Reverse.

Chapter 52 Just the beginning

"Boissier steals the ball! The Scouse people counterattack!"

"Chi Zhen cuts in from the side, he's asking for the ball!"

"Boissier passes the ball...back post! Delmora!"

"Del Mora!!! Shoot - the ball goes in! The ball goes in! It couldn't be a more perfect start!"

Although Wang Lie's home team is Tyne, the Scots also have another Chinese player, Chi Zhen.

Therefore, as a Chinese commentator, Luo Jin should maintain a neutral and objective attitude in this game. He should not be biased like he was when Tyne played against Hlingham FC at home.

So he cheered loudly for the Scouse people after Delmora scored.

His partner Zhao Chuanfeng sighed: "Tain's mistake is really... fatal! When the ball is being pressed, you can't just pass it to the middle! Because you can't observe the situation in the middle at all... Now that we are behind at the start, it will be difficult for Tain to play this game..."

In the broadcast footage, Delmora, who scored the goal, turned and ran towards the corner flag area behind him, then slid on his knees passionately!
His Scouse teammates ran up from behind him and celebrated the goal with him.

Chi Zhen was also among them.

Although he neither assisted nor completed the shot.

But it was his running that created space for Delmora, so he can be regarded as a "behind-the-scenes hero."

Others may not know, but Delmora must know. So after Chi Zhen ran over, he turned around and took the initiative to hug Chi Zhen, and praised him: "Good run, Chi!"

Seeing this scene, Sky Sports commentator Joe Wesley praised: "A lot of credit for this goal goes to this Chinese guy! It was his smart positioning that finally turned a chance into a goal! If he didn't run to the middle after Boissier intercepted the ball, but continued to sprint on the wing, he wouldn't be able to really threaten Tyne's penalty area! It was his diagonal run from the wing to the middle that completely disrupted Tyne's hastily organized defense... A very smart choice, this is a great ability to read the game! I know that some people were comparing Wang and Chi before the game, and I also know why they compared them like that. Now, only one minute into the game, Chi is already leading Wang 1:0!"

Wesley's private goods are about to overflow...

※※※

He Zhenyong in the VIP box really didn't expect that there would be a goal less than a minute into the game, and Chi Zhen played a very important role in this goal.

However, he remembered his pre-match reminder and remained calm in the face of the goal, like an old monk in meditation. It was impossible to guess his inner thoughts at the moment through his expression.

At this moment, he was feeling happy for Chi Zhen's performance.

Chi Zhen is in really good shape recently!
Although his position on the field and tactical role in the Scouse team are different from those in the Chinese national team, he can still complete the tasks assigned by the head coach very well, which fully demonstrates how good his understanding and execution of tactics are!

Then He Zhenyong turned his gaze to the center of the court - the figure was standing in the center circle again, waiting for the kick-off.

Although if Wang Lie performs well in this game, it will indeed give him a headache.

But he still couldn't help but be curious:
In your Tyne debut against Hurlingham FC, facing the doubts, ridicule and pressure that lasted for more than half a year, you scored twice.

So now faced with such a devastating start, how would you respond?
Wang Lie.

※※※

Wang Lie stood in the center circle, this time without the ball at his feet.

He was yelling to his teammates behind him: "Kick the ball up! Kick it up! We're going to kick off!"

In order to ensure that his teammates behind him could hear him, he waved his arms and gestured to them.

However, most of the teammates have not yet recovered from their stunned mental state. Only Matej Katic, who is also a veteran who has experienced many battles, took action first.

After he picked up the football from the goal, he kicked it forward.

Wang Lie ran to the spot where the football landed, stopped the ball, returned to the center circle with his hands, bent down and placed it in place.

Then he stood up, turned around, and clapped his hands vigorously to encourage his teammates: "It's only one minute! We still have a full ninety minutes!"

He looked at the dejected Vitini and called out his name loudly: "Vitini! Cheer up!"

Then he continued to call the roll: "Van Ginkel! Dean! Parker! And Ramosa! Cheer up! The game has just begun!"

He could only call out the names of teammates who were nearby, because even if he shouted, no one would be able to hear him if the teammates were farther away.

However, the people whose names he mentioned did not make any response, as if they had not heard it at all...

After all, this kind of verbal encouragement is just like a routine matter.

Every captain would do this after losing the ball, and Wang Lie seems to be no exception.

※※※

“The game has just begun!”

