CHAPTER 1880: CHAPTER 983: THE GOALKEEPER AND FORWARD WHO TURNED THE TIDE (PART 2)

"The match between the German Tank Team and Baxi Team was truly spectacular," Ding Yue affirmed.

After all, in the game between the German Tank Team and Baxi Team, there were quite a few goals scored from both sides, and both teams attacked fiercely, making the match highly entertaining.

"However, our game against Baxi Team this time doesn’t have that kind of revenge battle animosity, so both sides played more cautiously, as they both wanted to advance to the semi-finals. Naturally, the entertainment value of the game was not as high as the one between the German Tank Team and Baxi Team."

Ding Yue briefly analyzed the reason.

This reason is indeed very realistic.

Both Baxi Team and the national team want to defeat their opponent and advance to the semi-finals, so both sides attacked under a cautious defense, which certainly couldn’t maximize the entertainment value of the match, unless both sides started to really let loose, in which case it would become extremely exciting.

In the last moments of the first half, both the national team and Baxi Team created scoring opportunities but didn’t manage to score.

Either the shots were off target.

Or they were saved by the goalkeeper.

Until the end of the first half, the score remained at one to one, as the referee’s whistle blew, signaling the end of the first half. The players gradually left the field to prepare for halftime break.

As the players gradually left the field, during halftime, the cheerleader squad came up to perform.

I have to say, these cheerleaders have pretty decent figures and looks.

However, these cheerleaders are from America, and Ding Yue doesn’t quite appreciate the "beauty" of foreigners, though sometimes, there are foreign girls who can make him "fall in love" at first sight.

But all these are just clouds passing by.

Nowadays, in Ding Yue’s eyes, it’s all about business.

"Principal Ding, the first half was intense, but it ended in a one-to-one draw. It seems success or failure will come in the second half. I still hope our national team can make it to the semi-finals and achieve better results," Principal Xu Dongcheng said honestly to Principal Ding.

Any national would hope for the national team to reach the semi-finals, though it’s just a hope. Even if the national team loses to Baxi Team and doesn’t make it to the semi-finals, it’s still fine.

After all, reaching the quarter-finals is already the national team’s peak performance so far.

"Yeah."

Ding Yue nodded and smiled, saying, "I also hope our national team can make it to the semi-finals. How about we go to the locker room to cheer them on and boost their morale?"

"Sure."

Xu Dongcheng was delighted to accept Principal Ding’s invitation to go and see the national team players.

So.

The two temporarily left the VIP audience area and headed towards the national team’s locker room.

In just a short while, Ding Yue and Principal Xu Dongcheng arrived at the national team’s locker room. Here, besides resting, the national team players were discussing coordination and small strategies for the second half.

For the national team, the major strategies are set by the head coach, but the match on the field is ever-changing, often requiring mutual coordination between teammates to execute small tactical operations, making it easier to score. Therefore, the head coach has completely entrusted the design of such small tactics to the players themselves.

After all, only the players can truly understand how well they can coordinate with each other.

"Hello, Principal Ding!"

The national team players greeted Principal Ding in unison when they saw him.

"Carry on."

Ding Yue signaled everyone not to be too formal and to continue with their tasks.

Ding Yue and Principal Xu Dongcheng came just to check the current state of the national team.

"Principal Ding."

Coach Hou Xiangming walked towards Principal Ding: "And who might this be?"

Hou Xiangming didn’t know Principal Xu Dongcheng, so seeing him accompanying Principal Ding, he curiously asked.

"Coach Hou, let me introduce you, this is Principal Xu Dongcheng of the renowned Westlight University in our country," Ding Yue briefly introduced him to Hou Xiangming.

He purposefully elevated Westlight University a bit. While it is quite famous among private universities domestically, calling it renowned might be a bit exaggerated.

But since Principal Xu Dongcheng was right there, giving some compliments surely wouldn’t hurt.

"Hello, Principal Xu!"

Upon hearing this, Coach Hou Xiangming quickly greeted Principal Xu Dongcheng, realizing that both he and Principal Ding were heads of private universities.

"Coach Hou, right? I’ve watched your team play matches over the past two years. I consider myself a loyal fan of the national team. It’s my pleasure to visit our team in the locker room today under Principal Ding’s guidance. I hope you have a successful second half, push forward bravely, and achieve great results!"

Principal Xu Dongcheng expressed his excitement and anticipation for the national team in the second half to Coach Hou Xiangming with a smile.

"Mm-hmm."

Coach Hou Xiangming nodded immediately, his eyes filled with determination, saying, "We will do our utmost."

After all, this person was Principal Ding’s friend and also a loyal fan of the national team. His expectations naturally represented Principal Ding’s expectations too.

Thinking of Principal Ding’s support for the team over the years, enabling these young people to pursue their football dreams with him, how could Hou Xiangming not be grateful?

Even for Principal Ding and for Principal Xu Dongcheng, Hou Xiangming in the second half would have his players give it their all, strive to defeat Baxi Team, and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

Before leaving after checking on the national team, Ding Yue didn’t give any special instructions, just expressing the hope for good news from them. Then he and Principal Xu Dongcheng left the national team’s locker room and returned to the VIP audience area.

When Ding Yue and Xu Dongcheng returned to the VIP audience area, the second half of the game was about to start, with the national team and Baxi Team players returning to the field.

The halftime break ended, and the referee blew the whistle to start the second half of the match.

During halftime, both sides surely analyzed their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and devised second-half strategies based on the opponent’s situation. However, the changes on the field are rapid and unpredictable; even with a strategy for the second half set by the coach, it is up to the players to execute it effectively on the field.

Each player on the national team possesses exceptionally high skills, and the coach grants them a lot of freedom.

For instance, on the field, Liu Zhan and Li Shuangying and a few others are rarely restricted by the coach’s tactical guidelines. The coach just instructs them to attack, attack, and attack with full force.

Because the coach knows that these attacking players are individually strong, instead of limiting them by making them execute his tactical plans, it is better to let them perform freely.

The second half was exceptionally intense, as if both sides were playing as if it were the championship final.

At twelve minutes into the second half, Baxi Team’s relentless attack earned them a point.

This made the national team players feel the strength and resilience of Baxi Team.

Subsequently, the national team exploited a small opportunity after Baxi Team substituted a player at the seventeenth minute, with Liu Zhan and Zhao Xuanming collaborating with each other, ultimately leading Zhao Xuanming to pass the ball to Liu Zhan, who seized the opportunity to equalize.

The match stood at two to two; it can be said that this game between the national team and Baxi Team was also very intense and entertaining.

With only three or four minutes remaining before the match’s end, both sides were still tied at two each. Since this was an elimination game, if the match remained tied at two after injury time, they would need to go into a penalty shootout.

Facing a penalty shootout, the national team did not have complete confidence in defeating the opponent.

Normally, teams would prefer not to resort to a penalty shootout unless absolutely necessary.

With that thought, the national team prepared to make one last effort.

It looked like Baxi Team had the same idea, but they never expected that in this final effort, the national team’s goalkeeper and attacking players would perform like gods descending to earth...