Chapter 98: We Appear to Have 34 Players, But We Actually Have 35. Divine Weapon Descends!

May 10, this was the U21 Dutch Championship Cup match between Utrecht II and Ajax II.

The U21 Dutch Championship Cup usually has no pre-match interviews, but since today was the final, head coach Melent came onto the pitch.

“Melent, today you face Ajax II in top form—do you think your chances of winning are high?”

“I think they’re pretty high.”

Melent nodded: “Although Ajax II has outstanding players, so do we. In my view, our odds of winning are even higher than Ajax’s.”

“Wow.”

The reporter was surprised by Melent’s answer.

Huh, according to the reporter’s memory, Utrecht II’s head coach Melent was supposed to be a low-key guy.

Could it be…

“Has Ten Hag influenced you?”

“Teng Hake? Oh, Eric has strong tactical ideas—he taught me a lot. Today, I’ll use the tactics Teng Hake taught me and win this match.”

It really was Teng Hake’s influence!

“Can you specify exactly what tactics you learned from Teng Hake?”

The reporter handed the microphone to Melent, who politely leaned in: “Fans generally think our second team has 34 players, but that’s not true—we have 35 people.”

Huh?

…

Dongqiu Di: U21 Dutch Championship Cup, Utrecht II vs Ajax II, Tang Ye leads Utrecht II’s starting lineup.

This sudden news jolted Chinese fans awake in the middle of the night while they were browsing Dongqiu Di.

【What’s going on? Second team? Did I misread?】

【Wait, what’s Tang Wang doing? No match, so he just joins the second team to play?】

【Tears streaming—holy crap, a workhorse!】

【So all those first-team matches of Tang Ye were just my dreams? Is he really just a second-team player…】

【???】

【Hahaha, I get it—Utrecht II held back a secret: Tang Ye registered for this tournament.】

【Ajax II’s head coach: Dude, really? Is this necessary?】

Today’s match was Utrecht II’s home game; as a starter, Tang Ye walked out behind Zaka.

“Tom!”

“Tom!”

The Utrecht fans in the stands were now excited.

Utrecht II tickets cost only 15 euros; most fans came to watch the second team hoping to support the first team.

And they ended up paying 15 euros to see a first-team star.

Can you imagine the expressions on both teams’ fans when Tang Ye’s name appeared on the second-team roster three hours ago?

The camera panned to Melent standing in front of the home bench; now Melent imitated Teng Hake’s posture, hands in his pockets, chewing gum he’d taken from Tang Ye.

Originally, Melent faced enormous pressure against Ajax II.

But now things had changed.

Melent could feel Teng Hake was watching from above.

The savior of Utrecht’s first team had arrived at the second team—and brought his strongest tactics with him!

Instantly, his confidence surged!

“Remember to pass to Tom!”

Melent gave a reminder, then sat down on a bench on the sideline.

The match began at the same moment!

Utrecht II, who kicked off first, launched a rapid attack against Ajax II.

A first-team native playing for the second team naturally held high tactical importance.

A defender seized the chance and passed directly to Tang Ye’s feet.

Perfect!

Tang Ye was pleased.

This was probably the earliest ball touch he’d had in any match this season.

“Go, go, you go, I’ll take this!”

The U21-level opponents applied less pressure, so Tang Ye felt almost no stress.

He immediately looked left.

Bam!

【De Bruyne curved through-pass Lv3: Simulation】

Proficiency: 288/400

It was a fast ground-long pass, slicing through half of Ajax II’s defensive line and rolling straight to Zaka’s feet.

Huh?

Zaka’s eyes lit up—he accelerated and curled a shot into the far corner.

Goal!

Utrecht II opened the scoring!

“Wuhu!”

Zaka started running toward the corner flag to celebrate, then remembered Tang Ye had set up the breakaway.

He quickly turned and sprinted toward Tang Ye.

But Tang Ye’s face showed no smile.

【At 38, you pretended to be 17 and illegally entered a U21 competition】

【Falsifying age—you earned 0 Reverse Points】

Damn it!

