Chapter 30: Even penalty kicks are under control?
Being one goal behind did not change the situation on the field, but instead prompted the Celtics to launch a more frenzied attack.
As Rangers were heavily defending in the middle and could not break through and had no space for long shots, the Celtics stepped up their attack from the flanks.
For a while, the ball seemed to have never touched the ground, flying back and forth from both wings into the Rangers penalty area.
Everyone seems to have forgotten that football is a sport played with the feet. They only see the ball flying in and being kicked out.
This kind of kicking made Furuhashi Kengo very angry.
He tried to ask his teammates for the ball several times, but Chen Xiaoliang's relentless close defense left him with no space to get the ball.
Although the scene looked ugly and the ball possession ratio was 77% to 23%, the game was completely played in a way that Rangers had the upper hand.
Rangers' three forwards not only participated in the defense, but also wandered smartly around the midfield line. As soon as their team got the ball, they immediately sprinted towards Celtic's half.
Callum, who had a yellow card, was still organizing Celtic's attack, but unlike before, he no longer dared to press too hard, especially getting too close to Chen Xiaoliang.
Therefore, whenever Furuhashi Kengo ran towards him and tried to get the ball, he would deliberately avoid him.
Invisibly, the connection between the Celtics' organizational core and offensive core was blocked by Chen Xiaoliang's sticky defense.
But the other Celtic players are no ordinary people either. One of the front three was defended, while the other two, Elyounoussi and Ayeti, were always trying to change the game.
In the 43rd minute, Celtic made another cross. Goldson, who was excited because of scoring a goal in this game, judged the landing point in advance , jumped high and headed the ball out, and the ball went straight to Callum at the top of the penalty area.
Without waiting for the ball to land, Callum kicked the bottom of the football with his right foot, and the ball flew towards the upper right corner of the goal like a cannonball.
Rangers goalkeeper McGregor, who had been under test throughout the entire half, dared not be distracted for a moment and jumped up with all his might to save the ball!
His fingertips touched the ball, causing it to hit the post and bounce back!
It fell right at the feet of Elyounoussi in the small penalty area!
Elyounoussi, who had been waiting for a long time, would never miss such an opportunity to pick up the wallet. When he was about to raise his foot to shoot, his body flew out.
It turned out that Balogun saw McGregor lying on the ground with no time to get up, and Elyounoussi was facing an empty goal, so he had to clear the ball with him.
The referee took out the yellow card without hesitation! Then he pointed to the penalty spot!
The Celtics players cheered loudly as if they had won the game!
They played so frustratingly in this game!
After fifteen shots, there was no splash at all. Now there is finally a great chance to score a goal. As long as he scores, the game will be back to the starting point!
Callum , the main penalty taker , wanted to move forward, but Kento Furuhashi had already stood at the penalty spot.
The Japanese striker, who was frustrated by the Rangers' compact defense and Chen Xiaoliang's stubborn defense, really needed a goal to prove himself!
Callum didn't argue anymore, he just patted Gu Qiaohengwu on the shoulder and said a few words of encouragement.
After everyone around him dispersed, Gu Qiao Hengwu, who suddenly had no one around him, seemed a little uncomfortable. He turned around to look at Chen Xiaoliang, who had followed him closely for almost half the game, and almost vomited blood!
Chen Xiaoliang was actually standing next to goalkeeper McGregor, whispering and pointing at himself!
This guy! He even wants to get involved in penalty kicks?!
I saw Chen Xiaoliang repeatedly pointing to the right side of Guqiao Hengwu, and then constantly emphasizing something at a very fast speed.
McGregor listened and nodded seriously.
This scene was incredible not only to Kento Furuhashi, but also to the other Rangers players on the field, and even Gerrard and McAllister on the sidelines!
In the penalty kick training, there has never been any content related to Chen Xiaoliang!
Why is McGregor listening so seriously, as if he is being lectured by a senior teammate!
"Boss, is this the secret tactic you arranged?" McAllister asked Gerrard in a low voice.
Gerrard frowned, he even doubted whether he had really mentioned the matter of saving the penalty to Chen Xiaoliang at some point.
The referee saw the two people whispering non-stop and made a gesture towards Chen Xiaoliang as if he was going to blow the whistle or draw a card.
Chen Xiaoliang quickly walked away, shouting in a loud voice as he walked: "That's the direction, it must be right!"
"That direction? Which one?" Gu Qiao Hengwu was stunned.
"He just pointed to my right. Did he want the goalkeeper to dive to the right?"
"No, he let me see it on purpose. It was obviously to trick me and trick me into not kicking the right side."
"That's not right. He is a young boy, but McGregor is already 38 years old. He is a real veteran. He can listen to this boy so seriously. The coaching staff of Rangers must have prepared in advance!"
"Does he mean I can't kick on the right side?!"
"Where exactly should I kick?"
Gu Qiao Hengwu's heart was suddenly confused!
McGregor opened his arms and jumped repeatedly on the goal line, occasionally pointing his left finger to the right side of the goal.
"Beep!" The referee whistle sounded, and Gu Qiaoheng had no time to hesitate!
"As long as the force is strong and the angle is tricky, it doesn't matter if it's predicted!"
He started slowly, one step, two steps, and then sped up to run!
Finally, he kicked the football with all his strength!
It’s on the right side!
McGregor jumped to save the ball! But the ball was too fast, and even though he stretched out his arms and body, he still couldn't reach the ball!
The home fans at Celtic Park have opened their mouths wide and are ready to cheer!
"Bang!"
The ball hit the crossbar and bounced high! It bounced directly out of the baseline!
"Yeah!!!" Instead, 7,000 Rangers fans celebrated!
The Rangers players ran into the penalty area, hugging and patting McGregor excitedly!
Balogun roared to the sky!
His penalty and yellow card were both worth it!
Guqiao Hengwu stood there in a daze, covering his face with regret!
Compared with scoring a goal, this one-on-one duel can sometimes change the mood and morale of both sides more.
Gerrard, who had been frowning, relaxed his facial expression and raised his arms to celebrate!
Dong Dazui slammed the table in the live broadcast room to celebrate: "Xiao Rizi is masturbating! Who is better at masturbating than Xiao Rizi?!"
In the barrage:
【you】
【you】
It's You
…
The one minute of stoppage time in the first half passed quickly, and both teams returned to the locker room to prepare for the second half of the game!
"Hey! Chen!" McAllister walked over and called Chen Xiaoliang who was chatting and laughing with McGregor.
"What did you say? We don't remember arranging any special tactics."
When they heard McAllister's question, they both burst into laughter.
"Coach, I didn't say anything. I just told Mac that we should act mysterious and put on a show to scare that Japanese striker."
McCallister suddenly realized and couldn't help laughing: "Hey, you really are a genius!"
