Chapitre 59: Costly Defeat
Amsterdam Arena, Evening of January 24, 2004
As the match entered the 60th minute with the score locked at 0-0, Ronald Koeman decided it was time for a tactical shift. Yang Yang, donning the number 99 jersey, prepared to step onto the pitch once more, awaiting the substitution signal at the sideline.
The crowd erupted into warm applause as they recognized the young talent who had quickly become a fan favorite.
"Ronald Koeman can't hold back any longer; he's making a substitution," the commentator remarked.
"Meanwhile, in another match currently underway, PSV have already secured a 2-0 lead by halftime."
"Yang Yang, with his number 99 jersey, is poised to replace Victor Sikora on the right flank."
"This 17-year-old prodigy has been Ajax's biggest revelation in the first half of the season. His late-game substitutions have repeatedly turned the tide, earning him the admiration of Ajax supporters. Many believe he can deliver yet another game-changing performance tonight."
"But this time, Yang Yang faces a formidable opponent in Jeffrey Leiwakabessy, Nijmegen's left-back and a former key player for the Dutch youth national team. Leiwakabessy has consistently impressed over the past two seasons, and we're in for an exciting duel on the wings."
Sure enough, Yang Yang came on to replace Victor Sikora, marking Ajax's first substitution of the match. The commentator continued, "Let's see if Koeman's substitution pays off."
Following the substitution, Wesley Sonck shifted to the left, forming a dynamic attacking trio with Yang Yang on the right. In the midfield, the creative talents of Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder were complemented by the experienced Tomas Galásek. John O'Brien slotted in at left-back, while Julien Escudé and Johnny Heitinga held the central defense. Nigel de Jong, initially deployed in midfield, was adjusted to the right-back position.
The commentator added, "Ajax's lineup has been somewhat disrupted, largely due to several key players participating in the African Cup of Nations. Additionally, injuries to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell have further compounded their issues. As a result, Koeman has been forced to field a less-than-ideal starting eleven, making this match against Nijmegen far more challenging than anticipated."
The atmosphere in the stadium was tense, as fans eagerly awaited to see if Yang Yang's introduction could inject some much-needed energy into the match.
"Let's see if Yang Yang can shift the momentum and tilt the game in Ajax's favor."
...
"Ajax has just successfully blocked a shot in their defensive third! De Jong and Galásek combined well to win back possession," the commentator announced.
"Galásek quickly handed it off to Sneijder, who scanned the pitch, eyes locking onto Yang Yang. Without hesitation, Sneijder unleashed a long, precise pass towards the young winger..."
The ball zipped across the field, landing perfectly at Yang Yang's feet. He controlled it expertly, immediately turning to face the Nijmegen defense as Ajax launched a counterattack.
"Let's see how Yang Yang handles this opportunity," the commentator continued.
Yang Yang sprinted down the left side of Nijmegen's defense, with Leiwakabessy quickly closing in, matching him stride for stride. The duel was set—Yang Yang against Leiwakabessy in a one-on-one showdown on the left flank.
Yang Yang came to an abrupt stop, the ball at his feet. He sized up Leiwakabessy, his body swaying subtly from left to right, testing the defender's resolve.
Leiwakabessy, an experienced player, wasn't easily deceived and stayed close to Yang Yang. But then, with a sudden burst of speed, Yang Yang nudged the ball forward, feigned a move to the inside with a step-over using his right foot, drawing Leiwakabessy towards him. Just as the defender committed, Yang Yang quickly performed another step-over with his left foot, this time pushing the ball outward and leaving Leiwakabessy trailing in his wake.
"Sublime! What a brilliant move!" the commentator exclaimed. "With those deft feints and step-overs, Yang Yang has left Leiwakabessy completely stranded."
Yang Yang burst free on the left flank and whipped a dangerous cross into the penalty area.
"Yang Yang's speed and skill have opened up the Nijmegen defense! His cross is perfectly placed, heading straight for Van der Vaart..."
