Super Wingstorm

Just five minutes into the scrimmage, Team B’s morale plummeted after conceding two consecutive goals.

Vincent Wegier, on the left flank, was hit particularly hard.

Team A, however, pressed their advantage. They began to frequently utilize Yang Yang’s one-on-one skills on the right wing. He repeatedly shook off Vincent Wegier, broke through on the flank, and sent in crosses, creating one dangerous opportunity after another in the penalty area.

In the eleventh minute, another breakthrough and cross from Yang Yang on the right found Ibrahimovic, who tapped it in for his second goal. The Swedish Striker, who had gone without a goal for a long time in this summer’s warm-up matches, was so excited he charged straight at Yang Yang. He gave him a punch on the shoulder before wrapping him in a powerful hug.

This nearly-suffocating prank seemed to be the Swedish Striker’s favorite way to celebrate a goal.

After that, Team B began to drop back and defend deeper. Yang Yang soon found another opportunity. Receiving the ball on the right wing, he cut inside, drawing in Vincent Wegier, then suddenly passed the ball back out to the right flank. The overlapping Talabesi took the ball in long strides toward the byline and sent in a cross.

The Swedish Striker once again got on the end of it in the penalty area, sending the ball into the back of the net and completing his hat-trick.

The nonstop goals not only had the fans on the sidelines roaring with excitement, but also sent the players on the field into a state of euphoria. Ibrahimovic, in particular, felt a huge sense of vindication after his hat-trick and celebrated wildly with the fans.

He was using this display to tell the head coach and technical director on the sidelines that he was the ideal starting striker for Ajax, and that no one—not Wesley Sonck, not even Rafael van der Vaart—could replace his role on the team.

Watching Ibrahimovic from behind, Yang Yang had mixed feelings.

’To be honest, I really admire the guy. His individual skill is incredible. He can turn chances that I didn’t even set up perfectly into shots. It just shows how good he really is, and his physical advantage is so obvious.’

’It’s just like he told me before the match: just get him the ball—high or low, near or far—and he can take it and handle it. And he proved it. He really has that ability. You can’t help but be impressed.’

’But at the same time, the man’s edges are just too sharp. He’s like a pointed awl that will poke through any bag you try to put him in.’

’Maybe that’s why he’s so controversial.’

...

...

Soon after, with a four-goal lead, Yang Yang was substituted off by the coach.

This came as no surprise to anyone. After all, with Yang Yang on the field, Team A’s offensive advantage was too obvious. Team B was completely suppressed and had no opportunities, especially on Vincent Wegier’s side, which was in a complete shambles.

The combination of Yang Yang and Talabesi on the right wing was practically turning Team B’s left flank into Swiss cheese.

After coming off the field, as he walked toward John Reep and Dick Van Puer, Yang Yang happened to see Hank De Kuning sheepishly slipping into the crowd. He immediately asked why.

"Ha, of course he’s too ashamed to show his face!" Dick Van Puer laughed, thoroughly satisfied.

Yang Yang wasn’t stupid; he could guess what had happened. Feeling pleased, he couldn’t help but break into a faint smile.

Soon, the match for his group was over.

Team A ultimately defeated Team B five to two. Vincent Wegier’s performance had been a complete disaster throughout the scrimmage. He was extremely dejected when he came off the field and avoided Yang Yang’s side, not showing his face again.

As Ibrahimovic was leaving the field, however, he passed by Yang Yang, pointed at him from a distance, and gave a slight smile before walking off.

Before they left, Sneijder and Talabesi both gave Yang Yang a nod of acknowledgement as well.

Clearly, his skills had earned their recognition.

John Reep, who had seen all this from the sidelines, wasn’t surprised in the least. On the football pitch, skill does the talking. The strong naturally earn the respect and approval of those around them.

And now, he was beginning to feel that he had underestimated Yang Yang’s ability, as well as his future potential.

After all, he was only sixteen. Given his current rate of progress, especially his potential development after joining Ajax, who knew what heights he might reach in the future?

"How did it feel?" John Reep asked with concern.

Yang Yang laughed. "It was a blast. The Ajax first-team players are unbelievably good. There’s still a huge gap between me and them, so I have to work even harder from now on."

John Reep nodded. This was what he admired most about Yang Yang. He always maintained his drive and motivation. No matter what difficulties or challenges he faced, he would never give up easily.

"Don’t be impatient. In two or three years, maybe you’ll be out here just like them," John Reep encouraged.

Yang Yang knew John Reep believed he could make it to the Ajax first team within two or three years.

And that was exactly what he was hoping for.

...

...

After the match between Group A and Group B concluded, staff came onto the field to clear it, and the match between Group C and Group D began immediately.

Henk Demyer and Nick played for Group C and Group D respectively. The former had performed poorly in the morning assessment, but after calming down in the afternoon, he played well. He demonstrated a good level of skill, and several of his passes showed great technique and vision, earning him rounds of applause.