Tang Ye hadn’t expected he wouldn’t earn Reverse Points playing in the second team!

Thinking of it made him shudder.

If Teng Hake hadn’t brought him to the first team, Tang Ye might never have realized his system could do so much!

…

Not long after kickoff, the stadium screen displayed the goal’s stats.

1’ Zaka

Dongqiu Di Live Report: In the 1st minute, Tang Ye created a one-on-one chance, assisting the striker to score—Utrecht II leads 1-0!

【Hahaha, who can find a livestream? Holy crap, Tang Wang is bullying the minors now.】

【Damn it, any brothers have a website? Drop me a link.】

【I’m impressed—I remember last season some streamers covered the Dutch second division, but Tang Ye never played, so they stopped.】

【One-year term expired—Tang Wang returns to the second team!】

The match continued; after scoring first, Utrecht II didn’t defend—they became even more aggressive.

“Pass to Tom, quick, give it to Tom!”

Zaka kept shouting up front.

Though he was a striker, that didn’t stop Zaka from telling his teammates the correct tactics.

Utrecht’s first team won the Dutch Cup and the Eredivisie title using this exact tactic.

If the second team used it too, wouldn’t they just slaughter everyone?

Boom!

Dongqiu Di Live Report: In the 21st minute, Tang Ye cut inside from the left and curled a shot into the corner—score 2-0.

Dongqiu Di Live Report: In the 28th minute, Ajax II’s striker fired from the arc and pulled one back—score 2-1.

Dongqiu Di Live Report: In the 37th minute, Tang Ye delivered a 45-degree cross; the striker controlled it and calmly slotted home—score 3-1.

“Yaaaah—!!”

Zaka spread his arms and sprinted toward Tang Ye at full speed to celebrate.

A brace—and against Ajax II!

Ajax II now sensed something was wrong; several midfielders began marking Tang Ye specifically.

Before halftime, Tang Ye was fouled directly in the center circle.

The opponents were playing dirty, but it didn’t matter.

Tang Ye faced relentless pressing from first-team strikers every match in the Eredivisie.

These U21 strikers were infinitely weaker than those in the Eredivisie!

Soon, halftime arrived; players gathered in the locker room.

Melent summarized the team’s first-half mistakes, while Tang Ye shared his gum with Zaka.

“Not enough, not enough!” Melent paced in the center of the locker room: “I don’t know what some of you are thinking—can’t you even pass the ball properly?”

“I’ve said it many times: pass that damn ball to Tom. Can you understand? If you don’t, I won’t mind benching you.”

Bam!

Melent slammed his fist hard onto the tactics board: “Our biggest problem in the first half? Tang Ye’s touches were too few—far too few!”

Last year, I told you all that Tom is a playmaking midfielder—you need to pass to him more. Do you understand? Pass to him more!

Gurgling gurgling!

Tang Ye chewed gum while drinking water.

A cool sensation entered his throat, and Tang Ye felt a small surge of emotion.

Finally, someone recognized him as a playmaking midfielder!

The second half began; the players walked from the locker room to the tunnel.

At that moment, Tang Ye asked Zaka a question: “Do you want a hat-trick?”

!

“Huh? What?”

Zaka didn’t catch on.

“A hat-trick—scoring three goals in one match.”

Tang Ye held up three fingers.

“I know, I obviously know what that is.”

Zaka was speechless.

He was at least a semi-professional player—how could he not know what a hat-trick was?

But then he realized.

“Tang, you mean…”

“You can move up a bit. You already have two goals—I’ll see if I can pass you one more.”

Tang Ye said, then suddenly remembered something and leaned close to Zaka’s ear: “Don’t tell anyone!”

Tang Ye remembered Ale and Barazite—those two always came to chat with him before every match.

“Tang, you can count on me!”

Zaka straightened his body.

He faintly felt a force flowing into his body through the crown of his head.

This was power infusion!

From Utrecht’s first-team!

The second half began; after losing possession, Tang Ye immediately pressed and delivered a decisive through pass to Zaka’s feet.

