Chương 28: Garnering attention
Yang Yang was taken by surprise as he effortlessly snatched the ball, leaving him little time to contemplate. Without hesitation, he surged towards the opponent's half, initiating an immediate counterattack.
Volendam, caught off guard by the steal, saw Paul Questen react swiftly, closing in on Yang Yang without delay.
Yang Yang accelerated, but Questen's rapid pursuit brought him close, attempting to intercept. However, Yang Yang deftly evaded him with a quick body feint.
This maneuver bought valuable time for Volendam to regroup, their midfielders and defenders swiftly adjusting to stifle Yang Yang's progress with numerical superiority.
Despite Volendam's speed, Almere's players responded promptly. Henk Dimer advanced, calling for the ball, providing Yang Yang with additional options.
Utilizing his [God Vision], Yang Yang monitored the evolving situation, familiar with Volendam's defensive setup and his teammates' positions. Upon entering the 30-meter area, he instinctively passed the ball forward. The precise pass threaded between two Volendam defenders, perfectly meeting Henk Dimer's path.
It was a superb pass, earning applause from Johnny Rep, Dick Van Poer, Van Gaal, and others on the sidelines.
The precision of the pass immediately drew the attention of one of Volendam's defenders. After delivering the pass, Yang Yang swiftly darted towards the right wing. The Volendam defenders' focus shifted to Henk Dimer, who received the ball in the center of the field.
As Dimer controlled the ball, the Almere captain quickly played a low, driven pass towards the right side of the penalty area. Yang Yang cleverly evaded his marker, initially feinting towards the right flank before abruptly changing direction, cutting diagonally towards the right side of the penalty area.
This sudden change of direction caught the Volendam defenders off guard. Despite Afiyes, the center back, adjusting his defensive stance to intercept Yang Yang, the Almere forward had already deftly received the ball with a single touch, stepping into the penalty area.
Yang Yang controlled the ball with precision this time, advancing towards Afiyes, who retreated cautiously in the penalty area to avoid fouling. As Yang Yang entered the box, he executed multiple body feints to both the right and left, accompanied by quick step-overs, bewildering Afiyes and leaving him uncertain how to respond. Seizing on his speed advantage, Yang Yang exploited a gap left by Afiyes and suddenly accelerated, leaving the defender trailing.
Breaking free on the right side, Yang Yang glanced up to find the goalkeeper positioned to cover the near post. Without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful shot from his right foot towards the left side of the net. The goalkeeper instinctively reached with his left hand, but the ball had already crossed the goal line by the time he moved.
Yang Yang's decision to shoot quickly wasn't due to confidence in his accuracy but because the goalkeeper was positioned favorably on the right side, leaving the left side open for him to exploit. His straightforward approach paid off as the ball found the back of the net.
Filled with excitement, Yang Yang turned swiftly, anticipating a celebration. Unexpectedly, a shadow loomed before him, and then a strong impact knocked him to the ground—Henk Dimer had rushed over to join the celebration.
Although a bit fatigued, Yang Yang welcomed the team's exuberant celebration as Henk Dimer and others piled on in jubilation over the goal.
With the game nearing its conclusion, Almere securing a 2-1 advantage at this stage all but ensured victory.
...
...
The stadium erupted in wild celebrations after witnessing Yang Yang's goal. Almere had shown tremendous tenacity throughout the game, but it was their number 9 who truly stood out.
He tirelessly ran for nearly the entire match, ignoring his physical fatigue. Both of Almere's goals came from him, particularly the second, where he tracked back into defense, anticipated Volendam's play, intercepted their attack, and then led the counter-attack himself to score. It was a performance that completely turned the game around, and such young talent deserved all the praise.
Johnny Rep and Dick Van Poer were equally thrilled beyond words.
In their view, the best-case scenario for this game was for Almere to score a goal and avoid embarrassment. Yet, against all expectations, Yang Yang scored twice in the second half, stunning them.
While the first goal fell within their expectations, the second was simply remarkable.
Without Yang Yang's proactive involvement, running back and defending in his own 30-meter zone, such an opportunity would never have arisen.
"This kid is absolutely phenomenal!" Dick Van Poer couldn't contain his laughter. "He's always so unpredictable, always surprising everyone. I can't believe how talented he is."
Johnny Rep nodded emphatically in agreement with Van Poer.
It seemed like just yesterday that Johnny Rep had privately advised Yang Yang to consider leaving the team. Now, Yang Yang had emerged as the team's leader, consistently delivering astonishing performances. It was truly unbelievable.
At times, Johnny Rep found himself pondering how much had changed in just over two months.
Certainly, Yang Yang's transformation was a result of his newfound determination, dedication, and intensified training regimen.
