Chapter 96: Old Countryman Meets Old Countryman—Sorry, Old Countryman!

It was May, and Utrecht’s first team resumed training.

But before today’s training, Ten Hag called the players into a meeting.

Currently, Utrecht leads PSV Eindhoven, who are in second place, by three points.

With two games left and a three-point advantage, Utrecht’s league title seems secure.

But it isn’t.

Eindhoven has a staggering 55 goal difference, and when points are tied, rankings are decided by goal difference.

That means if Utrecht loses one of the next two games and Eindhoven wins both, Utrecht will lose their top spot.

The pressure is immense!

“So why do they have so many goal difference?”

On the pitch, Tang Ye voiced his confusion.

“It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter.”

Ten Hag waved his hand: “What matters is we win the next two games. Do you understand? Two wins, and our title is safe!”

Eredivisie champion!

Just hearing it made Tang Ye excited—he started rubbing his hands unconsciously.

If he really won the Eredivisie title, his ultimate template would finally make sense.

The superstar and legend templates were already insane.

Tang Ye truly wanted to know what this so-called ultimate template actually included!

…

It was the day of the match against Vitesse. Utrecht’s players boarded a bus to Arnhem, Vitesse’s home ground.

“Tang Ye?”

In the player tunnel, just as Tang Ye was about to enter the locker room, he was called out.

He turned and saw a man with an Asian face.

“Oh, I remember you! I remember you, Zhang, Zhang…”

Meeting a fellow countryman thrilled him, but Tang Ye couldn’t recall the man’s name.

“It’s Zhang Yuning, hahaha!”

Zhang Yuning hugged Tang Ye. He stood about 1.82 meters tall—slightly taller than Tang Ye.

But both were still growing.

“Damn, I know you! I’ve seen you on Dongqiu Di!”

Tang Ye said. It was a habit he’d formed back home—checking Dongqiu Di whenever he had free time.

He knew another Chinese player was in the Eredivisie, but he’d never met him until now.

“I played against Vitesse before. Were you here then?”

Tang Ye suddenly remembered—it was the end of the season, and by the league format, Utrecht must have already played Vitesse once.

“I was promoted from the U19 team in February,” Zhang Yuning explained. “By the way, where are you from?”

“Foshan. You?”

Tang Ye blinked. His hometown also had people with the surname Zhang—he just didn’t know if Zhang Yuning…

Tang Ye blinked his eyes; back home, there were also people with the surname Zhang, but he didn’t know if Zhang Yuning…

“Wenzhou? Damn! There’s a Wenzhou restaurant right by my training base. Too bad you didn’t come to Utrecht.”

“Wenzhou, damn, there’s a Wenzhou restaurant right next to my base—too bad, you should’ve come to Utrecht too.”

Tang Ye smiled. “Yeah, yeah! I eat there all the time—wonton, sweet and sour pork ribs… basically everything you can eat back in China.”

“Hahaha, great! But right now I’m not in the mood to eat.”

Zhang Yuning’s expression turned serious. “I still need to fight for a starting spot. But Tang Ye, you’re insane—Eredivisie Cup champion! I watched your games on TV.”

Zhang Yuning’s expression suddenly turned serious: “I still need to figure out how to get a starting spot. But Tang Ye, you’re fucking amazing—Dutch Cup champion, I watched your games on TV.”

Two Chinese players, one 17, one 18, had endless topics. Too bad Zhang Yuning didn’t play games—if he had, Tang Ye could’ve chatted with him until the final whistle.

Two Chinese players, one 17, one 18—there was no shortage of topics. Too bad Zhang Yuning didn’t play many games; otherwise, Tang Ye could’ve talked with him until the final whistle.

Ten Hag called out.

“I gotta go, bro. Add me on WeChat after the match!”

Tang Ye clapped Zhang Yuning on the shoulder and hurried to catch up with the team.

Tang Ye clapped Zhang Yuning on his broad shoulder, then hurried to catch up with the team.

Ramselaar pointed at Zhang Yuning, who was waving behind them.

“Not just Asian—he’s from the same country.”

Tang Ye replied, pulling out his phone to check Zhang Yuning’s info on Dongqiu Di.

“Wow, he’s only one year older than me—one year and two months.”

“But his muscles are way bigger than yours, Tom. You’re too skinny.”

Ramselaar grabbed Tang Ye’s arm firmly.

Ramselaar gripped Tang Ye’s arm hard.

“Brothers, welcome back! This is Eredivisie Matchday 33: Utrecht away against Vitesse!”

“Just a reminder—this is Utrecht’s final two matches of the season. If you want to earn coins, hurry up!”

