang Ye was surrounded by defenders, leaving no passing lane.

Hmm, familiar feeling!

「Give it to me!」

Wei Shihao raised his hand for the ball; Zhang Xizhe paused, then passed back.

Pah!

The ball landed at Gao Tianyi’s feet!

Lofted!

Gao Tianyi tried to chip it into the box, but Zhang Yuning failed to head it; Australia cleared it away.

「Damn, give it to me!」

Wei Shihao and Zhang Xizhe shrugged: 「I asked for it—I was in a great position!」

「Mine, mine.」

Zhang Xizhe signaled; soon, Escrivá’s voice came from outside.

「Slow down, slow down! Don’t rush! Take it easy!」

China’s head coach made a downward motion with both hands—he was drenched in sweat.

Escrivá always gives the impression he’s more nervous than the players on the field…

「China!」

「Come on!」

「China!」

「Come on!」

「Long live China!」

In the front row of the stands sat a shirtless Northeastern uncle, his chest reading 「China Will Win」 and his back tattooed with 「Loyal to the Nation」.

He looked over seventy, yet his passion was undimmed.

「Dai Weijun…」

「Corner kick taken!」

「Tang Ye, near post!」

「Just smash it!」

「Goal!」

「Goal!」

「Tang Ye scores!」

「3:0!」

Near the 80th minute of the second half, Tang Ye netted his second goal of the match.

「Hah!」

After jogging a few steps along the baseline, Tang Ye high-fived Dai Weijun: 「Awesome, awesome.」

「Tang Ye, he’s playing on a different level.」

「Hah. Playing on a different level is exactly right—we say players like Tang Ye must dominate the Asian Cup like this.」

Against Syria in the group stage, Tang Ye scored only one goal—and ended with a 6.0 rating on Tiger Forum, the lowest on the team.

Even if you’re the man of the match, Chinese fans don’t care.

You’re GG-Bao—any game with fewer than two goals means you’re slacking!

Slacking only earns you a 6.0—barely passing!

「Suta’s long pass was a bit off-target.」

「But Zhang Linpeng made a mistake!」

「Hey!」

「To Goodwin!」

「Goodwin!」

「Goal for Goodwin!」

「3:1!」

「Australia scored!」

「…」

After Goodwin’s goal, Tang Ye gave him a thumbs-up from afar—a gesture that puzzled the Australian players.

But a few minutes later, they understood what Tang Ye’s thumbs-up meant.

「Oh!!!」

「Amazing, holy shit!」

「Amazing, Tang Ye!」

At the baseline, Tang Ye executed a Cruyff turn, shielding against Biiqi as he cut inside.

The ball kept brushing the goal line, but Tang Ye controlled it perfectly—each time it hovered on the line, never crossing out.

Defenders in the box stood ready; Tang Ye feinted, stopped abruptly, then fired a zero-degree shot with his heel.

Boom!

4:1!

「…」

Matthew Ryan stood on the goal line.

He now understood what Tang Ye’s thumbs-up meant.