Henk Dimer mentioned that Yang Yang even dedicated time during the week to practice at the skate park, demonstrating his unwavering commitment. Henk Dimer admired Yang Yang's diligence, recognizing it as a key factor in his remarkable progress.
While Johnny Rep and Dick Van Poer's admiration was based on their observations, Louis van Gaal was unequivocally certain of Yang Yang's ability to endure rigorous and demanding training sessions. The Dutch coach admitted to underestimating Yang Yang's rapid improvement. Although his fundamental skills remained a work in progress, Yang Yang's strides in other areas were undeniably rapid and impressive.
"He hasn't seen him in two months, yet he's already at this level," Louis van Gaal mused, reflecting on Yang Yang's progress. "Compared to players who've had years of professional training at Ajax, he's not far behind. Given more time, he could cause even more surprises."
As Van Gaal observed Yang Yang, he couldn't help but see shades of Kluivert and other exceptional talents he had coached at Ajax. They were all rare gems in their own right.
...
...
In the final minutes, Volendam unleashed a relentless assault on Almere, but their physical exertion took its toll, compounded by a dwindling fighting spirit among their players, ultimately leading to their failure to score.
As the referee blew the final whistle, jubilation erupted throughout Almere.
Players swarmed around Yang Yang to celebrate, then gathered around Johnny Rep on the sidelines.
Had Johnny Rep not altered their tactics at halftime, Almere would have struggled immensely to overturn the game and secure victory.
After the win, Johnny Rep smiled broadly, commending nearly every player for their defensive resilience, visibly elated by the victory.
This match marked the fifth round of the knockout against a newly promoted Eredivisie team's youth squad. Despite their status, many players from this Volendam youth team are poised to feature in the Eredivisie next season, underscoring their formidable strength. To defeat such opponents was a source of pride for everyone in Almere.
Yet, Johnny Rep refrained from excessive praise for Yang Yang. Instead, he simply patted Yang Yang on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Keep working hard; you'll make us all proud." This simple statement brought more joy to Yang Yang than any elaborate praise.
Yang Yang felt gratified that his hard work over the past two months had paid off, a sentiment affirmed by the head coach.
While chatting with Johnny Rep, Yang Yang noticed Louis van Gaal not far away in the crowd.
The Dutch coach wore a familiar golf hat, the same one he often sported during Yang Yang's special training sessions, which left a strong impression on him. Adding to his surprise, Truus Opmeer stood beside Van Gaal, catching Yang Yang's eye instantly.
"Hey!" Yang Yang waved enthusiastically.
Van Gaal responded with a smile and a wave. Yang Yang approached with a smile, "It's been a while...," he hesitated momentarily. How should he address such a world-renowned coach? He settled on a respectful tone, "Mr. Van Gaal."
Truus Opmeer noticed Yang Yang's hesitation and chuckled, "You can call him Louis, he prefers that from friends."
"Oh, okay, Louis," Yang Yang nodded, feeling honored to be on first-name terms with Van Gaal.
"Have you still been training at the park lately?" Louis asked with concern.
"Yes, every day," Yang Yang replied.
"It seems like you've been working on your left foot," Louis remarked, smiling knowingly.
"How did you know?" Yang Yang asked, surprised.
During their last meeting, Van Gaal had mentioned wanting Yang Yang to focus on training his left foot. Following consultation with Zax, Yang Yang incorporated additional left-foot training sessions into his routine.
"Your first goal was with your left foot," Van Gaal chuckled, hinting he might have noticed the results of Yang Yang's training.
"My left foot still lacks the precision of my right. Just now, I almost reverted to my right foot out of habit," Yang Yang admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed. Being naturally right-footed, his left foot was still a work in progress despite the added training.
"That's normal. Take your time. Developing proficiency with both feet will make you more versatile," Van Gaal reassured him with a smile.
Yang Yang understood that mastering both feet would not only increase his threat on the field but also enhance his overall game.
"Okay, don't forget to celebrate with your teammates," Van Gaal nodded, smiling.
Spotting Johnny Rep in the distance, their acquaintance wasn't deep, so Van Gaal simply waved and exchanged greetings.
"We'll meet again soon," Van Gaal remarked before walking away with Truus, leaving Yang Yang pondering the meaning behind his words.
Yang Yang didn't have much time to dwell on it as he was quickly called over by his teammates.
...
...
The busy summer had finally arrived.
Following a season without any trophies, the pressure on Ajax's management had intensified. Losing their defensive linchpin and captain Chivu, along with their dynamic right-winger Van der Meyde, posed significant challenges across the pitch, necessitating a strategic plan for replacements.