Zaka gently nudged it in, completing the hat-trick.

“Clap clap clap!”

Marent sat on the bench, applauding the hardworking second-team players.

He wasn’t a head coach who usually sat during matches, but he did so anyway.

Because Ten Hag liked to sit when leading, Marent wanted to absorb Ten Hag’s power—he had to follow Ten Hag’s example.

The full match ended; Utrecht’s second team won 5–1 against Ajax’s second team.

【At 38, you lied about being 17 and illegally won the U21 championship】

【You gained 0 Reverse Points】

He earned not a single Reverse Point after the match.

But at least he’d helped his second-team friends win.

“Tom!!”

Zaka and captain Trupe hugged Tang Ye tightly.

Compared to the Dutch Cup ceremony, the U21 championship awarding was far more modest—but what mattered wasn’t the ceremony, it was the trophy in Trupe’s hands.

“Come on, come on! Mr. Marent, over here!”

Trupe called Marent to the center of the team; the reporters were ready.

“Tang!”

Zaka placed his hand on Tang Ye’s shoulder; Tang Ye understood and placed his hand on Zaka’s shoulder, the two embracing tightly.

Click!

Click click click!

……

After the match, the away fans were furious at Utrecht’s maneuver, with some holding up signs reading “Cheating” and “Violation.”

Clearly, Ajax fans were furious at Marent for suddenly bringing in an outsider.

At that moment, the Royal Dutch Football Association issued a statement.

Royal Dutch Football Association: Utrecht’s second team defeated Ajax’s second team 5–1, winning the 2015–2016 U21 Dutch Championship Cup. Player #99 Yetang (U19) was named MVP of the final.

“Yes, exactly—this isn’t about bringing in an outsider at all.”

Marent spoke confidently to reporters, exuding a touch of Ten Hag’s aura.

“The FA has clearly listed Tang’s status: he’s a U19 player. U19 players competing in U21 matches is an age-grade challenge.”

Marent sat in a chair, facing football reporters who had come from across the Netherlands.

“You know Tang is an exceptionally talented player, so we let him compete in the U21 league. I know the U21 level is extremely difficult for him, but he was willing to accept the challenge.”

Marent’s words left the reporters stunned.

But upon closer thought…

Today’s match was indeed a U21 competition, and Tang Ye was a U19 player.

A U19 player competing in a U21 match—isn’t that exactly an age-grade challenge?

Bullying weaker teams?

How could it be bullying!

Tang Ye was facing opponents much older than him—he was under tremendous pressure!

After hearing Marent’s words, the reporters frowned, their expressions thoughtful.

On the surface, it sounded absurd—but upon reflection, there was no flaw.

Marent’s words gave the reporters a familiar feeling.

No!

These were exactly the words Ten Hag had prepared for Marent!

At the same moment, Ajax’s second-team head coach Stam was being interviewed on the pitch.

“You lost to Utrecht’s second team, Stam, yet you were favored to win. Fans generally believed Ajax’s second team was stronger than Utrecht’s.”

“But we lost.”

Stam’s expression was grim.

This season, Ajax’s second team had already lost their chance at the Eerste Divisie title; they thought the U21 Cup was a sure win—until Utrecht pulled off a surprise move and crushed them.

“Utrecht’s second team brought in a player from their first team. Since he’s under a youth contract, he’s eligible to play for the second team. Did you know about this beforehand?”

“Damn it, how could I possibly know!”

Stam wasn’t a patient man: “We never saw Tang all season—who knew he was even on Utrecht’s second team? Damn it, I should’ve checked the FA’s player list before the match! Damn it!”

“Football is an 11-man game. Some fans think Tang’s contribution wasn’t enough to turn the match—why did you lose?”

“To hell with those fans.”

Stam cut off the reporter.

“Our first team couldn’t beat him. You’re asking me why we lost? Do I want to lose? Our opponent brought in power that doesn’t belong to this competition—this kind of thing would get you banned in a video game.”

……

(End of Chapter)