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Chapter 32 Race against time

Kofi Rossiter retracted his gaze, turned his head and asked assistant coach Liam Andrew next to him: "Did you see anything?"

Andrew nodded: "McNeill should be trying to use Wang as bait to attract our defensive attention and create scoring opportunities for others, such as Vitini and Van Ginkel."

"Yeah, that's right." Roster nodded. "It's a good idea, but it's unrealistic. McNeill's understanding of Wang may still be stuck in the days when they played together. Now Wang's threat in front of the goal has dropped drastically. He is no longer the 'China Wang' of the past..."

After Wang Lie came on the court, the two of them observed for five minutes.

In the five minutes of the game, Tyne had two attacks. When they reached the penalty area of ​​​​Herlingham FC, Wang Lie started to run diagonally to help his teammates break the defense line of ​​Herlingham FC and create shooting opportunities for them.

However, his teammates failed to seize these two opportunities: one time the ball was hit high by Vitini, and another time Van Ginkel failed to get the ball and the defender of Hlingham FC cleared it first.

Although there were only these two attacks, Rossiter and Andrew had already seen that this should be a tactic specially designed by McNeill.

As if to prove Rossiter's evaluation of Wang Lie, not long after he said this, Tyne won another chance to attack in the frontcourt.

This time the ball was not passed to Vitini or Van Ginkel.

Instead, it was passed directly to Wang Lie in the penalty area.

At that time, Wang Lie did as he did before, running forward, but he suddenly retreated halfway through the run, leaving a gap of half a body length between him and the Helinghan FC player who was defending him.

It was this half body distance that gave Wang Lie the space to receive the ball and shoot.

But although he got the space to shoot, he failed to seize the opportunity.

The ball passed by his teammate was kicked by him on the toe of his supporting foot while he was retreating. The ball bounced and flew out of the baseline, directly giving a goal kick to Helingham FC!

"Wow, this shot...ha!" Connor Cowley was amused by Wang Lie's kick and didn't know what to say.

Luo Jin was trying desperately to save Wang Lie's reputation:
"Wang Lie kicked the ball while retreating. He didn't adjust his pace, which was quite difficult... But being able to create such a chance to shoot in a crowded penalty area by running shows that Wang Lie's nose in front of the goal is still world-class!"

It feels a bit like "celebrating a funeral as a celebration".

Fortunately, it was a CCTV live broadcast without the barrage function. Otherwise, I don’t know how many “Wang Hei” comments of gloating would have floated across the screen at this time…

At least the outside world was already laughing at this time, with things like "acrobatic master", "comedian", "Down's shot", "left foot stepping on right foot, spiraling up to heaven"... the online social media was filled with a happy atmosphere.

Wang Lie himself was very dissatisfied with the result of this shot. He stomped hard on his left foot - the same foot he had used as support.

Because he was retreating, his supporting foot was in front, not behind. He shot with his right foot, but the ball hit the tip of his left foot...

It has to be said that as a superstar with huge traffic, Wang Lie attracts a lot of attention wherever he goes and becomes the focus of everyone's attention. This has both advantages and disadvantages.

Take the substitute appearance just now for example. If it was any other player, it would just be an ordinary substitution. But for Wang Lie, the commentator and the fans were all excited, as if this was a historic moment.

The downside of such high attention is also obvious.

If this shot was not well taken by an ordinary player, it would be just an ordinary mistake, and no one would remember it in two days at most. But if it happened to Wang Lie, it would become a "famous scene" that would be ridiculed by the whole network for a week, and it might even allow him to enter the "electronics factory" with honor.

Especially after Wang Lie missed the shot, the TV broadcast also gave a shot to the Herlinghan FC coaching booth on the sidelines.

Both the head coach Rost and the assistant coach Andrew of Hellingham FC couldn't help laughing happily.

The comedy effect is really great...

※※※

"...Honestly speaking, his positioning is okay, and his awareness in front of the goal is still first-rate. But his body movements are obviously stiff, not agile and flexible enough..." With an unfading smile, Rost complained to Andrew about Wang Lie and the club management, "This is what our Mr. Kyle Irosted calls the 'strategic goal'."