“The match has started. Tang the King is still starting. I’d like to introduce Vitesse’s starting lineup, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”

【Got it, streamer can’t pronounce names】

“It’s not about not knowing names. The surprise is on Vitesse’s bench—you’ll see in a minute.”

Wang Chao waited for the camera cut.

Around the 12th minute, the camera zoomed to Vitesse’s bench—Zhang Yuning sat there in a yellow vest.

After about twelve minutes of play, the camera cut to Vitesse’s bench, where Zhang Yuning, in a yellow vest, sat on the chair.

【Awesome, who is this?】

“It’s Zhang Yuning! Like Tang Ye, he was promoted from the youth team. But sadly, he’s still a substitute. I wonder if Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning will face off today!”

Dongqiu Di live report: Matchday 33, Vitesse vs Utrecht—Fellow Countrymen Showdown.

Dongqiu Di pinned post: Foshan vs Wenzhou—Chinese Civil War in the Eredivisie!

Zhang Yuning’s presence boosted the match’s popularity in China even further.

Fans now hoped Zhang Yuning would get on the pitch—even some had climbed ladders to leave comments on Vitesse’s official website asking to buy his jersey.

Tang Ye might leave next season, so this might be the last chance for a Chinese-versus-Chinese clash in the Eredivisie.

Tang Ye might leave next season, so this was probably the last chance for a Chinese player derby in the Eredivisie.

“Ramselaar!”

“Long ball straight to Barazite!”

“Barazite passes sideways!”

“To Aale!”

“Aale lays it back to Tang Ye!”

“Tang Ye—should he shoot?”

“Tang Ye chooses caution—how’s he handling it?”

“To Josten!”

“Goal!”

“It’s the… 23rd minute!”

“23rd minute: Utrecht takes the lead!”

The home fans on the stands chattered among themselves.

Though they’d conceded, they didn’t look devastated.

The league standings were nearly settled by season’s end—Vitesse had already secured survival. The result of this match meant little to them.

Another reason: their opponent was Utrecht!

This season, Utrecht had seemed mysteriously strong—even Ajax, Feyenoord, and Eindhoven had all struggled against them.

Facing such an unstoppable Utrecht, Vitesse fans didn’t really expect to win.

Facing Utrecht’s incredible form, Vitesse fans didn’t really expect to win.

“Tang Ye, drive forward!”

“Find Aale!”

“…”

“Wow! Goal! 2-0!”

“Although Tang Ye’s chip shot was saved by the keeper, Klebe reacted fast—it’s a rebound!”

“Although Tang Ye’s chip shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Klebe reacted quickly—it’s a rebound!”

“Brothers, I feel Utrecht has this match locked up!”

【Vitesse is getting crushed】

【Awesome! Tang the King didn’t get an assist on that one—what a shame!】

【Joke! Tang the King is already the Eredivisie’s assist king—he doesn’t even need to farm stats!】

"Haha, I, Tang the King of Football, am already the assist king of the Eredivisie—I wouldn’t even bother chasing stats!"

When will Zhang Yuning come on? Aren’t there enough jerseys bought by the fans?

Probably all went to Putian to buy them—Vitesse didn’t see a cent.

The first half’s flow nearly tilted entirely toward Utrecht.

Vitesse was never a team strong in defensive backline recovery; Tang Ye’s through balls were too difficult for Vitesse’s players to handle.

At halftime, Utrecht entered the locker room with a two-goal advantage.

In the second half, Ten Hag made no substitutions—he only needed the same players and tactics from the first half to dominate the opposition.

But Vitesse was different; now they were the trailing side and needed to adapt.

In the 61st minute, the Chinese fans’ long-awaited moment arrived.

Vitesse’s head coach made a central striker substitution: No. 43, Zhang Yuning, came on!

“Hm”

Tang Ye saw Zhang Yuning sprinting onto the pitch; it was set-piece defense time, so Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning slapped hands.

Slap!

“Vitesse’s set piece is taken!”

“...”

“Utrecht won a counterattack from the set piece—Nakamba pulled De Jong down!”

It was originally Vitesse’s set piece, but Utrecht turned it into a counterattack—and earned a set piece of their own.

The Eredivisie’s pace was still fast; only about two minutes passed between the two front-line free kicks.

“You want it?”

Ramseyer asked Tang Ye directly, who stood behind the white line, observing.

The position was too wide; a direct shot was impossible.

But if it were a cross...

This position was perfect!

“I’ll take it!”

Tang Ye took the ball from Ramseyer’s hands.

Slap!