Could they buy new players? That seemed unlikely given the contract renewal issues faced by many first-team players. Renewing contracts would inevitably lead to increased salaries, adding strain to the club's finances.
In financial terms, the club's resources could be likened to a scale, with transfer fees and salary budgets at opposing ends. Elevating one end meant reducing the other.
The decision to sell players was partly driven by the need to balance the books and accommodate the increased salaries demanded by stars like Van der Vaart, Ibrahimovic, and Sneijder.
Without selling players, Ajax faced a dilemma: where would they find the funds to meet the escalating wage demands of their key players?
Not only were they forced to sell players, but Ajax also found themselves unable to make any moves in the transfer market, despite the pressing need to maintain competitiveness and improve upon the previous season's performance. This posed a significant challenge for the club's sporting department.
Ronald Koeman emphasized the continuation of promoting young talents from the club's youth ranks into the first team. Additionally, he urged the scouting department, led by Tonny Bruins Slot, to swiftly identify and recruit a cohort of exceptional young players capable of bolstering the first team.
Even young talents like 16-year-old Babel and Robbert Schilder, aged 17, were already being considered for potential inclusion in the first team.
Tonny Bruins Slot , as head of the scouting department, bore the responsibility of selecting promising young players. Recently, he had been overwhelmed by the volume of player information he had to sift through daily—much of it from unfamiliar sources. This constant influx left him feeling overwhelmed and often gave him headaches, particularly when he entered De Toekomst , the club's training facility.
Especially when he saw Patrick Radru and Fred Arroyo approaching together, Tonny Bruins Slot's brow furrowed even tighter.
"I hope you've got some good news for me," Tonny Bruins Slot remarked, his tone edged with frustration.
Radru and Arroyo exchanged a knowing smile.
Patrick Radru, a seasoned figure within Ajax's youth system, had transitioned to coaching the youth team following Leo Beenhakker's early retirement. Fred Arroyo, on the other hand, served as a scout under Pronk's supervision, primarily tasked with assessing Ajax's loan players and submitting detailed reports.
Both men had been occupied with the same focus lately: the summer youth amateur competition.
"You bet, there's some promising news," Fred Arroyo chuckled.
"Out with it," Tonny Bruins Slot urged.
"Been having headaches over the center-back and right-wing positions, haven't you?" Arroyo began.
"Indeed," Bruins Slot nodded. "Those are our two most pressing needs."
"For the center-back role, I strongly recommend Ron Vlaar from Alkmaar," Arroyo continued.
Bruins Slot nodded thoughtfully. He was aware of Vlaar's impressive performances in the amateur competition—a young talent with the physical attributes typical of a solid center-back.
"Vlaar's certainly promising, but given our current needs, we're leaning towards a more experienced and mature player," Bruins Slot interjected. "The coaching staff and scouting department have their eyes on Julien Régis Paul Escudé from Stade Rennes. He's twenty-four and brings more seasoned experience."
Patrick Radru shrugged, "Doesn't hurt to explore. We have a good relationship with Alkmaar, so we can open discussions with them first." Clearly, both Radru and Arroyo were highly optimistic about Ron Vlaar's potential.
Bruins Slot pondered the suggestion. "I'll reconsider. It's not just about recruiting the top young talents in the Netherlands; we also need to ensure they have ample opportunities for competitive development. Take Thomas Vermaelen, for instance. We signed him in 2001, but he hasn't seen first-team action yet."
Upon hearing this perspective, Radru and Arroyo didn't press further. For a club like Ajax, nurturing young players was always a priority.
"As for the right wing, you must have heard of him," Arroyo smiled.
"Oh?" Bruins Slot leaned in, intrigued.
"The Chinese player at Almere, Yang Yang."
"Ah, yes," Bruins Slot nodded knowingly. "Just last night, Aaron Mooy's football blog featured a discussion about him. He played away at Volendam, scoring a brace to help Almere secure a comeback win. His performance was quite impressive."
"We watched his game on the site," Arroyo smiled. "His breakthrough on the right side reminded me of someone."
"Who?" Bruins Slot asked curiously.
"Ronaldo."
"Come on, Ronaldo plays as a forward."
"I know, I mean he's exceptional like Ronaldo."
As Arroyo spoke, Bruins Slot suddenly recalled something important. He asked his two colleagues to wait a moment and began searching through a cabinet filled with documents. After a brief search, he located a specific document.
"I forgot how long ago, but our scouts also recommended him."
With that, Bruins Slot handed the document to his two colleagues.
While they reviewed the scouting report, Bruins Slot accessed the video of Yang Yang's recent game that Arroyo had copied onto the computer.
