章 129: Chapter 129
The flight from Kuala Lumpur touched down smoothly at Capital Airport.
As the China National Youth Team disembarked, a crowd of eager fans and media swarmed the arrival gates. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, with many fans carrying flowers and gifts to welcome the young champions back home.
After a 20-year gap, China had finally won the Asian Youth Championship again, and the fans didn't hold back in showering the team with praise and applause.
Yang Yang, who had been named the tournament's best player and Golden Boot winner, naturally became the center of attention. Fans and reporters alike clamored to get a word from him. While Yang Yang was gracious and engaging with the fans, politely signing autographs and thanking them for their support, his demeanor toward the media was noticeably colder. This sharp contrast didn't go unnoticed and left many reporters at the scene feeling snubbed.
It wasn't just Yang Yang who showed restraint with the press. The rest of the China National Youth Team mirrored his approach, refusing to answer any questions from the media. The chilly reception frustrated many of the reporters, with some visibly annoyed by the lack of cooperation.
Team Leader Zhu and the head coach quickly stepped in to defuse the situation. They explained that the team had issued strict orders: no player was allowed to give private interviews. The last thing they wanted was to give the media fuel to misinterpret their words or fabricate stories.
The coaches understood the risks all too well. Today, they were champions, but if the media caught a whiff of anything that could be spun negatively, the players could easily be painted as arrogant or ungrateful. Worse still, should any of them have a poor performance later on, the media would latch onto it and criticize them even more harshly.
Reputations in football, especially for young players, could be built up quickly—but tearing them down was even easier.
Yang Yang had already arranged his next steps. He had asked Wei Zhen to book him a flight back to Amsterdam for the following day. He still had to pack up his belongings tonight, and like the other National Youth players, he was eager to return to his club.
After parting ways with his teammates at the airport, Yang Yang stepped outside and made a quick call. Not long after, Wei Zhen and his brother, Wei Zheng, arrived to pick him up.
As soon as Yang Yang got into the car, Wei Zhen filled him in on the latest news. "The senior national team has already left for Kuwait. They flew out this morning with KLM. Since there aren't any direct flights from here, they had to go through Amsterdam first."
Yang Yang frowned slightly. It was an unavoidable complication, given the circumstances.
"By the way, did the national team book a ticket for you?" Wei Zhen asked with concern.
Yang Yang shook his head. "I spoke with Arie Haan and Team Leader Zhu last night. They told me to stay ready here in Beijing."
"The Football Association has been in chaos lately. League teams are on strike, and some clubs are in full revolt. They're barely keeping it together. Honestly, they're struggling to manage anything, let alone organizing national team logistics."
Wei Zhen shook his head in frustration. "What a mess!"
Yang Yang couldn't help but smile wryly. "It seems like football associations everywhere come under fire, but ours does seem to take it to another level."
The situation at home was particularly troubling. In other countries, professional leagues operated more independently, with a clear structure. The revolution in English football had seen clubs like Manchester United and others challenge the FA, resulting in the formation of the Premier League. But here, the Football Association still held too much control.
Yang Yang had no interest in getting involved in the politics of it all.
Wei Zheng, who was driving, chimed in at that moment. "By the way, I've heard some rumors going around."
"Oh? What kind of rumors?" Yang Yang asked, intrigued.
"Earlier, a well-known domestic media outlet got in touch with me," Wei Zheng began. "They shared some inside information. Apparently, there's someone high up in the Football Association who's not too happy with you."
"Dissatisfied?" Wei Zhen frowned, puzzled. "Why would they be unhappy? After winning both the Asian Cup and the Asian Youth Championship, what could they possibly be upset about?"
"It's all about money in the end," Wei Zheng replied with a knowing smirk.
Yang Yang and Wei Zhen exchanged glances.
"After the Asian Cup, you landed a massive contract with Nike in Europe—three million euros per year. That's nearly 30 million RMB. And with your rising popularity back home, I've had conversations with some big domestic brands and enterprises. They're willing to offer you endorsement deals worth more than 10 million RMB annually. And that's with strict criteria. If we were to loosen those requirements, the offers could easily double or even triple."
Wei Zheng chuckled, shaking his head. "You can imagine how tempting that is. But here's the kicker—the Football Association can't touch any of it. Since you're not one of their registered players, they have no control over you, and it's driving them crazy."