As everyone gathered together to celebrate the goal, captain Mason Harper shook his fist at them.

"Leading by one goal is definitely not our goal! Keep up the good work and score another goal before they come to their senses! Push forward and start grabbing the ball from the forward line! Wang said we are afraid of them, so let him see who is afraid of whom! Destroy them completely in half a game! No matter if they had an internal fight before, let them fight during the halftime break!"

Everyone shouted excitedly:

"Fuck them! Fuck!"

Apart from a few new players who joined the team last summer, the vast majority of the Scouse team have a deep hatred for Wang Lie - on the one hand, it is because Wang Lie kicked away the league championship last season, and on the other hand, hatred for Wang Lie can also be regarded as part of the "team culture".

Wasn’t there a joke that had never been officially acknowledged but had been widely circulated and not officially denied?
It is said that for every new player who joins the Scots, if he wants to win the support of the Scots fans and integrate into the team as quickly as possible, the best way is to tackle Wang Lie to the ground in the game against Sofia United.

It was exaggerated to knock him to the ground, because he was also sent off with a red card.

However, showing a tough attitude towards Wang Lie, provoking him, confronting him head-on... and other actions against Wang Lie did easily win the favor of the Scouse fans.

This is real and not an urban legend.

So some people joked that the induction ceremony for new players of the Scouse team was "fucking Wang Lie".

Zhao Chuanfeng said that Wang Lie became more excited when fighting the Scouse people, and it seemed that the Scouse people came specifically to buff Wang Lie.

But from the perspective of the Scouse supporters, their team also gets excited when playing against Wang Lie.

Just like "force", this stimulation is also mutual.

And at the moment, it seems that the BUFF effect enjoyed by the Scouse people is better.

After all, the BUFF given by the Scouse people can only work on Wang Lie alone.

However, the BUFF given by Wang Lie is effective for the entire team of Scouse.

If the whole team is performing well, what’s the point of Wang Lie performing well alone?
A single tiger cannot defeat a pack of wolves!
※※※

McNeill frowned.

He had already cursed the moment the ball was lost, and now he has recovered from that feeling of disappointment and anger.

Although not fully recovered...

What he should consider now is what to do next?
Originally, he hoped to use the home advantage after the opening, make a mad rush and try to disrupt the rhythm of the Scouse people.

If they can score a goal at the start, the game will be in their favor.

If you can't score, it doesn't matter.

After that, the team practiced tactics for almost a week and slowly dealt with the Scouse people.

Unexpectedly, it was the Scouse who succeeded in grabbing the game…

What's next?
Should we continue to stick to the original plan and press the Scouse team high?
Or should we shrink back and fight back defensively?
After thinking it over again and again, McNeill finally made a decision as he watched the Scouse players running back to their own half happily and waving to their fans in the second-tier stands.

The leading Scouse team is in high spirits and has great momentum. They will continue to attack, so if we defend and counterattack, it should be within their expectations. They may even launch a high-pressure defense in our half.

In such a situation, if we play a defensive counterattack, it may seem that we have consolidated our defense, but in fact we are just passively taking a beating. If we do not fight back at all, it will be difficult for us to survive.

Crouching down and holding your head to get hit when you just lose the ball will cause the team's morale to drop.

Instead of doing that, it’s better to grab them all!

If we are in chaos, their rhythm will also be chaotic, and then it will be a chaotic battle!
The most important thing is that the Scouse people would never have thought that we would do the opposite!

Just do it.

McNeill walked to the sidelines, blew his whistle to remind the players to look over, and then gestured to tell them:

Follow the original plan!
※※※

Wang Lie stood alone in the center circle of the field with his hands on his hips, a football under his feet.

Seeing this scene, Wang Ziqi in front of the TV couldn't help but complain: "Strange, why do I feel like I've seen this somewhere before?"

Then he asked himself and answered himself: "Ah! I remember! It was just two minutes ago!"

Tang Xingmei glanced at her son but did not stop him from being sarcastic.

They lost the ball at the beginning, and the loss was caused by the mistake of their own players, so she was a little unhappy.

But in front of her two children, as a mother, she has to set a good example and not swear...

So it seems that it is not impossible to let my son be my substitute.