Andrew was also laughing: "Maybe Mr. Irosted just wants him to help sell more jerseys?"

Talking bad about your boss in private is an important workplace culture that is prevalent around the world.

Of course, during the live broadcast, in order to prevent their words from being interpreted by someone through lip reading, the two people covered their mouths with their hands when talking about the leader behind his back.

Covering his pouting mouth with his hand, Rost said, "Herlingham is not a wealthy club. How many more jerseys can they sell?"

Andrew asked: "Fortunately, he didn't really come to our team in the end...Did Irosted tell you why he didn't come?"

Rossiter shook his head. "I didn't tell him. I guess Wang himself felt that if the coach didn't welcome him, there was no point in coming. To be honest, although people said he chose Tyne to make a big fortune before retiring, I think he still thinks that at Tyne, with the support of coach McNeil, it has nothing to do with money."

Then he said: "If this is the effect after Wang comes on the court, then I think we can press forward appropriately next time, just like before the goal, we continued to put pressure on the Tyne defense line."

Assistant coach Andrew agreed. Out of respect for former top star Wang Lie, they slowed down the tempo of the game, stabilized their defense first, and waited to see how Tyne would play after Wang Lie came on the court.

It has been nearly ten minutes since Wang Lie came on the court. Although Tyne's offensive has improved to a certain extent, it is still far from the result that the two had worried about... In short, Tyne's performance has indeed improved after Wang Lie came on the court, but it is not completely good.

In that case, there is nothing to worry about.

Press forward and attack!

Try to score one more goal and completely defeat this "mercenary" team!
Replicate the previous round of confrontation between the two sides!
※※※

Wang Lie ran across the center line, into his own half, and looked towards Tyne's penalty area.

Hurlingham FC are attacking and have already reached the front of the Tyne penalty area.

However, Wang Lie did not rush back to participate in the defense.

With his current speed, if he goes back to participate in the defense, he won’t be able to get up first when the attack comes.

He had to make a choice.

He could only leave the defense to his teammates and serve as an offensive bridgehead in the front.

Although his speed has decreased, he still has jumping ability and heading ability.

His headers can not only score goals, but also create opportunities for his teammates.

However, to outsiders, this scene of his might be evidence of "strolling in the midfield" and "not participating in defense."

If Tyne failed to hold on to defense this time and lost the ball, Wang Lie, who was watching the show in front, would definitely become the "culprit" of the loss.

Fortunately, Tyne's defense did not make any mistakes this time. Katic kicked the ball into the penalty area before Hlingham FC striker Cutari.

When Wang Lie saw the football flying forward, he immediately ran to the landing point - it was from this time on that he should play a role.

With his more keen and accurate judgment of the landing point of the football, he blocked his position in advance, then jumped and headed the ball in front of Vitini who was making a forward move.

The young Brazilian player didn't need to slow down at all. He stepped on the Hot Wheels, leaned over, pushed the bouncing football forward, and then accelerated to catch up!

"Tain strikes back!"

"Wang Lie's header! Beautiful!"

After Wang Lie completed the header pass and landed, he turned around and sprinted forward.

However, his speed is indeed far from his peak, and it is very difficult to catch up.

Despite this, he did not slow down, but continued to grit his teeth and put all his strength into his legs.

forward!

Must get closer to the goal!
After catching up with the football, Vitini continued to move forward a few steps before looking up to observe the situation in front.

Then he found that Wang Lie was not in front...

In the defensive third zone of Hurlingham FC, there were only the opposing defender who was reorganizing his defensive formation, and Hurlingham FC right back Arthur Cornismagie who was moving towards him.

The latter saw him looking up to observe the situation and planned to step forward to steal the ball.

Vitini caught a glimpse of Kaunismaghi's little move out of the corner of his eye, and almost reflexively pushed the ball to his left with his right foot, while at the same time blocking the ball forward with the inside of his left foot, and thus passed the opponent!
After passing Kaunismaggi, Vitini looked up again. This time, Wang Lie ran up from out of his sight, but had not yet run into the penalty area.

