Chapitre 143: 2004 Toyota Intercontinental Cup
Yang Yang initially believed he would have no fans in Japan, thinking that Japanese audiences generally dismissed Chinese football.
However, when Ajax landed at Tokyo's Narita Airport after a long-haul flight, Yang Yang was astonished by the reception. A sizable crowd of Japanese fans had gathered at the terminal, many dressed in Ajax jerseys with the number 11—his number—clearly displayed. Banners welcoming Yang Yang adorned the arrival area, and as soon as Ajax players appeared, the crowd erupted in excitement, swarming toward them, their attention firmly fixed on Yang Yang.
The Toyota Cup was taking place in East Asia, and as the reigning Champions League champions, Ajax had garnered significant interest. Yang Yang, Ajax's only Asian player, had recently earned the prestigious European Golden Boy Award, recognizing him as one of the brightest talents under 21. His sensational winning goal in the Champions League final six months prior, combined with his stellar performance in the Asian Cup, had already boosted his profile across Asia. As a result, his popularity had eclipsed that of many celebrated players from South Korea and Japan.
Though the Ajax squad was visibly weary after the long journey, Yang Yang, still brimming with energy, gladly obliged the autograph and photo requests of his Japanese supporters. In the crowd, he soon spotted a familiar face: Wei Zhen, a Chinese journalist who had traveled to cover the tournament.
After managing to weave through the throng of fans and press, Wei Zhen finally reached him, appearing somewhat disheveled.
"Brother Wei, I'm so sorry—I didn't expect so many fans here in Japan," Yang Yang said with a grin.
Wei Zhen shrugged, looking slightly exasperated. "Well, they admire excellence," he replied with a wry smile.
Yang Yang chuckled, raising an eyebrow. Am I seen as a top player here? The thought was both amusing and gratifying.
Wei Zhen went on, "This is the final Toyota Cup, and while it doesn't hold the same global clout, it's followed closely at home. Many Chinese fans are attending, and the TV station assigned me to cover every part of it."
Yang Yang nodded. "That's great. Let's coordinate—tomorrow I'll talk to the team, and we can set up the interview."
"Sounds good. Just let me know when," Wei Zhen replied, his expression brightening.
After parting with Wei Zhen, Yang Yang was once again encircled by enthusiastic Japanese fans, many of whom were young women eagerly reaching out, calling his name, hoping to get close to him.
The sheer enthusiasm from the fans left Yang Yang feeling slightly self-conscious but appreciative. Thankfully, the airport staff and security had anticipated the excitement, quickly clearing a path and escorting him toward a waiting bus stationed at the entrance.
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"Hey, Yang, didn't you say Japan was your football nemesis?" Heitinga asked with a smirk.
Yang Yang turned, grinning. "Yeah, that's right. Why?"
"Then why do they like you so much?"
Yang Yang laughed, recalling Wei Zhen's words. "They admire strength," he replied with a knowing smile.
"Strength? Really?" Heitinga's face lit up with mock disbelief. "Are we talking about you?"
With that, Ajax's captain unzipped his jacket, revealing his well-defined chest and abs, sculpted from hours in the gym. He flexed playfully in Yang Yang's direction, prompting laughter from the rest of the team.
Yang Yang nodded, suppressing a chuckle. "I mean, it's true; you're in top form." He gestured admiringly.
But as Heitinga basked in the moment, Yang Yang added with a playful shrug, "Still, when it comes to fans, they're often drawn to either strength… or looks. Since I can't be stronger than you, maybe they're drawn to something else…"
Before Yang Yang could finish, Heitinga quickly zipped his jacket back up. "No, no, no—you're definitely strong enough!"
Laughter erupted throughout the bus as Heitinga waved off Yang Yang's teasing, conceding with a grin. In a choice between strength and charm, Heitinga knew his answer.
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For Ajax, the Toyota Cup didn't hold the same prestige as their domestic and European competitions. This year's opponent was Once Caldas, the underdog champions of the Copa Libertadores from Colombia. Despite their title, the Colombian team didn't present a significant threat, and Ajax expected that with a bit of focus and routine play, they could secure the win comfortably.
Yet what truly caught Ajax by surprise was Yang Yang's growing popularity in Japan. The warm welcome at Narita Airport was one thing; having a packed training ground the next day in Yokohama, filled with excited fans and a host of journalists, was another. It was clear that much of the crowd was there for Yang Yang.
Even Yang Yang himself seemed taken aback by the enthusiasm. After a light recovery session, the team arranged a brief fan interaction for Yang Yang, along with Sneijder and Maxwell. The club even made an exception by allowing Yang Yang to conduct interviews with several media outlets. The reporters represented not only Japan but also several Chinese and Korean networks, eager to capture his thoughts.
At this point, Yang Yang had achieved a level of fame few Asian players abroad had reached. His Champions League-winning goal and recent European Golden Boy Award had marked him as one of the brightest young talents in football, a first for an Asian player on such a prominent European stage.
Yang Yang spoke modestly to the press, emphasizing that he viewed these achievements as just the beginning of his career. "It's all encouragement for me," he said, downplaying his success.
Ajax had experienced some struggles earlier in the season, but Yang Yang expressed confidence that they would recover in the latter half. He promised fans he would work hard to maintain peak form and help Ajax improve their standing.
