Chapter 907

Japanese actress Takizawa Laura: loves watching football matches, is a Tottenham Hotspur fan; although the Chinese team is strong, she still hopes Japan wins this important final!

After South Korea tried to use Faker to curb Tang Ye, Japan has now begun its own maneuver.

Unlike the T1 Club, Takizawa Laura and Momoi Nuka came to watch the match of their own accord—they are genuine fans, no doubt.

A Japanese netizen posted on Instagram, urging the two actresses at the venue to go to the Chinese team’s locker room and create some disruption for Tang Ye.

There’s no choice—China’s raw strength is simply overwhelming; unless someone restrains Tang Ye, Japan has little hope.

“Actually, I’m also a fan of Mr. Tang—I’ve watched many Manchester United matches because of him.”

Momoi Nuka said.

“Will you cheer for TY today?”

“Of course not.”

Momoi Nuka leaned back, covering her mouth as she laughed: “I still hope Japan wins. Samurai Squad, Ganbatte!”

…

Baidu Hot Search No.1: Asian Cup Final China vs Japan.

No.2: China vs Japan.

No.3: Japan announces starting lineup.

No.4: Japanese actresses cheer for Tang Ye.

No.5: Can China win back-to-back Asian Cup titles?

“Ma Di!”

“What’s up?”

After the pre-match press conference, Escrivá hurriedly called Ma Di: “Have you checked Instagram? Fans are saying Japan might have some secret weapon targeting TY.”

“Huh? I didn’t know anything about it. Probably nothing to worry about. Feran, why are you checking Instagram again? You promised me you wouldn’t touch anything online before the match.”

“This is different—those Japanese are confident. They believe they can definitely take down Tom.”

Escrivá looked anxious: “There’s no time to investigate what it is—I’m heading back to the locker room. Quickly go online and find out. If there’s anything, tell me right away!”

“Oh, okay.”

Watching Escrivá’s retreating figure, Ma Di was swept up in the tension and quickly pulled out his phone to research.

Japan’s secret weapon?

Something that can truly affect Tom?

Who gave those Japanese their confidence?

Let’s see what it is!

“Time Stops, and the Genius Player Tang Ye Is at My Mercy?”

“My Favorite Player Is the Enemy of My Country—I’m Forced to Help Japan, Cruelly Tormenting My Own Beloved for the Sake of National Interest?”

“Tomorrow Is the Final Match—The Star of the Opposing Team Lies in My Bed, His Breathing Mesmerizing Me.”

“A Business Trip Turned Into a Sleepless Night with the King of Asia, Whom I See Only Once a Year—Addicted, I No Longer Want to Part.”

“...”

Ma Di took a deep breath.

Okay, it was his own fault—Feran wasn’t at fault.

To prevent any possible incident, this matter must be handled properly.

After deciding, Ma Di quickly found the Chinese national team’s manager: “Today there are two Japanese actresses—yeah, you know, those kinds of actresses—you need to pay attention. (Japanese)”

“Huh? Pay attention to what?”

“Make sure those two don’t come near our locker room. Keep them away from the player tunnel. Strengthen security around the tunnel.”

“That’s just fans talking online.”

The team manager chuckled: “They can’t possibly stop Tang Ye’s time, right?”

“It’s not about stopping time—just don’t let Feran get nervous.”

Ma Di pointed toward the locker room: “You know—he gets flustered, things go wrong.”

“Wow, I see. No problem—they won’t get near Escrivá. I’ll arrange it.”

…

“Come on, brothers! Push hard!”

Zhang Yuning clapped in the locker room, while Tang Ye, assisted by Wu Xi, put on the captain’s armband.

“Win this match and our national team’s mission this year is done—we must win back-to-back titles. We must!”

“We cannot lose at the Bird’s Nest!”

“Come on, come on!”

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

“Tang Ye, how many times have you played here?”

Wu Lei suddenly thought of this question and asked Tang Ye beside him.

“I don’t know.”

Tang Ye shook his head, seemingly uninterested: “Whether once or ten times—it’s the same. Doesn’t matter. Not crucial.”

“What’s crucial?”

“What’s crucial is that we’ll complete the back-to-back title under the eyes of tens of millions.”

“Hah!”

Wu Lei’s fighting spirit surged. Tang Ye placed his hand on the Chinese striker’s shoulder: “After this Asian Cup, our reputation on Douyin should turn completely around.”

“Is Douyin reputation that important?”

“Damn right it is—I scroll Douyin all the time, and Bilibili too.”

Tang Ye and Wu Lei bumped fists: “Enough talk. Let’s go, Lei Ge. For Douyin.”

…

“China Central Television! China Central Television! Good evening, viewers!”

“You’re watching live the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Final: China National Team vs Japan National Team!”

“The atmosphere here is fantastic. We can see both teams are fully prepared.”

“Japan and China met last year, but that was during the Asian qualifiers group stage—nothing compared to the scale of today’s Asian Cup final.”

“Indeed. Today, both sides will give their all—no one wants to be the runner-up.”

“Beeeeep!!!”

The match has begun!

Japan (4-1-4-1)

Goalkeeper: Sato Ayane

Defenders: Ito Yohki, Tomiyasu Takehiro, Itakura Koyo, Mabu Shingo

Midfielders: Maeda Daisuke, Morikawa Hidemasa, Endo Wataru, Kubo Takefusa, Doan Ritsu

Forward: Ueda Kise

Head Coach: Morioka Hajime

Though they made many bold statements before the match, Morioka’s actual lineup in the final was a single-striker formation.

Over the past few years, Japan had watched China’s rise with their own eyes—they knew this opponent intimately. In fact, Morioka had noticed Tang Ye as early as 2017; Japan is arguably one of the most familiar teams with the Chinese squad.

This single-striker formation today is clearly the result of Morioka’s careful planning—and the source of his confidence.

“China!”

“Go!”

“China!”

“Go!”

Shaking his head left and right, briefly taking in the scene, Morioka drew a deep breath.

He had long known the Bird’s Nest was a trap laid by China for Japan, so he had prepared his players days before the match.

But those preparations seemed insufficient—only by being there in person could you feel the overwhelming, dominating pressure of the Bird’s Nest and the Chinese fans.

Thinking of this, Morioka pulled out a small notebook and began writing with a ballpoint pen.

【Morioka-san, Japan, go!】

“You can see that right at the start of the match, Japan’s head coach has already begun taking notes.”

“Yes, Morioka is likely identifying weaknesses in his own team. From Japan’s first-half formation, it seems they plan to endure the first few minutes against China, wait to understand China’s intentions, then act.”

“Indeed, Japan’s bench depth is excellent—even players like Namba Takuma and Muroya Kaoru from the Premier League haven’t even come on yet!”

“Endo Wataru passes to Kubo Takefusa up front.”

“Zhang Xizhe tries to intercept, but it has no effect.”

“Kubo Takefusa!”

Before Tang Ye could close in, Kubo Takefusa played a through ball to the charging Doan Ritsu on the flank.