"Okay, with the referee's whistle, the game started again! It's only been a few minutes since Wang kicked off last time. If we only count the game time, it's actually one minute... The game has only been going on for fifty-seven seconds, and the Scouse team has scored a goal and taken the lead! This is also the fastest goal so far this season! The Scouse team got off to a perfect start, but for Wang, it was a hell of a start!"

The voice of commentator Connor Cowley came from the TV speakers.

Tang Xingmei also sat up straight again, and then patted the two children: "Come on, Dad!"

Daughter Wang Zilin was the most obedient, shouting in a baby voice: "Come on, Dad!"

The son Wang Ziqi was not so obedient. He did not follow his mother's instructions completely, but took the initiative to sing the song that Sofia fans used to cheer for his father:
"FIGHTING! FIGHTING! CHINA WANG!"

※※※After the game resumed, the Scouse players rushed into Tyne's half along with the football.

They followed the ball and launched a frantic pressing campaign in the frontcourt.

In response, Wang Lie raised his arms in front and shouted to his teammates: "Long pass! Don't fall behind!"

Some people may think that Wang Lie’s command is blind - the opponent is pressing high, isn’t it just hoping that you will pass the ball forward in a hurry and then change the ball possession?

But Wang Lie was actually right.

Because Tyne also wanted to press the Scouse team, if he passed the ball back in his backcourt, it would only fulfill the Scouse team's wish. At this time, he had to give the ball to the opponent so that Tyne could press.

But you definitely cannot give the ball to the opponent in your own half, as that will only put the goal directly in danger.

So you have to pass it long.

Make a long pass to the frontcourt, attack if possible, if not then launch high pressing on the spot.

His teammates also understood what he meant, so midfielder Ramosa passed the ball directly back to goalkeeper Goetz from the midfield.

Without stopping the ball, Goetz made a long pass!
He didn't dare stop the ball because he had just caught a glimpse of a Scouse player approaching him at high speed out of the corner of his eye.

As soon as he kicked the football, the Scouse player "flew" over.

It’s Chi Zhen!
He jumped in the air, his legs coming out first, then his back.

If Goetz stopped and passed the ball, the ball might have hit Chi Zhen's leg or back and bounced into the goal...

So after Chi Zhen "flew" over and his shoe sole brushed past the football, a huge exclamation was heard from the stands of Lize Park Stadium.

Obviously Tyne fans were also scared.

"Chi Zhen! Oh, what a pity!" Luo Jin really felt sorry for Chi Zhen.

Of course, he hopes that Wang Lie will perform well, but that doesn't mean he hopes Chi Zhen will perform badly.

He is not one of those extreme fans who believe in black and white.

As for the fact that both Wang Lie and Chi Zhen have performed well, what should the national team do... shouldn't this issue be considered by coach He Zhenyong?
What does it have to do with him as a football commentator?

Zhao Chuanfeng said: "Chi Zhen felt very good today. He dared to make moves and did a good job of anticipating in advance. I think if he keeps playing like this, he might be able to score a goal!"

※※※

Goetz kicked the ball to the front court, but the ball did not change hands immediately.

Relying on his accurate judgment of the landing point of the football and his advantage in heading, Wang Lie passed the ball to Van Ginkel who was pressing forward.

Van Ginkel then passed the ball forward to Sonny Dean.

At this time, just like they had practiced in previous training, although Wang Lie was playing as a center forward, he retreated relatively deep and reached the midfield.

The two "wingers" Dean and Vitini were at the forefront.

As soon as Dean got the ball, Scouse left back Gabriel Atala rushed up.

Dean pretended to go straight down the wing and made a move as if he was going to break through with the ball, thus tricking Atala into turning around.

Then Dean pushed the ball to the middle and cut inside!

But soon the Scouse defenses built a wall in front of him.

Although he succeeded in getting rid of Atala, he was unable to get rid of the entire Scouse defense line.

Under the opponent's relentless pressure, Dean gradually brought the ball into a dead end.

At this time, he heard Wang Lie's voice behind him: "Dean!"

Even though this was the sound he hated to hear the most, both at the training ground and in his crib at his mother's house.

But now, it must be said that this voice was like a guiding light, pointing him in the direction.

Hearing the shout, he quickly used his heel to kick the football towards the direction of the sound.

Behind him, Wang Lie and two Scouse players rushed towards the football.

Wang Lie swung his right leg towards the football, as if he was going to shoot directly at the goal.

So the two Scouse players accelerated together, preparing to get in front of Wang Lie and snatch the ball first, otherwise they had to block his shot.

It turned out that Wang Lie's shot was just a feint. When he swung his right leg up, he didn't shoot but pulled the ball back!
Pull the ball, stop suddenly, gently knock the ball to the side with the outside of your right foot, then twist your body and push off the ground to accelerate!
He shook off two Scouse players in one go!
"Wow! King! Nice escape!"

The Tyne fans in the stands, who were somewhat demoralized because of conceding a goal at the start of the game, were cheered up and cheered loudly.

While getting rid of him, Wang Lie was already observing the situation of the Scouse goal out of the corner of his eye.

He found that because of Dean's previous lateral dribbling, the Scouse goalkeeper Leonardo Lucero was standing a little too close to the middle.

So, before he had fully adjusted his center of gravity, he suddenly raised his right foot and kicked the football towards the upper corner of the goal!

That was a position that goalkeeper Lucero could hardly reach!

No matter how good Argentina goalkeeper Lucero is at making amazing saves, there is a theoretical blind spot that he can never reach!

This sudden shot was very forced, so after Wang Lie completed the shot, he fell backwards to the ground.

But during this process his eyes were fixed on the football.

As he watched, the ball flew past the Scouse defenders and headed straight for the spot he was aiming at.

Goalkeeper Lucero was indeed trying hard to dive back, but he really couldn't do it!

The point Wang Lie chose to shoot was too tricky!
As long as the ball is within the door frame, it will go in!
Everyone couldn't help but widen their eyes when they saw the football flying towards the goal.

Some people's hearts were pounding:
Could it be that the Scouse team had just scored and Tyne was about to equalize the score? !

"Wang Lie suddenly shot!"

"Wang—Ouch!"

In full view of the crowd, the football flew over the crossbar and out of the bottom line...

※※※

"Oops! The ball didn't go in! The ball didn't go in! The ball Wang shot went over the crossbar and didn't go in!"

"what--!"

Wang Ziqi, who was sitting in front of the TV, held his head in his hands, leaned to one side, and almost rolled off the sofa.

Sister Wang Zilin also screamed with regret.

Their mother was stronger than any of them. She just said “oops”, but the disappointment in her heart was like an iceberg below the sea level, bottomless.

How she wished her husband could equalize the score right after the opponent scored a goal.

This was not her unrealistic wishful thinking. Her husband had really performed like this before - after the opponent scored a goal, he took advantage of the kick-off opportunity and scored in one attack.

She also remembers how the media praised her husband at the time:

He was like a god descending from heaven!
※※※

The football had already flown to Scouse goalkeeper Lucero before he could jump into the air, so he was unable to jump up. Instead, he stood on the ground, turned around and looked back at the football flying over the crossbar.

After surviving the disaster, he immediately pointed at Wang Lie lying on the ground and shouted to his teammates: "What are you doing! Don't give him any room to kick!"

In fact, his accusation was unreasonable, as his teammates had already tried their best. It was because Wang Lie broke away from the defense and his shooting action was too fast that it was so sudden.

Faced with such a rapid connection, the Scouse defenders were simply unable to react.

In other words, the sudden kick with such a quick connection actually proves that Wang Lie shot hastily.

Perhaps it was for this reason that the ball went over the crossbar in the end...

But Lucero didn't care about that. He just knew that his heart was beating very fast and he needed to yell to calm himself down.

He still remembered how he had picked up the ball from the goal three times in front of Wang Lie in the game last season...

He doesn't want to relive the past.

For his teammates, perhaps as long as they defeated Wang Lie in this game, they would have achieved revenge.

But for goalkeeper Gabriel Lucero, if he fails to keep Wang Lie scoreless in this game, then his revenge will not be considered successful!

※※※

Wang Lie saw the football fly over the crossbar, closed his eyes helplessly, and fell backwards to the ground.

Just a little bit closer!
"Just a little bit, King!"

He opened his eyes and saw Dutch midfielder Van Ginkel reaching out his hand to him.

After Wang Lie was pulled up by him, he patted Wang Lie on the back and comforted him, "What a pity..."

At this moment, there was no trace of regret or pity in Wang Lie's eyes and tone.

He told Van Ginkel: "This is just the beginning, we still have a chance!"

After saying that, he turned around, clapped his hands vigorously, and shouted to his other teammates: "This is just the beginning! It's just the beginning! Everyone keep up the good work!"

(End of this chapter)