The Nijmegen defense was in disarray, unable to react in time. Van der Vaart, with perfect timing, met the cross and directed it with his head towards Wesley Sonck. Sonck, with the composure of a seasoned striker, feigned a shot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way before calmly slotting the ball into the net.
"Goal!!!" the commentator roared.
"Gooooooooooal!!!!" echoed around the stadium.
"Sixty-three minutes! Sixty-three minutes on the clock!"
"Yang Yang, who had just come off the bench, orchestrated a devastating counterattack down the right. He dribbled into Nijmegen's final third and, after a dazzling piece of skill, delivered a precise cross to Van der Vaart. The Dutchman didn't give Nijmegen's defense a moment to breathe, heading the ball towards Wesley Sonck, who didn't disappoint, putting the ball in the back of the net."
"1-0, Ajax takes the lead!"
"It was a golden goal, brilliantly assisted by Van der Vaart and finished with style by Wesley Sonck. The Belgian showed incredible composure and a sharp sense of finishing, completely outfoxing the goalkeeper."
"We have to acknowledge that Yang Yang is indeed Ajax's lucky charm and Ronald Koeman's secret weapon."
"With his very first touch of the ball, Yang Yang sparked a dangerous counterattack with his skillful dribbling and precise crossing."
"This is the fifth consecutive game where Yang Yang has come off the bench to change the course of the match."
"It's almost unbelievable that he's only 17 years old. His understanding of the game and ability to execute the coach's tactical plans are exceptional, especially for someone so young."
"Perhaps Ronald Koeman should seriously consider starting Yang Yang. Since Van der Meyde left, Ajax has struggled to find a consistent performer on the right wing."
"But now, Yang Yang's emergence has solved that problem beautifully."
"The attacking trio of Wesley Sonck, Ibrahimovic, and Yang Yang, combined with the midfield creativity of Van der Vaart and Sneijder, makes Ajax's offense a force to be reckoned with."
...
...
"That's not part of our plan at this time," Ronald Koeman responded decisively.
Despite Wesley Sonck's crucial goal securing a 1-0 victory for Ajax over visiting Nijmegen, the focus of the post-match press conference quickly shifted to the potential of Yang Yang becoming a regular starter. When asked if he would consider starting the young talent, Koeman didn't hesitate.
"I'm aware that Yang Yang's recent performances have been exceptional. He's played a pivotal role in several matches, but let's remember that he's only 17 years old. It's far too early to consider him for a starting position."
Koeman continued, "Both I, the technical team, and the player himself agree that it's important for Yang Yang to gain experience in a more relaxed setting. Pushing him into a starting role too soon wouldn't be the right decision for his development."
This answer clearly didn't satisfy the gathered media, who were more interested in fueling the narrative of Yang Yang as a rising star rather than watching Ajax carefully nurture him.
"Mr. Koeman, we understand that Yang Yang isn't entirely satisfied with his current situation. His agent has expressed some reservations, and we've also heard that several other Eredivisie teams are interested in acquiring his services. What are your thoughts on this?" one reporter pressed.
Koeman was well aware that keeping certain matters under wraps is nearly impossible with the media. He responded calmly, "I've read the reports, but I don't believe they reflect the true situation. I've spoken with Yang Yang personally. He has tremendous faith in me and the coaching staff, and he believes that Ajax is the best place for his development. This is something we excel at, after all."
The reporter wasn't satisfied, continuing, "Can you give us an example?"
"We're committed to helping him build a solid foundation that will enable him to achieve greater success in the future," Koeman replied.
But the reporters weren't done yet. "We've heard there's an issue with his contract at Ajax. If he were to leave this summer, it's likely the transfer fee wouldn't be very high. Given his recent performances, there are clubs that would be willing to pay that fee and offer him a more lucrative contract."
It was clear that the reporters had done their homework. Yang Yang's current salary at Ajax was just 400 euros per week, which was not only the minimum for a first-team player but also below the average for some second-team players like Maduro and Lindgren, who earned nearly twice as much. Even Babel, after renewing his contract, saw his wages more than double Yang Yang's.