The match had taken place the previous night at the Kras Stadium in Volendam. Although it wasn't broadcast live, Ajax had requested and received a recording of the game.
As Bruins Slot watched the footage, his frown deepened.
If he remembered correctly, the scouting report should have been on his desk over a month ago. At the time, Bruins Slot hadn't paid much attention to it because the scout who recommended Yang Yang had likened him to the next Ronaldo, a comparison Bruins Slot deemed overly optimistic.
However, upon reviewing the video footage of Yang Yang's recent game provided by Arroyo, Bruins Slot couldn't deny the threat posed by Yang Yang's attacks down the right side. His ability to both contribute significantly in offense and show a strong commitment to defensive duties was a rare combination among players.
Although Bruins Slot wasn't the head coach, he understood that any player who showed a willingness to contribute defensively while possessing excellent offensive skills would be highly valued by any coaching staff. This insight contrasted sharply with Ronald Koeman's reservations about Ibrahimovic, whose defensive contributions were often lacking.
As Bruins Slot re-watched the video, he observed that Yang Yang's success rate in one-on-one situations was nearly flawless whenever he controlled the ball well—an achievement that seemed almost unbelievable. Yet, the footage also highlighted several areas where Yang Yang could improve.
"His basic skills are lacking, especially his first touch, his passing is average, and his crosses aren't up to par."
Bruins Slot, responsible for Ajax's scouting, had a keen eye for such details, quickly assessing Yang Yang's strengths and weaknesses.
"If his basic skills were stronger, particularly his first touch and passing accuracy, he could be exceptional. Almere might have scored more than two goals in that game," Bruins Slot remarked, evaluating the player's potential.
Yang Yang's profile was evidently a mix of strengths and weaknesses, a fact not lost on Arroyo and Radru, who exchanged glances reflecting their shared concern.
"I was following football online last night, and many passionate fans were calling in to say that Yang Yang couldn't get a game at Almere just two months ago, but now he's the heart of their team," Radru interjected.
Bruins Slot turned to Radru, seeking clarification. "Patrick, are you suggesting..."
"I think we should take a closer look at him. Maybe you should visit him alone," Radru suggested.
Bruins Slot considered Radru's proposal carefully. "I'll give it some thought."
Arroyo, sensing Pronk's reserved response, hesitated briefly before adding, "Tonny, I know you've been busy, but I strongly recommend you consider Patrick's suggestion."
"Huh?" Bruins Slot sensed something amiss.
"I saw Gullit last night in Volendam," Arroyo continued.
"Well, he's taking over the Dutch U18 national team this summer," Bruins Slot replied, not surprised.
"There were also scout John van Loen from Utrecht, Feyenoord, and several others. They all spoke highly of Yang Yang."
Bruins Slot immediately became attentive. He hadn't expected other clubs to be scouting Yang Yang, forcing him to take notice.
"I also saw Piet de Visser at the scene."
"Piet de Visser?" Bruins Slot was surprised, glancing worriedly at Arroyo. "Are you sure? Could you have mistaken him for someone else?"
"No mistake. He was with Anton Hanssen," Arroyo affirmed.
Bruins Slot fell silent for a long moment, his expression changing. Finally, he stood up abruptly.
"I'm calling Ruud Krol right away," Bruins Slot declared firmly.
Turning to Fred Arroyo, he continued, "Fred, I need you to find out when Almere's next game is and who their opponent will be. Get me the details as soon as possible."
Arroyo, sensing the urgency in Bruins Slot's tone, nodded immediately and assured him he would handle it promptly.
Patrick Radru chimed in, "Tonny, you should also call Johnny Rep."
Bruins Slot nodded in agreement, his mind already racing with plans and concerns about Yang Yang's future.
...
...
After defeating Volendam, Almere returned triumphant, warmly embraced by their fans, particularly Yang Yang, who scored twice and once again emerged as the team's savior.
Later, everyone gathered at Shen Ji Chinese Restaurant to celebrate, dispersing only after a hearty meal.
That night, within the Dream Training System, Yang Yang and Zax analyzed the game. They focused on identifying and addressing the mistakes Yang Yang made—some stemming from his inadequate basic skills, challenging to improve rapidly, and others from personal errors. They strategized to prevent these mistakes in future games.
Reviewing match footage and receiving advice from Zax on rectifying errors marked Yang Yang's progress over the past three months.
The following morning, Yang Yang headed to the skate park for additional training.
Due to the previous night's game, the team skipped practice for the day. Yang Yang spent most of his time at the skate park, except for a lunch break, and returned to the restaurant only to assist during dinner.
After a bustling day, Henk Dimer and others knocked on his door again, accompanied this time by Johnny Rep—an unexpected surprise for him.
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