So Vitini simply didn't dribble the ball forward along the side, but instead dribbled the ball diagonally towards the penalty area.

Wang Lie turned his head and saw Vitini dribbling the ball diagonally into the penalty area, but he continued to move straight into the middle of the penalty area.

However, at the top of the free throw arc, he suddenly cut diagonally to the left rib.

Just in time to cross positions with Vitini who was coming with the ball!
While changing positions, Wang Lie did not forget to look at Vitini.

I wanted to give him a signal with my eyes.

Unfortunately, at that time Vitini was concentrating on dribbling the ball and did not notice the look from his idol at all.

In fact, this is not a big problem. As long as Wang Lie can take away the defensive player blocking the middle, he can also create opportunities for Vitini who is dribbling the ball to threaten the goal.

But Hlingham FC goalkeeper Valdimar Adelstenson yelled, "Leave him alone! Guard Vitini!"

His shout successfully made Hellingham FC center back Joey Burgess, who was originally planning to retreat with Wang Lie, give up the idea and instead go to block Vitini.

Vitini looked up at this time. What he saw were two Herlingham FC defenders rushing towards him, and the goal looming in the distance...

He didn't have time to think about anything else and kicked the ball almost instinctively!
At the same time Joey Burgess also stretched out his foot to block.

He clearly felt the football hit his shin guard, then leap high and bounce out of the baseline...

On the Tyne bench, Sonny Dean saw this scene and snorted in his heart:
You shot a fart! You didn't pass the ball to Wang, and you still dare to say you are Wang's fan? ! Damn fake fan!
※※※

When Vitini dribbled the ball and completed the crossover with Wang Lie, the commentator Luo Jin shouted: "Pass it! Pass it!"

He wanted Vitini to pass the ball to Wang Lie.

But Vitini chose to shoot directly. He sighed: "Oh! This choice... Vitini's old problem, he is not very reasonable in handling the key ball in front of the goal. Sometimes he can score a world-class goal or a wonderful assist, but sometimes, like now, he wastes a good opportunity..."

In the camera, Vitini held his head in his hands, looking very regretful.

Then he turned around and made an apologetic gesture in the direction of Wang Lie.

※※※

After seeing Vitini not passing the ball but choosing to shoot, Wang Lie admitted that he was a little dissatisfied at that moment - such a good opportunity, the opponent's defender did not follow me, there was a big gap in front of me, as long as the ball was passed to me, I would be alone...

In the end, you shot the goal yourself!

He was afraid that he was offside, so he stopped and slowed down suddenly after rushing past, waiting for Vitini to pass the ball.

You have to know that this kind of sprinting, stopping suddenly and then starting again is a test of explosive power and physical fitness...

However, seeing Vitini making an apologetic gesture to him, Wang Lie suppressed his unhappiness, went up and patted Vitini on the shoulder, and said to him, "Go take the corner kick."

Then he turned around and waved, calling on his teammates to come up: "Corner kick attack--!"

※※※

Tyne's corner kick was still taken by Vitini, who wanted to kick it directly over Wang Lie's head.

But unfortunately, after the ball was kicked out, it was headed out by Charlie Billington, the central defender of Hurlingham FC.

Hellingham FC also took the opportunity to launch a counterattack.

"Breslin! He made a long diagonal pass to Kutari!"

Mohammed Kutari received a long pass from midfielder Joel Breslin on the wing and dribbled towards the Tyne penalty area.

At this moment, Tyne's two central defenders were in the frontcourt because of the corner kick and had no time to return to defense.

Standing in front of Cutari was Tyne right back Jacob Barnabas.

He didn't dare to rush forward to steal the ball, for fear of being passed by Kutari - the Moroccan international was quite fast, and he didn't need any extraordinary skills in this situation, as long as he could get the ball out and chase it...

Barnabas wanted to fight and retreat, delay time, and create opportunities for his teammates to return to defense.

However, Cutari was unwilling to fall into his rhythm, so after trying a feint, he immediately pushed the ball forward and accelerated to chase!
Barnabas turned around at the same time, and the two of them started a 30-meter sprint on the sidelines.

