Chapter 905: The Passport of a Professional Athlete Is a Book Filled with Regrets

“Ah...”

Dai Weijun needed some time to think.

“But, Ye Ge, I’ve already been playing in the CSL; if I leave, there’s a transfer fee.”

“They’ll pay the transfer fee.”

Tang Ye shrugged.

The euro-to-renminbi exchange rate was high; even if Dai Weijun’s CSL club demanded five million yuan, it would amount to just over sixty thousand euros for Utrecht—no real issue at all.

“Don’t worry, just focus on playing—I’ll find someone to negotiate with the club for you.”

Tang Ye gave Dai Weijun a calming shot.

“This... is awesome.”

Realizing the man before him wasn’t joking, Dai Weijun’s heartbeat quickened: “Then... I’ll give it a try.”

“Nice, King Tang.”

Zhang Yuning sat beside him: “Now we’ve got another European player.”

Tang Ye raised an eyebrow at Zhang Yuning: “What about you, Ning Ge? Want to try another league?”

“I’m going to Manchester United to win the Champions League again!”

“OK, then go to Manchester United!”

“Hahaha!”

Tang Ye answered quickly—they were just joking, of course.

Borussia Dortmund was already a huge challenge for Zhang Yuning now; if he couldn’t even get playing time there as a substitute, he had no reason to dream of playing for Manchester United.

Tang Ye bumped fists with Dai Weijun, then stood and raised his right hand: “Dai Weijun is heading to the Eredivisie.”

“Who else has a dream?”

Japan’s head coach Moriyasu Hajime: This year will be the closest I’ve ever come to winning the Asian Cup as national team coach—we must succeed, with no room for retreat. The world will see the courage of the Japanese.

Moriyasu was being arrogant again.

But there was nothing to be done—Japan’s draw was excellent; tucked safely in the lower half, they had completely avoided China, Iran, and Qatar, the continent’s powerhouses, almost guaranteeing a spot in the final.

Moriyasu had full faith in his players, because Japan would concentrate all their energy on the final match against China.

They would defeat China and reclaim the title of “Light of Asia!”

Of course, all this assumed China could defeat Iran—that was the biggest underdog of this Asian Cup.

Sources: The General Administration of Sport summoned Escrivà, asking how likely China was to win the Asian Cup.

“The reason for the General Administration’s meeting with China’s head coach remains unclear, but it may relate to the final venue.”

“If China has a higher probability of defeating their final opponent and winning the title, the final venue may be temporarily changed from the Workers’ Stadium to the Bird’s Nest.”

【Play at the Bird’s Nest? But I already bought my ticket—what now?】

【Tickets aren’t the issue, though—e-tickets can be changed anytime. The real question is what Escrivà will say. I feel he’s too conservative and won’t promise a sure win.】

【Move to the Bird’s Nest? That means more seats! When do new tickets go on sale? I’m ready!】

【Smart people already bought high-speed rail tickets the moment the news broke—get the rail tickets first; 12306 refunds are easy, worry about the match ticket later.】

【Escrivà will probably say he has no confidence, then the plan falls apart and everyone starts refunding. You should go watch Japan’s games—they’ve crushed the entire lower half.】

Fans believed Escrivà wouldn’t make any promises in front of the Sports Bureau officials—and Escrivà’s actions proved them right.

But considering China’s remarkable performance at last year’s World Cup in Qatar, the Sports Bureau officials decided to ignore Escrivà’s advice.

They refused to miss this chance to let China win the Asian Cup at the Bird’s Nest!

AFC Official: Due to a drainage system failure at the Workers’ Stadium requiring emergency repairs, the Asian Cup final venue may be moved to the National Stadium (Bird’s Nest).

Why “may”? Because China hasn’t officially qualified for the final yet—what if Iran pulls off an upset?

If they do, we obviously can’t play at the Bird’s Nest—we’ll just say the Workers’ Stadium is fixed!

Match Preview: Asian Cup Semifinal: China vs. Iran—World Cup underdog meets Asian Cup underdog; Tang Ye chases the all-time Asian Cup assist record.

Qingdao, Shandong, Youth Stadium.

Weather forecasts predicted heavy rain today, but no rain had fallen yet—no one knew if it would hold off until the final whistle.

Interestingly, Chinese fans outside the stadium had arranged a Bagua formation to summon rain, chanting incantations, begging for the downpour to begin.

Rain would certainly hurt football, but for China, it was actually good news.

Everyone knew that since beginning his career at sixteen, Tang Ye had remained undefeated in every rain match over seven years.

The King is the Rain God!

“China Central Television!”

“The match has begun! Let me introduce the starting lineups for both teams...”

Iran (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Beren Vand

Defenders: Rezaian, Pouraliganji, Hossein-Kanani, Mirad-Mohammad

Midfielders: Ibrahimim, Dejagah, Hajsafi

Forwards: Jahanbakhsh, Azmoun, Amiri

Head Coach: Queiroz

The camera panned to the stands—GG Bao’s father, FF Bao, stood below the VIP box, holding a China team banner.

【WIN!】

“...”

“Zhang Xizhe, shoot from distance!”

“Whoa—Beren Vand made a timely save!”

“Too bad it didn’t go in, but look—only twelve minutes in, and China has already taken four shots.”

“Yes, although Iran wasn’t on China’s original radar, China has always been a team skilled at handling emergencies.”

“...”

Jahanbakhsh received a pass from his teammate, evaded Zhang Xizhe, and looked to push forward.

But Fernando’s recovery was swift—he tackled the Iranian forward just as he started his run.

Yellow card: Fernando (CHN).

“Watch out!”

Escrivà paced anxiously on the sideline.

With just two matches left to win the title, Escrivà wouldn’t allow any mishaps.

“Watch their wide attacks! Wide attacks are key!”

Escrivà knew exactly what underdog teams excelled at, and he had emphasized this to his players.

Real-time report: Azmoun headed the ball into Wang Dalei, who collapsed immediately.

“Damn!”

Tang Ye shoved Azmoun aside and, with Zhu Chenjie, checked on Wang Dalei.

Blood streamed continuously from around Wang Dalei’s eye socket—no one could tell if it came from his eye.

“Hss...”

Tang Ye swiftly assessed the situation and signaled to the bench. The team doctor rushed onto the pitch; Yan Junling also began changing his shirt.

Real-time report: Iranian center forward shown yellow for head-butt; Wang Dalei leaves with facial bleeding; Yan Junling subbed on.

“Boo!!!”

“Asshole, is a header meant to hit people?”

“Fuck you! Idiot!”

“...”

Slap! Slap!

Wu Lei and Zhang Linpeng combined on the flank; Wu Lei received the ball and immediately passed to Hao Junmin.

Hao Junmin held his position to deal with the defense, while Wu Lei used his exceptional movement.

Thud!

Hao Junmin played a through ball; Wu Lei sprinted into view from off-camera and easily collected the pass.

“Look!”

Mirad prepared for one-on-one defense, but Wu Lei denied him the chance—he cut inside and delivered a cross instead.

The cross reached the penalty area.

Zhang Yuning initially moved to receive and shoot, but noticed Tang Ye in a better position—he opted to screen and block instead.

Tang Ye made his run!

Smack!

“Goal!”

“Goal!”

“Tang Ye scores!”

“Beautiful!”

"1:0!"

"China is leading!"

"..."