Yang Yang vs Van Gaal I

Although Yang Yang and Van Gaal shared a cordial conversation over the phone, the upcoming match between Ajax and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands was far from casual. This clash carried championship implications, pitting two of the top contenders in the Eredivisie against each other in a high-stakes showdown. 

Currently, Alkmaar leads the league standings with 56 points, followed closely by PSV Eindhoven at 55, and Ajax trailing in third place with 54 points. Feyenoord, in fourth place with only 44 points, is effectively out of the running for the title. At this stage, it's evident that only these top three teams remain in contention for the league trophy. 

All three teams have displayed remarkable consistency throughout the season, securing points where expected, which has only amplified the significance of matches between them, especially now in the second half of the season. This upcoming clash between Ajax and Alkmaar was widely seen as a potential league decider. 

Ronald Koeman, Ajax's head coach, had rotated his squad for the Dutch Cup, clearly prioritizing this pivotal league match against Alkmaar. His focus on freshening up key players underlined how seriously Ajax was approaching this fixture. 

Adding to the drama was the return of Louis van Gaal to the Amsterdam Arena, though now as head coach of the visiting team, Alkmaar. Van Gaal's success with Alkmaar had propelled them to the top of the table, and he was determined to maintain their lead, understanding the significance of seizing every point in the title race. Both sides were fully committed to winning, and the whole country, captivated by the intensity of the contest, turned its attention to this showdown. 

The Amsterdam Arena was packed to capacity on match day, with a fervent crowd that included not only Ajax supporters but also a strong showing of Alkmaar fans, given the short travel distance from their city. As players from both teams emerged from the tunnel, the stadium erupted in a wave of cheers and jeers, creating an electric atmosphere that added to the players' anticipation. 

The intensity of the rivalry was palpable, even surprising some Ajax players. Geographically close, Ajax and Alkmaar have shared a history of players moving between them, adding a personal edge to the matchup. Ron Vlaar, for example, who was on the Ajax bench that evening, hailed from Alkmaar. 

The game held special significance for Yang Yang as he squared off against Tim de Cler, Alkmaar's left-back, who was a product of the Ajax youth academy. At twenty-five, de Cler had excelled under Van Gaal's guidance this season, earning strong support for a place in the Dutch national team. Initially introduced to professional football under Co Adriaanse's coaching at Ajax, de Cler was not highly favored by Koeman and eventually moved to Alkmaar. 

A balanced left-back known for his defensive reliability and ability to join in attack, de Cler was a crucial element in Van Gaal's strategy for the night. Van Gaal had specifically tasked de Cler with marking Yang Yang, a tactical move that would be pivotal in tonight's battle. 

... 

... 

Despite spending much of the previous night in the Dream training system, meticulously simulating Alkmaar's entire defensive line, Yang Yang quickly discovered in the actual game that his opponents were far tougher than anticipated. 

Simulated training could only go so far; the intensity and unpredictability of a real match presented challenges beyond the scope of virtual preparation. 

Under Van Gaal's tactical setup, Alkmaar's players executed their roles with pinpoint precision. The left side of the pitch was transformed into what felt like an unbreakable cage, each Alkmaar player forming the bars of this iron prison, and Yang Yang, agile as he was, found himself like a bird caught in a snare. 

As he had predicted, Van Gaal hadn't assigned a specific player to shadow Yang Yang. Instead, he deployed a disciplined zonal defense, isolating him by blocking off all potential connections to his teammates in the midfield and front line. Alkmaar's defensive structure prevented Yang Yang from integrating into Ajax's flow, leaving him stranded for long stretches. 

In the first ten minutes, Yang Yang rarely touched the ball, and on the few occasions he did, he was boxed in and cut off from the rest of the team, making the field feel strangely claustrophobic. Recognizing the need to adapt, Yang Yang began to widen his range, searching for opportunities beyond the immediate area. 

Since joining Alkmaar, Van Gaal had restructured the team, infusing a disciplined pragmatism that replaced Co Adriaanse's previous offensive-focused approach. Now, Alkmaar's defense operated as a synchronized unit, a testament to Van Gaal's influence on their tactical maturity. 

The moment Yang Yang entered a dangerous zone on the right, Alkmaar's defense would immediately close in, their formation shifting to seal off any path forward. Remarkably, this defensive "cage" would shift along with him as he moved, limiting his options and forcing him either to stick to the sidelines or drop deeper into safer zones, far from the threat of goal. 

The farther he moved from the box, the less danger he posed, and he had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that Alkmaar's defense was incredibly well-drilled. Their approach wasn't passive; it was an aggressive, suffocating style of pressing, reminiscent of Ajax's own high-tempo defense. 