A Japanese reporter then shifted the topic to the recent AFC World Cup qualifiers draw. Yang Yang was asked to comment on China's placement in what was already being called the "Group of Death." Following China's victory over Kuwait, the national team had successfully advanced to the final round. According to the draw, South Korea and Japan held the top seeds due to their performance in the 2002 World Cup, while China and Saudi Arabia occupied the second tier. Iran and Uzbekistan made up the third, with Bahrain and North Korea in the fourth.
Given the stakes, every team hoped to avoid Iran, a powerhouse in Asian football. Yet with only two groups, one led by Japan and the other by South Korea, someone would inevitably end up facing Iran. The final draw placed China in Japan's group, alongside Iran and North Korea, instantly sparking headlines about a "death group."
Wei Zhen had relayed the news to Yang Yang as soon as it was announced, and Yang Yang had been pragmatic about the tough placement.
"This draw isn't favorable," he told the reporters. "We're up against some of Asia's strongest teams, and North Korea is competitive too. It's a challenging situation."
Then, displaying his calm determination, Yang Yang added, "But we're prepared to face any challenge. We've already played Japan and Iran in the Asian Cup, and I believe we have what it takes to win, as long as we're united in effort and spirit."
When a Japanese journalist asked him to predict the group's outcome, Yang Yang replied diplomatically, "I hope we'll see China, Japan, and Iran all reaching the World Cup." His answer was met with warm applause from the crowd, recognizing his tact and optimism.
However, one Japanese reporter shifted the tone by bringing up the Asian Cup final incident, where Yang Yang had protested an alleged handball. The question, clearly aimed at challenging him, caused a tense pause.
Yang Yang's smile faded slightly. "I stand by my view—it was a deliberate handball," he said firmly. "I understand that players defended their team's interests then, but I'm surprised to see some still resisting clear facts. We should be able to acknowledge the truth now."
The directness of his response left the reporter momentarily flustered, creating an awkward silence. Unfazed, Yang Yang politely wrapped up, thanked the fans and media, and excused himself. The other journalists exchanged looks, visibly unimpressed by their colleague's attempt to provoke Yang Yang.
As Yang Yang left, the atmosphere lightened again, with fans cheering his name. And as for the confrontational reporter, he quietly slipped away under the disapproving glances of his peers, having gained little from the exchange.
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On the third night of Ajax's arrival in Yokohama, under the bright lights of Yokohama Stadium—the very venue that hosted the 2002 World Cup Final—the 2004 Toyota Intercontinental Cup officially kicked off. Nearly 60,000 fans filled the stands, eagerly awaiting the showdown between Ajax and the Colombian champions, Once Caldas.
The Colombian side approached the game pragmatically, setting up in a defensive stance with hopes of capitalizing on counterattacks. Once Caldas had arrived in Japan early, spending over two weeks training and acclimating to ensure peak readiness for the match. They faced Ajax with fresh legs and a meticulously prepared game plan.
In contrast, Ajax was dealing with the aftereffects of a demanding season. The Dutch team had just played a match four days prior, resulting in considerable physical fatigue from both travel and back-to-back games. Manager Ronald Koeman was well aware of the physical disadvantage and stressed the need to press for an early lead to avoid a prolonged struggle.
From the opening whistle, Ajax seized control, launching a series of quick and aggressive attacks to unsettle Once Caldas. Only four minutes in, Yang Yang delivered a precise cross from the right flank, finding Charisteas, who rose above the defense to head the ball toward goal. The shot struck the crossbar with a resounding thud, sending a wave of relief through the Colombian ranks but signaling Ajax's intent.
Ajax continued to press. Moments later, Maicon sprinted down the right side and whipped in another dangerous cross, which Wesley Sonck met with a powerful volley. Yet, once again, the ball clanged off the post, bouncing out for a goal kick. Despite the near-misses, Ajax's relentless attacks began to unsettle Once Caldas, who realized they were in for a challenging night.
When it seemed luck might not be on Ajax's side, Yang Yang stepped up. Working in tandem with Charisteas, he outmaneuvered the central defender, positioning himself perfectly to receive a diagonal pass from the left. With precision and composure, he controlled the ball, sidestepped a closing defender, and unleashed a left-footed volley that sailed past the goalkeeper, breaking the deadlock and igniting the Ajax supporters.
The early goal forced Once Caldas out of their defensive shell. In the second half, they pressed higher, searching for an equalizer. However, Ajax, while weary, shifted to a controlled counter-attacking approach, aware that the Colombians were beginning to tire.
In the 64th minute, Ajax executed a swift counterattack. Yang Yang, showing remarkable agility, danced past two defenders with a series of step-overs and delivered a perfectly timed cross to the left side. Sonck was there once again, this time making no mistake as he slotted the ball into the net, doubling Ajax's lead to 2-0.
With the two-goal cushion, Ajax managed the game with composure, keeping Once Caldas at bay. The match concluded with a 2-0 victory for Ajax, securing their triumph in the 2004 Toyota Intercontinental Cup.
Yang Yang's stellar performance, with a goal and an assist, earned him the Man of the Match award. As a fitting reward, he was presented with a Toyota car, a mark of his skill and influence on the field that evening.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
GxDesailly
GxDesailly Hey everyone! This week, I'll be releasing only 4 chapters instead of the usual 10, as I’ve been working on my other stories, Green Field Ascension and The Making of Football King.
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
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Power Stone 
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