[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back":3,"chapter-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-96":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Football: At 16, Let Me Retire and Come Back?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2300066,4499,"Chapter 96: Old Countryman Meets Old Countryman—Sorry, Old Countryman!","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-96",96,"\u003Cp>It was May, and Utrecht’s first team resumed training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before today’s training, Ten Hag called the players into a meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, Utrecht leads PSV Eindhoven, who are in second place, by three points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With two games left and a three-point advantage, Utrecht’s league title seems secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it isn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eindhoven has a staggering 55 goal difference, and when points are tied, rankings are decided by goal difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means if Utrecht loses one of the next two games and Eindhoven wins both, Utrecht will lose their top spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure is immense!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So why do they have so many goal difference?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the pitch, Tang Ye voiced his confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hag waved his hand: “What matters is we win the next two games. Do you understand? Two wins, and our title is safe!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eredivisie champion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just hearing it made Tang Ye excited—he started rubbing his hands unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he really won the Eredivisie title, his ultimate template would finally make sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The superstar and legend templates were already insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye truly wanted to know what this so-called ultimate template actually included!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the day of the match against Vitesse. Utrecht’s players boarded a bus to Arnhem, Vitesse’s home ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang Ye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the player tunnel, just as Tang Ye was about to enter the locker room, he was called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and saw a man with an Asian face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I remember you! I remember you, Zhang, Zhang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting a fellow countryman thrilled him, but Tang Ye couldn’t recall the man’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Zhang Yuning, hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning hugged Tang Ye. He stood about 1.82 meters tall—slightly taller than Tang Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But both were still growing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, I know you! I’ve seen you on Dongqiu Di!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye said. It was a habit he’d formed back home—checking Dongqiu Di whenever he had free time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew another Chinese player was in the Eredivisie, but he’d never met him until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I played against Vitesse before. Were you here then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye suddenly remembered—it was the end of the season, and by the league format, Utrecht must have already played Vitesse once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was promoted from the U19 team in February,” Zhang Yuning explained. “By the way, where are you from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foshan. You?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye blinked. His hometown also had people with the surname Zhang—he just didn’t know if Zhang Yuning…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye blinked his eyes; back home, there were also people with the surname Zhang, but he didn’t know if Zhang Yuning…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wenzhou? Damn! There’s a Wenzhou restaurant right by my training base. Too bad you didn’t come to Utrecht.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wenzhou, damn, there’s a Wenzhou restaurant right next to my base—too bad, you should’ve come to Utrecht too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, great! But right now I’m not in the mood to eat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten Hag called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I gotta go, bro. Add me on WeChat after the match!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye clapped Zhang Yuning on the shoulder and hurried to catch up with the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye clapped Zhang Yuning on his broad shoulder, then hurried to catch up with the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramselaar pointed at Zhang Yuning, who was waving behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not just Asian—he’s from the same country.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye replied, pulling out his phone to check Zhang Yuning’s info on Dongqiu Di.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, he’s only one year older than me—one year and two months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But his muscles are way bigger than yours, Tom. You’re too skinny.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramselaar grabbed Tang Ye’s arm firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramselaar gripped Tang Ye’s arm hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brothers, welcome back! This is Eredivisie Matchday 33: Utrecht away against Vitesse!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a reminder—this is Utrecht’s final two matches of the season. If you want to earn coins, hurry up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Got it, streamer can’t pronounce names】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not about not knowing names. The surprise is on Vitesse’s bench—you’ll see in a minute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Chao waited for the camera cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the 12th minute, the camera zoomed to Vitesse’s bench—Zhang Yuning sat there in a yellow vest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After about twelve minutes of play, the camera cut to Vitesse’s bench, where Zhang Yuning, in a yellow vest, sat on the chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Awesome, who is this?】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongqiu Di live report: Matchday 33, Vitesse vs Utrecht—Fellow Countrymen Showdown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dongqiu Di pinned post: Foshan vs Wenzhou—Chinese Civil War in the Eredivisie!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning’s presence boosted the match’s popularity in China even further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye might leave next season, so this might be the last chance for a Chinese-versus-Chinese clash in the Eredivisie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye might leave next season, so this was probably the last chance for a Chinese player derby in the Eredivisie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ramselaar!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long ball straight to Barazite!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Barazite passes sideways!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To Aale!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aale lays it back to Tang Ye!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang Ye—should he shoot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang Ye chooses caution—how’s he handling it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To Josten!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Goal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s the… 23rd minute!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“23rd minute: Utrecht takes the lead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The home fans on the stands chattered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they’d conceded, they didn’t look devastated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The league standings were nearly settled by season’s end—Vitesse had already secured survival. The result of this match meant little to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another reason: their opponent was Utrecht!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This season, Utrecht had seemed mysteriously strong—even Ajax, Feyenoord, and Eindhoven had all struggled against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing such an unstoppable Utrecht, Vitesse fans didn’t really expect to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Utrecht’s incredible form, Vitesse fans didn’t really expect to win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang Ye, drive forward!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Find Aale!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow! Goal! 2-0!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although Tang Ye’s chip shot was saved by the keeper, Klebe reacted fast—it’s a rebound!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although Tang Ye’s chip shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Klebe reacted quickly—it’s a rebound!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brothers, I feel Utrecht has this match locked up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Vitesse is getting crushed】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Awesome! Tang the King didn’t get an assist on that one—what a shame!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Joke! Tang the King is already the Eredivisie’s assist king—he doesn’t even need to farm stats!】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, I, Tang the King of Football, am already the assist king of the Eredivisie—I wouldn’t even bother chasing stats!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When will Zhang Yuning come on? Aren’t there enough jerseys bought by the fans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably all went to Putian to buy them—Vitesse didn’t see a cent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first half’s flow nearly tilted entirely toward Utrecht.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vitesse was never a team strong in defensive backline recovery; Tang Ye’s through balls were too difficult for Vitesse’s players to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At halftime, Utrecht entered the locker room with a two-goal advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Vitesse was different; now they were the trailing side and needed to adapt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 61st minute, the Chinese fans’ long-awaited moment arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vitesse’s head coach made a central striker substitution: No. 43, Zhang Yuning, came on!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye saw Zhang Yuning sprinting onto the pitch; it was set-piece defense time, so Tang Ye and Zhang Yuning slapped hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vitesse’s set piece is taken!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Utrecht won a counterattack from the set piece—Nakamba pulled De Jong down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was originally Vitesse’s set piece, but Utrecht turned it into a counterattack—and earned a set piece of their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eredivisie’s pace was still fast; only about two minutes passed between the two front-line free kicks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramseyer asked Tang Ye directly, who stood behind the white line, observing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The position was too wide; a direct shot was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if it were a cross...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This position was perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye took the ball from Ramseyer’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using Ward-Prowse’s topspin technique, the ball flew directly into the penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye overdid the topspin, causing the ball to drift slightly off-target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was meant for Ale, but ended up in front of De Jong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shoot it now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye shouted loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Jong unleashed a flying volley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The angle was average, but the ball’s speed was fast enough—goalkeeper Rüm couldn’t even begin his save motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“GOOOO——AAAAAAA——LLLLL!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“De Jong’s volley! Beautiful! Goal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another assist from Tang Ye!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>De Jong sprinted toward Tang Ye in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was his first goal in the Eredivisie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first goal was a volley!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beautiful, Frank!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utrecht’s players embraced each other in celebration, in sharp contrast to Vitesse’s players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning and Solanke, the two strikers, stood with hands on hips, expressions resigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last month they got crushed by PSV, and today they got crushed again by Utrecht!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the 70th minute, Utrecht led 3-0.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I feel Vitesse’s tactics have been completely overrun by Utrecht—they have no idea how to mark Ale and Barazite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, Ten Hag really is brilliant—look at this...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, De Jong messed up—he just scored a miraculous goal, what’s going on with you, De Jong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vitesse has a great attacking chance—Solanke drives forward!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fast pace—De Jong tries a tactical foul but fails!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Combine with Nakamba on the flank!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A simple, rapid one-two: Solanke took the ball and sprinted toward Utrecht’s left penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye sprinted back to defend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t mark Solanke directly from his position, but Tang Ye had his own target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye ran while watching Zhang Yuning’s movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy’s offensive intent was too obvious—so obvious even Tang Ye, his opponent, knew exactly what he planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning reached out for the ball; Tang Ye accelerated at the same moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solanke pressed the defense and delivered a low cross!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning controlled the ball!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, fellow countryman!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye lunged decisively, tackling both ball and man, sending Zhang Yuning flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Awesome, haha! Tang the King, just tackled Zhang Yuning right before his shot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who says I’m bad at defense? Look at the slow-mo—Tang Ye’s tackle was clean!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball, kicked away by Tang Ye, bounced back to Solanke, who, clearly frustrated, blasted a shot straight into the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You okay, Ning-ge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye extended his right hand to Zhang Yuning, who grabbed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dude, you’re seriously ruthless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning was frustrated—if Tang Ye hadn’t tackled him, he’d have had a clear shot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Yuning hadn’t even noticed Tang Ye coming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry, sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye patted Zhang Yuning’s shoulder; the latter shook his body and quickly reset his focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d barely started as a starter—if he could score now, maybe his chances at Vitesse would open up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five minutes after Tang Ye’s tackle on Zhang Yuning, Utrecht’s three forwards dribbled and passed in the attacking third.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old problem returned: the forwards still couldn’t find a shooting opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me in, let me in!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye sprinted forward eagerly—only to be knocked down by the returning Nakamba.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The referee didn’t blow the whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utrecht had advantage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye got up, pretended to run right; when Nakamba shifted his weight, he suddenly accelerated left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Inside!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye pointed to the penalty area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barazite now had the ball—if he could pass it in, Tang Ye would get a one-on-one with the goalkeeper!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just see if Barazite can get the ball through!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through ball!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barazite’s through pass slipped between two Vitesse defenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Got it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye knew he absolutely couldn’t stop the ball now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, he wasn’t even sure he could control it cleanly at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The logic was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shoot directly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“GOOOOOO——AAAAAA——LLLLLLL!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye scored with a direct, no-touch shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, the angle of that shot was pretty good!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Ye sprinted toward the corner flagpole and once again displayed his sliding tackle with three stripes to the fans in the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yuning exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouldn't this fellow countryman be a midfielder?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2145,"2026-06-20T06:50:08.245Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1e1bee3d8f15183d84d82a7dc3ebbcc58e904c84406522c82b0853875ba24f4d","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-97","football-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-chapter-95",918,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffootball-at-16-let-me-retire-and-come-back-cover.jpg"]