As for Nick, playing at right-back, his main responsibility was defense, but his performance was less than ideal. This was because he was up against Tom Soyerthals, a Belgian left-winger from the Ajax first team.

The twenty-three-year-old left-winger had just been signed from Roda JC this summer for one million euros. He wasn’t tall, but his footwork was exquisite, and he created a host of problems for Nick on the left flank, leaving the latter struggling to keep up.

The final score between the two teams was four to three, with Group C, led by the Belgian striker Wesley Sonck who had been outstanding in the preseason, securing the victory. Sonck scored two goals, and his performance was also commendable.

Yang Yang just watched from the sidelines. Seeing the match with his own eyes, he could feel how brimming with talent the Ajax first team was.

Never mind the famous names like Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Ibrahimovic, Talabesi, and Litmanen; even the lesser-known Soetters was incredibly skilled. He figured there were probably many more players like him on the first team.

If, back when he was at Almere, Yang Yang didn’t have a full appreciation of it, he now clearly understood the skill level of first-team players in the Eredivisie.

After all, the Eredivisie was only considered a second-tier league in European football. Above it were the Four Major Leagues: Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga, and the Premier League. If players in the Eredivisie were already at this level, what about the players in the Four Major Leagues? And what about the players at the top-tier clubs?

What level were Yang Yang’s idol, Ronaldo, and his teammates, superstars like Zidane and Figo, at?

Thinking of this, Yang Yang couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. He felt his own insignificance, but he wouldn’t let it discourage him.

Just over three months ago, he was agonizing over how to stay on the Almere Youth Team. But now, three months later, he was about to enter the Ajax Youth Academy. This was something he could have never imagined, and it was the fruit of his diligent training over those past three months.

Therefore, he believed that as long as he kept working hard, he would one day have the chance to play for the Ajax first team, and even move beyond the Eredivisie into the hallowed halls of the Four Major Leagues.

...

...

As was customary, the final results of the Talent Day event would not be announced publicly. Instead, Ajax would contact the selected players over the next few days and arrange for them to report to De Toekomst as soon as possible.

After the scrimmage, it was time for Yang Yang and the others to begin their journey home.

But before they left, Yang Yang quickly asked John Reep to wait for him. He grabbed a pen and paper and hurried over to the training ground for the younger age groups. He saw Van der Vaart and his teammates about to leave and rushed over to ask for an autograph.

There were many fans around with the same idea. Van der Vaart, smiling, fulfilled everyone’s request one by one. But when he got to Yang Yang, he noticed the sweat-drenched training jersey he was wearing and asked if he was also there for the Talent Day event.

"I was in the older age group," Yang Yang replied.

Van der Vaart gave a slight purse of his lips, nodded, and smiled. "Well, good luck to you then."

"Thanks."

Watching Van der Vaart walk away, Yang Yang couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

He was a world-renowned prodigy, universally acknowledged as a future world-class star. After Qi Wu’s departure, he was the undisputed captain of Ajax. Both Ajax and the entire Netherlands had high hopes for him, believing he would carry the heavy burden of reviving Dutch football.

And then there was his girlfriend, Silvia. Although Yang Yang wasn’t particularly fond of European girls, he had to admit she was quite beautiful. She and the handsome Van der Vaart were a perfect match—a talented man and a beautiful woman.

Yang Yang suddenly felt that Van der Vaart was truly one of heaven’s chosen, the focal point of every man’s envy and jealousy.

Looking down at the autograph in his hand, Yang Yang broke into an amused grin.

’Well, I finally found one of your flaws. This signature isn’t very good.’

When he rejoined John Reep and the others, Henk Demyer and Nick started teasing him as soon as they heard he had gone to all that trouble to get Van der Vaart’s autograph. They never expected Yang Yang to be a fanboy.

John Reep and Dick Van Puer, on the other hand, didn’t find it strange at all. After all, every footballer has their idols. It was just that, no matter how you looked at it, Yang Yang didn’t seem like the Van der Vaart type.

Yang Yang couldn’t be bothered to explain. He put away his pen, paper, and luggage, and went to the locker room provided by Ajax to shower and change.

By the time they left De Toekomst, the sun was already setting.

Before getting into the car, Yang Yang looked up at De Toekomst, bathed in the light of the setting sun, his heart filled with anticipation for the moment he would return.

’This time, I came for a tryout. Next time, I’ll be coming here to play.’

’For me right now, a platform like Ajax was something I hadn’t even dared to dream of before, and so I cherish this opportunity immensely.’

’Now that I’m in, I have no intention of leaving.’

’I am aware of my own talents and weaknesses, so I also understand that I have to work harder than anyone else.’

’All for the day I can walk out of this place and step onto the pitch of that stadium, just six hundred meters to the east.’