"You think the Football Association is trying to put pressure on Yang Yang because of this?" Wei Zhen asked.
"There are people in the Football Association who genuinely care about football, but there are others who see this as an opportunity to exert control. They're frustrated they can't get a piece of the pie."
Wei Zhen turned to Yang Yang, concerned. But Yang Yang remained calm, his expression unchanged.
"I don't take what the domestic media says too seriously," Yang Yang said, his tone measured. "And you shouldn't get too involved either. As for the Football Association, they can do whatever they want. They shouldn't expect me to back down, though. If they want a fight, I'll be ready."
"Your public statement in Guangzhou was a smart move," Wei Zheng added. "You put the ball in their court. If they want to escalate this, it's on them."
Wei Zhen nodded in agreement. "I don't think the Football Association will make any rash moves. This is too important a time. The only issue is their incompetence in handling situations like this."
"How's the national team holding up?" Yang Yang asked.
"I was with them before," Wei Zhen replied. "Some of the core players told me that after winning the Asian Cup, the team became overly confident. It was obvious during the match against Malaysia. Combine that with Hao Dong's poor form up front, and the team's attack has been seriously lacking."
Yang Yang nodded thoughtfully. "That kind of instability is typical of a young, inexperienced team."
"It's not just that," Wei Zhen continued. "The entire domestic league is in turmoil, and it's affecting the senior national team too. There's been some tension between Arie Haan and the Chinese coaching staff, and the media has blown it out of proportion. Plus, there are conflicts between the coach and several players. Remember during the Asian Cup, there were reports about Sun Jihai's father criticizing Arie Haan, calling him a 'paper tiger.' That only fueled the instability within the squad."
"Zheng Zhi is suspended for the next match, and Arie Haan is really concerned about it. He even flew to Belgium to personally convince Li Weifeng to return, but just days later, the media dropped that bombshell about Arie Haan being involved in a money-laundering scandal..."
Wei Zhen sighed deeply, shaking his head.
Yang Yang furrowed his brow. The situation sounded like an absolute mess.
"I know Arie Haan," Yang Yang said after a moment. "There's no way he's involved in money laundering. He's strict, but he's got coaching talent. He has a clear tactical vision and is trying to implement a modern style of football. His plan is to rebuild the team starting from the defense, then work through the midfield, and finally the attack. His goal is to complete this transformation before the World Cup."
This was something Arie Haan had mentioned to Yang Yang during one of their conversations. At the time, they were discussing which position would suit Yang Yang best, and Yang Yang made it clear that he was willing to follow the coaching staff's decisions without question.
Wei Zhen nodded thoughtfully. "Looking at the current situation of the national team, the squad's age structure is actually quite balanced. The defense and midfield have both been tested in the Asian Cup, but the issue lies with the attack. I'm sure Arie Haan has realized how critical this upcoming game is. That's why he went to such lengths to bring Li Weifeng back and even made a special trip to the Football Association, pushing for your inclusion in the team."
"Still," Wei Zhen continued, "the Asian Cup victory has clouded some people's judgment. A lot of players on the team have become overconfident, and even the domestic media and certain figures within the Football Association are starting to lose sight of reality. This feels all too familiar—just like when we qualified for the World Cup."
Yang Yang could only smile wryly in response. He knew he could control his own performance, but managing the mentality of others was beyond him.
There's no such thing as perfection in football—or in life, for that matter. Every tactic, every player, every coach comes with a mix of strengths and weaknesses. There will always be moments of brilliance, but mistakes are inevitable as well.
Whether you're choosing a coach or a player, you're selecting their strengths—but you also have to accept their flaws. You can't say, "I only want your good qualities; fix your weaknesses for me." That's not how reality works.
Yang Yang had his own dreams, of course. He dreamed of having the power of Vieri, the first touch of Bergkamp, the dribbling of Maradona, and the finishing of Van Basten. But he knew that wasn't possible. If you have Vieri's imposing physique, you're naturally going to miss out on Maradona's low center of gravity and nimble dribbling.
"I don't want to get involved in all these politics," Yang Yang said firmly. "My stance is clear—if they call me up, I'll go and play. I'm not doing it for the Football Association or for anyone else. I'm doing it because it's an honor to represent my country."
As for everything else, Yang Yang had already made up his mind. Once the game was over, he would return to Europe and leave the chaos of domestic football behind.
...
...
When Yang Yang arrived at Wei Zhen's house, he found that Su Wenhong and his family were already waiting for him.
It was the weekend, so there was no work or school to worry about, and they had decided to stay in for the day. Though they had only been apart for a couple of weeks, the family greeted Yang Yang with the usual warm hospitality. Su Yu quickly handed over several items for Yang Yang to autograph, explaining that they were for her classmates and she couldn't say no to them.
"These newspapers have been plastering your face everywhere lately," Su Yu said with an exaggerated sigh. "Now my classmates really believe I'm your sister."
Yang Yang laughed and responded playfully, "Well, you are. How could they be wrong?"
He sat down and signed each autograph, making sure Su Yu wouldn't lose face with her classmates.
"Yang Yang, are you heading to Kuwait this time?" Su Wenhong asked with a tone of concern.
Yang Yang shook his head. "I'm going, but I haven't booked the flight yet."
"What is the Football Association doing?" Su Wenhong shook his head, clearly frustrated. "It's a long trip, and time's running out. Why haven't they sorted it yet? A lot of fans are asking about you. They'd feel a lot more confident if you were there. Without you, people aren't so sure."
Yang Yang chuckled, "I'm not that special."
"Don't be so modest. Belief is a strange thing," Su Wenhong replied with a grin.
Everyone, including Wei Zhen, smiled at that. After all, there was some truth to it.
Since his breakout performance at the Toulon Tournament, Yang Yang had consistently played well for the national team in every competition. During the Asian Cup, his impact on the field was undeniable. Even head coach Arie Haan had mentioned in a media interview that Yang Yang was like a bridge between him and the players. Yang Yang understood the coach's ideas better than anyone, which helped bring the team together.
It wasn't long before the domestic fans had begun to believe in him too. People were starting to feel that the national team was entirely different when Yang Yang was on the pitch. He had gradually become a symbol of hope.
As the group continued to chat, Yang Yang's phone suddenly rang.
Speak of the devil.
It was Team Leader Zhu from the national squad.
...
...
Due to the urgency, the national team could only secure a flight for Yang Yang to Amsterdam on the morning of the 12th.
Upon arriving in the Netherlands, he would have a brief two-hour rest before boarding a connecting flight from Amsterdam to Kuwait. According to the schedule, even if everything ran smoothly and there were no delays, Yang Yang wouldn't land in Kuwait until the early hours of the 13th.
The Chinese team's crucial match against Kuwait was set for the evening of the 13th.
It was shaping up to be a grueling journey—nearly 20 hours of travel across time zones, leaving little room for proper rest or recovery.
Team Leader Zhu, who had always been supportive of Yang Yang, repeatedly apologized over the phone, explaining the logistical challenges that the national team and Football Association had faced. He hoped Yang Yang would understand their situation.
Yang Yang, ever the professional, reassured him that he had no complaints and would do his best, despite the circumstances.
However, back home, the domestic media and countless netizens were far less forgiving. They voiced their frustration over the Football Association's last-minute call-up, questioning why they had delayed bringing Yang Yang into the squad until the very end. If his presence was so critical, why hadn't they acted sooner?
Reports circulated that Arie Haan had gone so far as to threaten resignation before the Football Association finally relented and decided to call Yang Yang into the team.
The reasons for the FA's reluctance were soon revealed by the media, triggering another wave of public criticism. Trust in the Football Association was already at an all-time low, and this latest blunder only added fuel to the fire.
The concern now wasn't just about Yang Yang's fitness to play after such a demanding journey. It was about his ability to make an impact in the game given the circumstances.
Twenty hours of travel, landing in the early morning, and then playing a critical match in the evening—everyone was worried about his condition by kickoff.
As one netizen sarcastically put it, "Yang Yang's talent isn't in doubt. The real problem is the 'pig teammates' who'll stop him from performing at his best."
...
...
Yang Yang wasn't aware of the immense support he had back home from the fans. As soon as he boarded the plane, he put on his blindfold and entered the Dream Training System.
For years, Yang Yang's training regimen in the Dream Training System hadn't changed significantly. It still focused on the fundamentals and honing star skills. However, before each match, he made sure to simulate his next opponent to help him better understand their style of play and prepare himself mentally for the game.