Using Ward-Prowse’s topspin technique, the ball flew directly into the penalty area.

Tang Ye overdid the topspin, causing the ball to drift slightly off-target.

It was meant for Ale, but ended up in front of De Jong.

“Shoot it now!”

Tang Ye shouted loudly.

!!!

Slap!

De Jong unleashed a flying volley.

The angle was average, but the ball’s speed was fast enough—goalkeeper Rüm couldn’t even begin his save motion.

“GOOOO——AAAAAAA——LLLLL!!!”

“De Jong’s volley! Beautiful! Goal!”

“Another assist from Tang Ye!”

De Jong sprinted toward Tang Ye in excitement.

It was his first goal in the Eredivisie.

His first goal was a volley!

“Beautiful, Frank!”

Utrecht’s players embraced each other in celebration, in sharp contrast to Vitesse’s players.

Zhang Yuning and Solanke, the two strikers, stood with hands on hips, expressions resigned.

Last month they got crushed by PSV, and today they got crushed again by Utrecht!

By the 70th minute, Utrecht led 3-0.

“I feel Vitesse’s tactics have been completely overrun by Utrecht—they have no idea how to mark Ale and Barazite.”

“Hmm, Ten Hag really is brilliant—look at this...”

“Hey, De Jong messed up—he just scored a miraculous goal, what’s going on with you, De Jong?”

“Vitesse has a great attacking chance—Solanke drives forward!”

“Fast pace—De Jong tries a tactical foul but fails!”

“Combine with Nakamba on the flank!”

A simple, rapid one-two: Solanke took the ball and sprinted toward Utrecht’s left penalty area.

Tang Ye sprinted back to defend.

He couldn’t mark Solanke directly from his position, but Tang Ye had his own target.

Zhang Yuning!

Tang Ye ran while watching Zhang Yuning’s movements.

This guy’s offensive intent was too obvious—so obvious even Tang Ye, his opponent, knew exactly what he planned.

“Here!”

Zhang Yuning reached out for the ball; Tang Ye accelerated at the same moment.

Slap!

Solanke pressed the defense and delivered a low cross!

Zhang Yuning controlled the ball!

Oh?

Sorry, fellow countryman!

Thud!

Tang Ye lunged decisively, tackling both ball and man, sending Zhang Yuning flying.

“Awesome, haha! Tang the King, just tackled Zhang Yuning right before his shot!”

“Who says I’m bad at defense? Look at the slow-mo—Tang Ye’s tackle was clean!”

The ball, kicked away by Tang Ye, bounced back to Solanke, who, clearly frustrated, blasted a shot straight into the stands.

“You okay, Ning-ge?”

Tang Ye extended his right hand to Zhang Yuning, who grabbed it.

“Dude, you’re seriously ruthless!”

Zhang Yuning was frustrated—if Tang Ye hadn’t tackled him, he’d have had a clear shot!

But Zhang Yuning hadn’t even noticed Tang Ye coming!

“Sorry, sorry.”

Tang Ye patted Zhang Yuning’s shoulder; the latter shook his body and quickly reset his focus.

He’d barely started as a starter—if he could score now, maybe his chances at Vitesse would open up!

Five minutes after Tang Ye’s tackle on Zhang Yuning, Utrecht’s three forwards dribbled and passed in the attacking third.

The old problem returned: the forwards still couldn’t find a shooting opportunity.

“Let me in, let me in!”

Tang Ye sprinted forward eagerly—only to be knocked down by the returning Nakamba.

The referee didn’t blow the whistle.

Utrecht had advantage!

Damn it!

Tang Ye got up, pretended to run right; when Nakamba shifted his weight, he suddenly accelerated left.

“Inside!”

Tang Ye pointed to the penalty area.

Barazite now had the ball—if he could pass it in, Tang Ye would get a one-on-one with the goalkeeper!

Just see if Barazite can get the ball through!

Slap!

Through ball!

Barazite’s through pass slipped between two Vitesse defenders.

Got it!

Tang Ye knew he absolutely couldn’t stop the ball now.

Honestly, he wasn’t even sure he could control it cleanly at this moment.

The logic was clear.

Shoot directly!

“GOOOOOO——AAAAAA——LLLLLLL!!!”

Tang Ye scored with a direct, no-touch shot.

Honestly, the angle of that shot was pretty good!

"Hah!"

Tang Ye sprinted toward the corner flagpole and once again displayed his sliding tackle with three stripes to the fans in the stands.

"Phew..."

Zhang Yuning exhaled deeply.

Shouldn't this fellow countryman be a midfielder?

(End of Chapter)