Yang Yang glanced over at Van Gaal, watching him orchestrate from the visiting team's sideline. "This old fox really knows his game," he mused with a smirk. 

"But if he thinks this is enough to contain me, he's got another thing coming!" 

... 

... 

Ten minutes into the game, Yang Yang struggled to break through on the right side, failing to create any significant threats despite a few touches. Van Gaal, observing from the sidelines, felt a surge of satisfaction. The defensive tactics designed specifically to contain Yang Yang were working to perfection. 

The assistant coaches on the visiting bench shared a sense of relief, visibly pleased with the success of their strategy. Van Gaal, however, couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. 

Only a year ago, he had been at Ajax, envisioning what it would be like to bring a player like Yang Yang to Alkmaar. He'd dreamed of developing him, molding him personally, and witnessing firsthand how far the young talent could go under his guidance. In Van Gaal's mind, Yang Yang had been a raw talent, full of potential and promise. 

But so much had changed in that short time. By the second half of last season, Yang Yang had already burst onto the scene, scoring the decisive goal in the Champions League final. Now, he wasn't just a rising talent—he was a household name in European football. He had claimed the Eredivisie title with Ajax, won the prestigious European Golden Boy Award, and was hailed as a young genius across the continent. 

Currently leading Ajax's goal-scoring charts, he was even competing neck-and-neck with renowned Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt for the league's top scorer title. The speed of his rise had been nothing short of astonishing, even for someone as seasoned as Van Gaal. 

Yet, as he watched Yang Yang on the field, a part of him struggled to believe that this young star, with such a meteoric rise, could be so easily contained. Was this truly the same player he had once hoped to coach? Could Yang Yang really be held down like this? 

The thought unsettled Van Gaal. And then, as if sensing his doubt, Yang Yang looked over at him from the pitch, a confident, almost playful smile flashing across his face, as if to say, "You think you can keep me caged?" 

A flicker of unease shot through Van Gaal. He suddenly felt a strong premonition that this match might take an unexpected turn. 

... 

... 

When Yang Yang saw the ball passed back toward Ajax's backline, eventually landing at Maicon's feet on the right, he immediately sprinted toward the sideline, signaling for the pass with a raised hand. He pulled wide, hugging the line to create space and request the ball. 

Tim de Cler, Alkmaar's left-back, recognized the danger and moved to close him down. However, Yang Yang's quick acceleration left de Cler trailing behind, and by the time Maicon's precise pass arrived, Yang Yang was already in position to receive it cleanly. 

Seeing de Cler advancing to intercept, Yang Yang had anticipated his approach. Just as de Cler moved to block, Yang Yang feinted, stopping the ball dead with his left foot and smoothly sliding it to his right, turning sharply to face de Cler. With a quick inward dribble, he immediately gained an advantage, slipping past the Alkmaar defender with finesse. 

Midfielder Barry van Galen was positioned to assist, but his approach was hurried, and as Yang Yang cut inside, the distance between the defenders created an open pocket. Yang Yang seized the opportunity, drawing Van Galen closer, then sidestepped with a feint—a signature "step-over" move—to dodge the midfielder's challenge and accelerate further inward with the ball. 

Initially, Yang Yang intended to work his way toward the center to link up with his teammates or perhaps deliver a pass. But as he reached the edge of the penalty arc, he spotted a promising gap forming. The hurriedly retreating Alkmaar midfielders had left a narrow but clear passage between the central defenders, a channel leading directly toward the goal. 

A sudden, compelling urge struck him. He was about 20 meters from the net—further than his usual range for a direct attempt. But after years of refining his left foot and months of dedicated strength training, he felt an instinctive confidence, a feeling that this was his moment. 

Without hesitation, Yang Yang planted his right foot, swung his left, and unleashed a powerful strike. 

The resounding crack of his boot connecting with the ball echoed through the stadium. The shot curved beautifully, slicing past the defensive line with velocity and accuracy. The ball arced toward the left post, just grazing it before rocketing into the back of the net. 

"Gooooooooooooooooooal!!!" 

"An absolute stunner! Yang Yang has done it!" 

The commentator's shout reverberated as Amsterdam Arena erupted. Fans surged toward the barriers, shouting his name in unison, celebrating a goal that seemed to defy expectation. 

Yang Yang, overwhelmed by the electric energy, wheeled around and sprinted toward the stands, arms outstretched as if to embrace the raucous cheers cascading from the Ajax faithful. 

"My word, in the 19th minute, just 19 minutes in, Yang Yang breaks through the right side and fires off an absolute rocket!" 