Of course, the reporters didn't mention Yang Yang's salary outright, but they were clearly attempting to stir up speculation about the possibility of him leaving, hoping to draw the attention of Ajax fans and boost their newspaper sales.
"I appreciate the media's concern," Koeman said, maintaining his composure. "But I want to assure you that Yang Yang's contract renewal is already on the club's agenda. Everything is progressing smoothly, and I believe we'll have an announcement soon. As for the rest, there's nothing more I can disclose at this moment."
At this point, Koeman's expression grew more serious. "However, I would like to take this opportunity to assure all Ajax fans and everyone who cares about this club—Yang Yang has no intention of leaving. He personally promised me that he's committed to staying at Ajax, and I believe him."
Despite Koeman's reassurances, it was clear that his words wouldn't be enough to quell the media's speculation.
"As far as we know, Mr. Koeman, Yang Yang parted ways with his former agent shortly after returning from winter training in Portugal. Does this indicate a shift in Ajax's plans to renew his contract?" another reporter asked.
"I'm sorry, but that pertains to his personal matters. What I can confirm is that he will remain with Ajax," Koeman stated firmly.
The reporter pressed on. "But there are rumors that his new agent has been in contact with other Eredivisie clubs. What's your take on that?"
"I won't respond to speculative questions," Koeman replied, signaling an end to the discussion.
...
...
The media's attempts to extract meaningful information from head coach Ronald Koeman proved fruitless, and it was equally difficult to get anything out of Ajax's technical director, Louis van Gaal.
In his media interviews, Van Gaal was firm in his stance, repeatedly assuring that Yang Yang would not be leaving De Toekomst.
"The contract renewal is already in progress, and everything is under our control," Van Gaal emphasized.
However, this did little to quell the ongoing speculation. The rumors continued to swirl, and many Ajax fans began contacting the club, urging them to ensure Yang Yang's stay at any cost.
A week later, Ajax traveled to face Heerenveen in the eighteenth round of the Eredivisie—a match that carried significant importance as the title race intensified. With the upcoming Dutch Cup match in mind, Ronald Koeman opted to rotate his lineup once again. Zlatan Ibrahimovic remained sidelined, but the return of left-back Maxwell provided a much-needed boost to the squad. Up front, Koeman fielded an attacking trio of Yannis Anastasiou, Daniel de Ridder, and Victor Sikora, hoping their combined efforts would secure a positive result.
Despite these adjustments, the match took a turn for the worse. Unexpectedly, Ajax conceded a goal before the end of the first half due to a defensive error. Desperate to turn the game around, they pushed forward aggressively after the break, only to be punished with two quick counterattacks, leading to two more goals.
By the time Yang Yang was brought on in the 75th minute, Ajax found themselves trailing by three goals.
In such a dire situation, even Yang Yang's best efforts couldn't lift the team's spirits. To make matters worse, in the 83rd minute, Heerenveen added another goal, making the scoreline 4-0.
Yang Yang, determined to leave his mark, managed to spark a late counterattack down the right flank. He made a brilliant breakthrough, sending a low cross into the penalty area. In the ensuing scramble, Heerenveen's center-back, Petter Hansson, inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net.
Despite Yang Yang's contribution, Ajax suffered a painful 1-4 defeat.
Meanwhile, rivals PSV Eindhoven thrashed Zwolle 5-1 at home, reducing the gap between the two teams in the league standings to just one point.
The relentless demands of competing in the Eredivisie, the KNVB Cup, and the UEFA Champions League were beginning to take their toll on Ajax. The team was struggling to maintain its focus and competitive edge across all three fronts.
Returning from the disappointing loss at Heerenveen only added to the pressure on Ronald Koeman and his squad, especially with their next match being a highly anticipated clash against their fierce rivals, Feyenoord.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
GxDesailly
GxDesailly I am changing the way I write when the commentator has spoken. You will see that from this chapter on, every time the commentator speaks, it will be in italics. Have a good day guys, l will try and publish another chapter before the end of the day.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone