บท 3: Chapter 3 Break Through The Stick Team! Unreasonable Long Shot!
Since discovering his "nightclub empowerment" ability, Su Luo transformed from a shy teenager into the "little prince of nightclubs," leading his teammates in nightlife adventures.
His relationships within the National Youth Team improved dramatically. Not only did he take his teammates out for fun, but he also became the team's star player, scoring 90% of their goals in the tournament. In the most critical moments, he was the one to step up, earning the respect of even the older players.
The media took notice, dubbing him "National Youth Ronaldo" and "Chinese Emperor Star." Both the team leader and coach began paying more attention to Su Luo. However, team leader Guo Bingyan remained strict, constantly finding fault with him like a primary school teacher.
Xu Xin once suggested that Su Luo should give Guo Bingyan a gift or some sort of tribute to secure a more stable starting position, but Su Luo shrugged it off.
"It's Jankovic's decision who starts based on goals. What's it got to do with Guo leading the team?" he said.
Unfortunately, Su Luo's defiance soon led to trouble. Even though the whole team went to the nightclub, he became the scapegoat and was fined, missing the group match against Turkey. Unsurprisingly, Guoqing lost 0-3.
Facing Spain, Jankovic managed to persuade Guo Bingyan to allow Su Luo to start, leading to an astonishing victory that took them to the semi-finals. However, Guo Bingyan then strictly curtailed the team's free activities, and Su Luo hadn't been to a nightclub in a week.
The semi-final against South Korea depended on his raw talent. Despite this, Su Luo felt no panic. Standing on the pitch, his right hand over his heart, he sang the national anthem with pride.
"...Fighting the enemy's fire! Forward! Forward! Forward!"
After the stirring anthem, there was scattered applause. Su Luo took his position in the middle circle, ready for the game to begin.
"This time, the national youth team must be wary of South Korea's two core players: No. 12 Ryu Seung-woo and No. 7 Son Heung-min!" commentator Shen Fangjian announced with palpable anxiety.
The South Korean U20 team had won the Asian Youth Championship last year and had impressive performances in the group stage, drawing with Portugal and defeating Cuba and Nigeria. In the knockout rounds, they bested Colombia in a penalty shootout, earning their semi-final spot. Son Heung-min, selected as an overage player, and Ryu Seung-woo posed significant threats.
Son Heung-min had already made a name for himself at Bundesliga's Hamburg, becoming a core offensive player, while Ryu Seung-woo was attracting interest from top teams like Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.
In comparison, except for the remarkable Su Luo and Xu Xin, who had returned from Atletico Madrid, the rest of the National Youth League seemed lackluster.
As the match began, Guoqing was predictably dominated by South Korea. Jankovic instructed his players to defend deep, leaving Su Luo alone up front. At 16, Su Luo's physicality was not yet up to par, but his 100-meter sprint speed was unmatched on the team, clocking in under 11 seconds.
However, after 30 minutes, Su Luo hadn't touched the ball. The national team struggled to advance past midfield, overwhelmed by South Korea's high pressing and controlled passing.
South Korea used the match to hone their tactics, reminiscent of the "mad dog" styles brought to prominence by Klopp and Simeone. The 40-year-long "Korea-phobia" lent South Korea an air of superiority, causing the national youth players to play nervously and make mistakes.
South Korea's relentless attacks kept threatening the National Youth League's goal. The commentators, Shen Fangjian among them, felt the pressure as the opposition consistently found gaps, especially on the right side.
"Oh! The pass attempt was too obvious, intercepted by South Korea!"
"The ball is with Son Heung-min! He weaves through defenders—one, two—dangerous!"
"The defender's center of gravity is off! Son Heung-min with a shot from outside the penalty area!"
"Goalkeeper Fang Jingqi saves it!"
"Ryu Seung-woo with the follow-up—it's just over the bar! Guoqing is lucky to escape unscathed!"
"Another goal kick intercepted by South Korea. They continue their siege!"
"Son Heung-min again! Into the penalty area—aims for the far corner—"
"Very close! The ball hits the post and goes wide!"
"South Korea has exploited the right-side gaps of the National Youth Team, with Son Heung-min repeatedly breaking through and cutting inside to create scoring opportunities."
"If not for Fang Jingqi, Evergrande's young keeper, and some bad luck for South Korea, the National Youth League might have already conceded..."
Shen Fangjian breathed a sigh of relief, wiping sweat from his forehead. His nerves had been on edge since the match started.
However, his relief was premature. In the 39th minute, the national youth defense, under constant pressure, finally cracked. A miscommunication between the right back and the central defender resulted in an own-goal assist. Son Heung-min pounced, dribbled into the penalty area, and fired into the top corner, leaving Xu Xin helpless.
"Damn! The goal is lost! Son Heung-min breaks the deadlock in the 39th minute!"
"National Youth failed to defend the midfield. The pressure on defense is too high, leading to more mistakes!"
"If we can maintain a one-goal gap, there's still hope..."
Shen Fangjian's commentary barely finished before another mistake occurred. Three minutes later, a South Korean pass was poorly cleared by the national youth defense, landing at Ryu Seung-woo's feet. He capitalized and scored, making it 2-0.
The National Youth League trailed by two goals at halftime, facing a crisis. Amid the despondency, Su Luo remained vigilant, seeking opportunities.
Finally, just before the end of the first half, a long clearance from Guoqing reached the front. Su Luo seized the moment as the defender stumbled, getting the ball. With the referee about to blow the whistle and the goalkeeper slightly off his line, Su Luo decided to take a chance.
From 35 meters out, he unleashed a powerful shot. The stadium fell silent as the ball rocketed towards the top corner.
"The state hasn't disappeared, let it go in!" Su Luo willed.
The Trabzonspor Stadium held its breath, watching in awe.
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