The idea behind this approach was to allow him to adapt faster to the rhythm of the match, and it had proven highly effective.
But this time, there was a challenge. Due to the limited information the national team had on the Kuwaiti players, Yang Yang couldn't gather as much detailed insight as he would have liked. There were only a few video highlights available, and while Kuwait wasn't a particularly strong opponent, Yang Yang opted to keep the simulation short, focusing instead on his fundamentals and star skills.
In addition to that, Yang Yang had been grappling with another issue lately—his physical conditioning.
The Dream Training System could not directly enhance his physical strength. That was something he had to work on in the real world. Ajax, of course, had professional fitness trainers and strength coaches, but due to his young age, Yang Yang hadn't focused heavily on physical training just yet.
However, he had now started to feel the limitations of his current physical development.
"The physical strength of Asian players is generally inferior to that of European players. I felt it during the Asian Cup, and when I returned to Ajax, I discussed it with the coaching staff. But given my packed schedule, I haven't had the time to work on a proper solution," Yang Yang reflected with a sense of frustration.
Since breaking into the first team last season, Yang Yang hadn't had much rest. The latter half of the season had been relentless, with Ajax's deep run in multiple competitions, culminating in the Champions League final. Immediately after, he had flown to Toulon for the tournament, followed by returning to China to prepare for the Asian Cup.
As soon as the Asian Cup concluded, it was straight back to Amsterdam, and the new season kicked off almost immediately. Then came the UEFA Super Cup, the Asian Youth Championship, and now the World Cup qualifiers.
Looking back, Yang Yang realized just how many games he had played in the past year. If not for the Dream Training System's deep sleep function helping him recover faster, there was no way he would have been able to maintain his high level of performance throughout.
Of course, compared to the intensity of European competitions, tournaments like the Toulon Cup, Asian Cup, and Asian Youth Championship didn't push him as hard physically. Still, Yang Yang had begun to feel the limitations in his stamina and physical confrontations.
"If I could improve my physical strength and ability to hold my ground in challenges, I'm sure I'd perform even better than I am now," Yang Yang thought to himself.
He had experienced it firsthand. There were moments when, after making a solo run and beating multiple defenders, he found himself lacking the strength to get a clean shot off. Other times, under tight marking and physical pressure from opponents, his technical abilities were compromised. His shot power, too, often felt inadequate, leading to missed opportunities.
The coaching staff at Ajax wasn't too concerned—they reminded him that he was only 17 and still had plenty of time to develop physically. But Yang Yang was starting to wonder if he needed a more focused and personalized approach to strength training.
"According to scientific research, the years between 18 and 23 are crucial for shaping a professional player's physical development," Zax's cold, analytical voice chimed in. "These years not only determine long-term performance but also play a key role in injury prevention and recovery. The key is finding a program tailored to your playing style and technical characteristics. Ajax, with its world-class facilities and coaching staff, is more than capable of providing that."
Zax's logic was sound, and Yang Yang knew it. Ajax had an incredible track record in not only developing technical skills but also ensuring players were physically prepared for the rigors of top-level football. Their focus on muscle-specific training based on a player's style could help reduce the risk of injury while enhancing performance. It was common knowledge in football that a player's body was their most important asset.
Yang Yang understood what Zax was getting at. Rather than searching for an external personal coach, it would be wiser to collaborate with Ajax's fitness team to create a customized program that suited his specific needs.
"Physical conditioning is a long-term commitment," Zax reminded him. "It's something that will shape your entire career. The more potential you want to tap into, the more you'll need to endure. There will be no shortcuts."
Yang Yang nodded. He had already seen players at Ajax who struggled with the rigors of strength training, reluctant to put in the hard work necessary to build their bodies for the demands of the sport.
It was much like trying to lose weight—everyone knew what needed to be done, but only a few had the willpower to see it through. Professional football demanded even more discipline and perseverance to maintain peak physical condition.
And there could be no slacking off. Any break in the routine would lead to a loss of progress.
Yang Yang paused, deep in thought, before nodding resolutely. "I'm ready to take on whatever training is necessary, no matter how tough it is. If I've gotten through all the basic training so far, there's nothing I can't handle."
Of course, building physical strength wasn't going to be easier than mastering technique. It might even be more grueling.
