Chapter 4: Counterattack starts now!
After barely holding on for twenty-five minutes, the substitute team's goal was finally lost.
Steve and the wing forward made a series of wall-like two-pass cooperation on the left side, leaving the substitute team's wing defenders and the midfielder defending him behind. Then he made a beautiful cut inside to the front of the penalty area and shot the ball in a rainbow-like arc in the air and shot into the right side of the goal.
1 to 0!
Ryan Mason couldn't help but applaud Steve for his wonderful performance.
The players on the substitute team were even more convinced, as if Steve was born to be the best among them, and scoring such a wonderful goal was just a basic skill of his.
Only Chen Xiaoliang refused to accept the defeat. He watched every movement of Steve and even the swaying of his clothes was clearly seen and remembered in his mind.
Another fifteen minutes passed and the game reached the 40th minute.
Ryan Mason turned and walked to Chen Xiaoliang and patted him on the shoulder.
Chen Xiaoliang understood that it was time for him to take the stage.
"Go up there and get a feel for it first, so you don't have to warm up again in the second half."
“Thank you, Coach!”
Chen Xiaoliang took off his coat and walked to the sidelines.
All the players on and off the court were surprised. They didn't expect that the head coach would replace Chen Xiaoliang at this time.
The players of the main team were secretly delighted, thinking that now the substitute team had one player sent off, and the next game would definitely be easier.
The substitute team was dejected, having been pinned down in the half court and unable to move. With Chen Xiaoliang, who knew nothing, on board, how could they play the game?
However, Ryan Mason also had his own plans in mind.
Now that Mourinho is at the training ground in person, he should let his favorite student Steve play his best. If he can enter the first team one day earlier, even if he is a substitute in a useless game like the League Cup, it is far better than the U18 league and can help Steve improve quickly.
At the same time, the game reached the 40th minute, when the physical strength of the first half was approaching its lowest point. Substituting Chen Xiaoliang at this time could not only allow him to play for a while longer, but also relieve Steve's pressure and allow him to save his strength for the second half.
Steve on the field naturally understood all of this. Seeing Chen Xiaoliang running to his side, he said sarcastically, "Hey! Chen! Don't cry and go home when I shake you upside down later, haha!"
Chen Xiaoliang gave him a sinister look, and the murderous aura in his eyes made Steve shut his mouth immediately.
The game continues!
Except for Ryan Mason, everyone else was stunned in surprise. They actually saw Chen Xiaoliang following Steve like a piece of taffy.
Whether attacking or defending, with or without the ball, wherever Steve runs, Chen Xiaoliang will follow immediately.
What kind of kick is this?!
Moreover, how could a player whose registered position is forward do defensive work?
The players couldn't help but look at Ryan Mason, only to see that he looked calm and expressionless.
"Is this a special arrangement by the coach? Intensive training for Steve?"
"Never mind... why think so much , there's no way Chen Xiaoliang can defend against Steve!"
Chen Xiaoliang also understood that although his steal value was full, his physical fitness was still mediocre. There was still a clear gap compared to Steve, who had received professional training since childhood.
Fortunately, I had just come on the court and had the advantage of physical strength, so I was able to follow him closely.
Five minutes passed quickly and without any extra time, the referee blew the whistle to end the first half.
The two teams returned to the bench respectively. Ryan Mason came to the substitute team and arranged a defensive counterattack for the players. This is also the most suitable style of play for this team at present. When their technical ability and physical fitness are not as good as those of the main team, blindly attacking will only create more defensive loopholes.
As for the main team, it was Steve who was talking incessantly to the players.
"Listen, keep pressing forward in the second half! Pass the ball to me more often."
"Okay! Steve, I'm waiting for your assist. How can just one win be enough?"
The players echoed.
"Why did the coach let that Red Country kid keep an eye on you?"
one player asked.
Another player nudged the questioner with his elbow and winked across the court.
Everyone looked over and their faces changed drastically!
"Why is he here?!"
"No wonder, the coach wants Steve to perform well!"
Steve couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth, but he said: "We all have to perform well and score at least three more goals in the second half, and they have to be beautiful!"
"good!"
Ryan Mason, who was arranging tactics on the other side, heard the main force's shouts, knew what happened, and shook his head.
The second half begins!
The home team kicks off!
After taking the ball from the center circle, the main team's players pressed forward like waves, constantly compressing the substitute team's space through short passes and pushing the substitute team's formation back to the penalty area.
In order to maintain possession of the ball, the main team's four defenders all crossed the half court, and the two full-backs acted like wingers, frequently switching positions with the wing forwards, cutting inside, and attracting defensive players to leave their defensive positions.
Ryan Mason couldn't suppress his relief and pride when watching this scene. After all, this team was coached by him. Such tacit and wonderful cooperation also reflected the tactical qualities of a youth training coach.
The only thing that was exactly the same as the last five minutes of the first half was that Chen Xiaoliang was still following Steve closely, like a shadow, never leaving his side.
Chen Xiaoliang has not forgotten the importance of this game. The course of the game can determine his career as a player, and the result of the game can also determine whether he can complete the task arranged by the system.
After several passes, the ball came to Steve's feet. When the players of the main team saw Steve holding the ball, they all moved towards the opponent's penalty area. After all, he might pass a threatening ball at any time, so everyone naturally couldn't miss the opportunity.
Steve didn't take Chen Xiaoliang seriously at all. After more than two months of training together, he already knew how capable this Red Country kid was. Even the youngest player in the team was much better than him.
He took a few steps sideways, carefully observing the movements of his teammates. Suddenly, he found an open space in the penalty area. When he was about to make a lob pass, he found that he had kicked nothing!
When I looked down, the ball was gone!
What the hell!?
At this time, Chen Xiaoliang had already run behind him with the ball.
"Damn, this kid!"
The fleeting passing space was inexplicably destroyed, and before he could see clearly what was going on, Steve was furious. He strode back and made a tackle, knocking Chen Xiaoliang down with the ball.
“Beep!”
The referee whistled and Steve fouled!
The referee took out the yellow card!
Free kick for the substitute team!
"What the hell! Am I seeing this right?!"
"That kid actually stole Steve's ball in an instant?!"
"Steve was obviously too excited! That tackle was just for revenge!"
The players on the bench whispered to each other.
Ryan Mason was also surprised. He had thought that Chen Xiaoliang was just speaking in anger, thinking that it was the last game, so he would satisfy the wish of this hardworking boy from the Red Country. But he didn't expect that he was serious! He actually stole the ball for him! The stole was so clean and decisive!
"Steve!" Ryan Mason shouted from the sidelines. Seeing Steve looking back at him, he pointed his finger at his temple.
This was a warning for him to calm down.
Although Steve was angry, he immediately realized that he was impulsive, because this game was not just a team training, but an important game that could change his life!
When he thought of this, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Mourinho. Seeing that he seemed to be looking at him, he couldn't help feeling nervous and excited!