In the end, Cutari, who took the initiative, had the upper hand. He squeezed Barnabas behind him and dribbled the ball diagonally into the penalty area!
Seeing that Kutari was about to enter the penalty area, Barnabas didn't care about anything else and kicked the ball from the side and back!
He tackled Kutari and the ball to the ground!
A shrill whistle sounded.

"Barnabas committed a foul! Oh, I'm afraid he'll get a card for this action!"

Sure enough, the referee ran up with a yellow card in his hand.

There was a roar of booing from the stands at Lize Park Stadium, all directed at the referee.

"Yellow card... Not bad, not bad. Luckily it was on the wing, if it was in the middle, he might have been sent off with a red card!" Luo Jin was still in shock. "Herlinghan's counterattack just now was too resolute, with two passes, it reached the back half of Tyne. We still have to be careful, after Herlinghan equalized the score, morale was very high. Tyne should be careful not to repeat the same mistake!"

Tyne fans were very unhappy with the referee's decision, thinking that the yellow card was too harsh. What a coincidence, Hurlingham FC's head coach Rossiter was also unhappy with the decision, and he rushed to the sidelines and roared at the fourth official: "This should have been a red card!"

The fourth official ignored him.

He did not continue to protest - he came here just to make his attitude clear and not let the referee team think that their visiting team was easy to bully.

Although Barnabas was not sent off with a red card, receiving a yellow card would become a hidden danger in the next game.

Perhaps this yellow card will be the beginning of the collapse of Tyne's "mercenary army". ※※※

Hurlingham FC's free kick in front of the Tyne penalty area was like a short corner kick, but the quality of their kick was not high.

Midfielder Breslin, who took the free kick, chose to shoot directly, but the ball flew high over the crossbar and into the stands behind the Tyne goal.

Although it was a bit regrettable that no goal was scored, head coach Rossiter still applauded the players on the sidelines, encouraging them to continue playing like this and put further pressure on Tyne.

Tyne's head coach McNeill was also on the sidelines, but he was not dancing around. Instead, he stood with his hands folded across his chest with a slightly solemn expression.

The effect after Wang came on the court was not as good as he had expected. Was he too impatient? He should not have let Wang play in this game?
After all, he had only practiced with the team for less than ten days, and his physical condition was not yet at its best...

Maybe we should give Wang Lie and the team more time?
※※※

Although the free kick did not threaten Tyne's goal, just as Rossiter thought, Hurlingham FC was clearly in the upper hand after that.

Under Rossiter's on-the-spot command, they focused on attacking the right side of Tyne where Barnabas was, which was also their left side.

Forward Kutari and left-back Sule Kasonga took turns to attack Barnabas' defense.

This forced Tyne to shift the focus of his defense over here.

Then they suddenly made a long diagonal pass to Tyne's weak defensive side, threatening the goal guarded by Goetz!

During this period, there was a lot of panic in front of Tyne's goal, and Wang Lie even returned to the penalty area to participate in the defense.

"Another transfer! Cornishmagee! Herlingham's right back has pressed into the Tyne penalty area, be careful!"

While Luo Jin was exclaiming, Arthur Cornismagee stopped the flying football and then pretended to pass it, tricking the Tyne left-back Charlie Cohen who came up to defend and jumped up to block it with his foot. He then dribbled the football to his right foot and then shot it into the far corner with his right foot!
Fortunately, Tyne's attacking midfielder Matthijs van Ginkel returned to defense in time and interfered with him, so the quality of his shot was not high.

The ball he kicked out failed to escape the fingers of Tyne goalkeeper Goetz and was picked directly out of the air by the latter.

After landing, Goetz did not lie on the ground motionless, but quickly stood up and threw the football to the forward Vitini who had already moved to the left!

He could see clearly that since Cornishmaggie had come up, the defense on this side of Hellingham FC must be weak!

We must fight back! Only by threatening the goal of Hlingham FC with a counterattack can their recent stormy offensive end. Otherwise, if they are suppressed like this, they will lose the ball sooner or later!

Wang Lie, who was originally near the center line, saw the football being thrown towards Vitini. He did not choose to turn around and rush forward, but took two steps back and moved closer to Vitini.

Because along with the football ran towards Vitini was Hurlingham FC's defensive midfielder Daniel White.

In order to prevent Vitini from getting entangled in a fight with White, he had to go up and help.

Sure enough, when Vitini was waiting for the ball to come, he saw Wang Lie and understood what Wang Lie wanted to express in his eyes.

So he didn't stop the ball, raised his foot and kicked the ball in the air directly to Wang Lie, then turned around and rushed forward!

When White saw the ball being passed, he quickly stopped and turned back to Wang Lie.

Wang Lie took a step forward, pretending to catch the ball, but he jumped up and used the heel of his right foot to knock the ball hard to the left side, which was the direction Vitini was sprinting!

"Wow! Nice heel pass!"

"Wang Lie! Good shot!"

As the cheers at Lize Park grew louder and louder, the ball flew forward and Vitini chased after it.

After completing the pass, Wang Lie turned around immediately after landing and rushed forward.

"Tain's counterattack is coming again!"

※※※

While Vitini was chasing the ball, the players of Hlingham FC were frantically returning to defense.

The closest ones are of course the two central defenders.

Joey Burgess pointed at Vitini and shouted to Billington, who was closest, "Go and get him!"

He himself stayed in the middle.

His teammates were quickly returning to defense, and as long as Billington could successfully hold back Vitini, Tyne's counterattack would not be able to succeed.

As Vitini caught up with the football, Billington also came over.

Just like Barnabas defending Cutari just now, Billington was fighting and retreating, keeping a reasonable distance to prevent Vitini from rushing directly.

Facing Billington, Vitini tried to create space by shaking and feinting, but the experienced Billington didn't fall for it.

In desperation, Vitini had to slow down.

At this time he looked up again and saw that Wang Lie had already rushed over.

※※※

Although it was a little difficult, Wang Lie finally arrived.

He looked up and saw Vitini slowing down and looking at him.

After their eyes met in the air, Wang Lie did not stop and ran straight into Joey Burgess, the central defender in the middle of the Hellingham FC defense.

At the same time, Vitini pretended to accelerate in a straight line, causing Charlie Billington to take a step back. He then used the heel of his left foot to knock the football to the right side of his body, and stopped suddenly and turned to change direction!

Cut inside!

When Wang Lie bumped into Burgess, he seemed to be setting a screen for Vitini. He stood in front of Burgess to cover Vitini's movement.

Burgess became anxious. He raised his hand to push Wang Lie aside, then walked around and pounced on Vitini.

At this time, Hlingham FC's left back Sule Kasonga had quickly returned to defense from the frontcourt and pressed towards the middle from the flank.

Billington, who had just been thrown away by Vitini, also pounced on him again.

The three men vowed to surround Vitini!
Just when they focused their attention on Vitini who was dribbling the ball, Wang Lie, who was pushed away by Burgess, pulled sideways and placed himself in the blind spot of the three defensive players.

Sonny Dean, who saw this scene on the bench, suddenly became nervous:

Vitini, you fake fan, why don’t you pass the ball?
※※※

Vitini did want to pass the ball, but his last step made the ball a little too long, so he had to kick the ball before Burgess and Kasonga.

Now he can't precisely control the power and accuracy of the pass...

He did pass the ball to the left rib from Burgess's side, but the speed of the ball was obviously too fast!
Dean's eyes widened when he saw this scene, and he had a thousand swear words in his heart that wanted to rush out.

Damn boy, can you fucking kick?!
How can Wang chase after a pass like this?!

You think he was 31 when he won the seven championships?
Fuck!
※※※

Wang Lie kept turning his head to look at Vitini, but he couldn't start early because that would make him offside.

However, he did not stand there waiting for Vitini to pass the ball, but continued to move horizontally - he could predict that Vitini would definitely pass the ball diagonally in front of him. At his current speed, it would be better to start chasing the ball from a distance, using distance to buy time and be more sure of catching the ball...