But Yang Yang had made up his mind. If physical training was the next challenge he needed to conquer, then he was ready to face it head-on.
...
...
During the layover at Amsterdam International Airport, Yang Yang switched on his phone and saw several text messages from Arie Haan and Team Leader Zhu. Each one asked the same thing: whether he would arrive in Kuwait on time.
According to the standard rules, the 18-man squad list had to be submitted one day before the match. The lineup could only be drawn from this list, and no changes were allowed afterward. It was already nearing the deadline to report the squad, and Yang Yang's delayed flight put his arrival in question.
Yang Yang immediately called Team Leader Zhu, letting him know that while he had arrived in Amsterdam, the delay meant he wouldn't be in Kuwait as early as expected.
"Please pass on a message to the coach for me," Yang Yang said confidently. "I'm ready. As long as I make it in time for the match, I'm good to play."
Despite the chaos within the domestic Football Association and league, Yang Yang remained unfazed. He was focused on one thing: wearing the national team jersey. When he put it on, he was representing not just himself but the red flag on his chest.
No matter the circumstances, if his team needed him, he was willing to give everything.
Leader Zhu was moved by Yang Yang's dedication and reassured him that he would relay the message to the coach. He also told Yang Yang not to feel too much pressure. After all, it was the national team and the Football Association's disorganization that had caused the long, arduous travel to get him to Kuwait in time.
While waiting at the airport, Yang Yang picked up a few Dutch newspapers as he sat down for a quick meal.
He had already heard about Ajax's recent struggles through the internet, but reading the latest headlines only deepened his concern. The team had just suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat away to Bayern Munich. It was a crushing loss, even by tough standards.
The defeat felt like a disaster, and Yang Yang knew he had to check in with his teammates. He immediately called Thomas Vermaelen, his friend and roommate at Ajax. Vermaelen wasn't on international duty, as he hadn't been called up to the Belgian national team. As soon as he heard from Yang Yang, he drove straight from Oude Kerk to the airport to meet him.
When they sat down together, Yang Yang could see the weight of frustration and responsibility on Vermaelen's face.
"The team's in a really bad place right now," Vermaelen admitted. "A lot of the media are calling for Ronald Koeman to be sacked. Maicon is getting torn apart by the press too, and he's struggling mentally. Vlaar and I, we're also under enormous pressure."
It was clear that Vermaelen was feeling the burden of Ajax's poor form. Yang Yang could sense the guilt in his voice. No player enjoys losing, and Vermaelen was no different. Whenever a mistake or poor result happens, the players often feel the pressure to shoulder the blame.
But the brutal reality of professional football is that only the winners are celebrated. The media and fans rarely show compassion for the losers.
"Don't be too hard on yourself," Yang Yang said, placing a reassuring hand on Vermaelen's shoulder. "I'm heading to Kuwait for the World Cup qualifier, but I'll be back soon."
Vermaelen nodded but looked unconvinced. "We're all waiting for you to come back. It's like a nightmare without you here," he admitted.
Yang Yang wasn't surprised. He knew he had become a key player for Ajax, but he hadn't realized how much the team truly depended on him. Without him on the right wing, the team lacked the danger and spark he brought to the attack. De Mul and the other young players had performed well in the youth team, but they hadn't been able to translate that form into the first team. The attacking threat just wasn't there.
Wesley Sonck, who had been impressive the previous season, had gone off form, and the newly signed Angelos Charisteas, while tactically useful, lacked the scoring ability Ajax desperately needed. It had left the front line ineffective.
And when the attack falters, the pressure mounts on the defense. Ajax's backline was struggling, and the team felt like it was teetering on the edge.
"Don't worry, this rough patch will pass soon," Yang Yang said, trying to comfort his friend.
But he knew that words alone wouldn't fix Ajax's problems. The team's struggles ran deep, and while he was optimistic, he was also realistic. He couldn't solve all the team's issues on his own. Still, he believed in his teammates and in the system they had built at Ajax.
Vermaelen gave a faint smile, grateful for the encouragement. "Thanks, Yang. We just need you back, man."
Yang Yang knew he couldn't return fast enough to help his club. But first, he had a national team duty to fulfill.
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GxDesailly
GxDesailly Comment and for those that didn't already review the book don't forget to go review it since we are already past 100 chapters l think you can already have an opinion about the book.
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