But he only had time to move two steps sideways before the ball was passed to him by Vitini!
It was indeed a diagonal pass, but with a little more force!
Wang Lie couldn’t care less about that. This opportunity wasn’t good, but it was still an opportunity!
But now he can't afford to waste even one opportunity!

In order to exert more force, Wang Lie clenched his teeth, but his lungs needed a lot of air. He could only suck air madly through the gaps between his teeth, just like an aging naturally aspirated engine, roaring and burning desperately, but the output power was much less than before.

With every step he took, his knees made a teeth-grinding scream, reminding him:
You are already thirty-seven years old!

You’ll be thirty-eight soon!

Sorry, Wang Lie, we are old and can no longer support your ambitions...

Stop chasing! You can't catch up with that ball!
Why torture yourself?
You're already good enough, you don't need to prove yourself anymore! You're really great!

Please, stop! Stop...

Wang Lie turned a deaf ear to him and buried the painful moans from his body in his heavy breathing.

He rushed towards the football with gritted teeth, veins bulged on his neck and forehead, and even his eyeballs were bulging outwards!
He was trying so hard and it was so difficult, it seemed that he was not chasing the football, but racing against time...

※※※

Hlingham FC goalkeeper Adelstenson initially thought that Vitini's pass was too long and Wang Lie would not be able to catch up.

But he soon realized that the situation was not right, and quickly abandoned the door and attacked!

Because he found that Wang Lie had a good chance of catching up with the football at a small angle at the far end!
Although it was a small angle, he didn't dare to gamble!
At this moment, the golden signboard of "the current top scorer in football" shone brightly in his mind.

"Vitini passes the ball!"

“A bit too big!”

"Wang Lie!"

"Adelstenson strikes!"

While running, Wang Lie kept calculating the relative distance between himself and the football to see if he could get a shot.

He doesn't know how many goals he has to score to be one year younger...

But no matter how many balls it takes, there has to be a start, right?

There has to be a goal!
Goal!

Goal!

Let’s score a fucking goal first!

In the last "window period" calculated by Wang Lie, he finally caught up with the football, so he bent his right leg to support his body, swung his left leg, and kicked the football that was about to roll out of the shooting range!

But...it seems like there's still a little bit to go!
Wang Lie leaned his body to the left and pushed out with his right leg, simply throwing off his entire center of gravity!

Use the force of twisting the waist to move the left leg forward a little bit more!
Then he hit the football!
"Wang Lie!"

"Wang Lie!"

"Wang Lie shoots--!!"

Halfway through the attack, Hlingham FC goalkeeper Adelstenson saw a white light rushing towards his face. He waved his hands upwards reflexively, but nothing hit him, and his face didn't touch anything either...

Just a gust of wind blew past his head, making his scalp numb and his heart cold.

He turned his head and looked back, and out of the corner of his eye he saw the white light suddenly stop at the upper corner of the goal behind him...

Hit the crossbar?
Do not!
Pool is online!
The next second, Adelstenson felt as if he was in the center of a thunderstorm. The cheers from the Leather Park Stadium almost made him deaf. He could hear nothing except the rumbling noise...

“Ball…ball! The ball is in!! The ball is in!! Ahhhhh! The ball is in!!! Wang Lie! Wang Lie scored a goal!!”

"Wang--!!! Ohhhhhhh! Unbelievable!! Unbelievable! He scored a goal! After his debut for Tayne, he scored a goal!"

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!! WANG! WANG!! WANG-LIE!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!"

※※※

They said I was dead.

Those who are greedy for new things, nostalgic for the old, and tell lies in a serious manner.

Living in disarray, rotting, not daring to start and even less to end.

Pretend to obey, secretly disobey, whitewash tomorrow and tamper with yesterday.

The way I came and went are all vaguely visible.

They wanted to hear me die.

Do they include you?

(Note 1)

※※※

Note 1: This passage is excerpted from the promotional copy of the 2017 animated film "The Return of the Great Sage", the author is unknown.

I liked it very much when I read it, so I copied it down, and now I have finally used it in Wang Lie's story.

In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to ask for monthly tickets and subscriptions from everyone!

(End of this chapter)