"This is a goal for the ages! A sensational strike from 25 meters out!" 

"Phenomenal!" 

"An instant classic! Yang Yang has scored a goal that fans will be talking about for years!" 

"Alkmaar's defense was nearly airtight, yet Yang Yang found the sliver of space he needed, unleashing a cannonball shot that found the back of the net with perfect precision!" 

"Unbelievable! Yang Yang's form is absolutely phenomenal right now!" 

"That's goals in several consecutive games!" 

"It looks like the rumors are true—Yang Yang is seriously chasing the Eredivisie top scorer title this season." 

"With this goal, he's now raised his tally to 19 in the Eredivisie, making him the highest-scoring Ajax player in a single season over the past decade." 

"And remember, he's only eighteen! The last Ajax player to score this impressively at eighteen was Patrick Kluivert, who netted eighteen goals in a single season and led Ajax to the title." 

"But Yang Yang isn't just chasing history with Ajax. He's also following in the footsteps of another football legend—Ronaldo." 

"At eighteen, Ronaldo played for PSV Eindhoven and scored a stunning 30 goals in 32 league matches, announcing himself as one of the brightest talents in European football." 

"It's worth mentioning that Yang Yang's idols are Van Basten and Ronaldo. Now, with ten games left in the season and just 11 goals away from Ronaldo's record, it's not out of reach." 

... 

... 

Yang Yang was brimming with excitement as he dashed to the sidelines. He could feel it—his form was reaching new heights. Not only was his touch on the ball sharper, but his instincts on the pitch had intensified; every movement, every opening, felt more vivid and instinctual. In that moment before the shot, he had sensed he could strike from distance and make it count. 

He hadn't overthought it—whether it would be a spectacular goal or even if it would go in at all. He'd simply felt the urge to take the chance. 

Ronald Koeman had recently given him the green light, encouraging him to trust his instincts in the final third. As one of Ajax's central figures, he had the freedom to choose his own approach, whether that meant finding a teammate or going for goal himself. 

This was the privilege of a core player—a freedom not given to everyone. 

"What a stunning goal!" his teammates shouted as they rushed to him on the sidelines. 

"An absolute world-class strike!" 

"With your left foot too—I feel like bowing down!" someone laughed in awe. 

Yang Yang found himself surrounded, his teammates clapping him on the back and peppering him with questions about what had been going through his mind. 

He grinned, shrugging slightly. "Honestly, I just felt like I should give it a go. So, I went for it!" 

Maxwell, beaming with pride, leaned in. "Looks like you're unstoppable today. Go out there and get us another, and the celebration we planned will be even better!" 

This seemed to rally the team's excitement further, and Yang Yang smiled, confident he could deliver. 

As he made his way back toward the center of the pitch, he mischievously detoured over to the home bench, exchanging high-fives with Koeman and Ruud Krol. Then, he turned and looked toward Van Gaal with a playful grin, raising his right index finger as if to signal, "That's one!" 

... 

... 

"One?" Marcel Bout looked over in confusion. "What does he mean by that?" 

Though conceding a goal should have been frustrating, Van Gaal found himself unable to summon any anger. He had to admit, Yang Yang's strike had been exquisite, and his progress was undeniable. The level of skill and confidence needed to pull off a shot from over 20 meters was a testament to his growth as a player. 

To execute such a strike requires more than just a strong shot; it demands precise positioning, technique, and control—a shot that embodies a player's all-around ability. 

In the past year, Yang Yang hadn't attempted many long-range shots, let alone from such a distance. Now, not only had he tried it, but he'd succeeded. 

On one hand, Van Gaal could see the confidence radiating from him—a self-assurance that had developed as Yang Yang's goal count rose throughout the season. For any professional player, confidence is priceless. Without it, even the best struggle. 

On the other hand, Yang Yang's shooting, touch, and power had visibly improved. 

"He's progressing too fast," Van Gaal murmured. 

At that moment, the commentator at the Amsterdam Arena brought up Patrick Kluivert, reminding fans that Yang Yang had now surpassed Kluivert's Ajax record of 18 league goals in a season—a record that had stood for nearly a decade. 

"He isn't Kluivert," Van Gaal muttered to himself. "He's better than Kluivert." 

Marcel Bout, still baffled by Yang Yang's gesture, asked again, "But what was he trying to say with that signal?" 

Van Gaal's satisfaction faded, a dark cloud settling over his face. "He told me before the game he was aiming to score twice. That gesture was his way of reminding me he's halfway there," he said in a low voice. 

And to make matters worse, Yang Yang had used his left foot—the same left foot Van Gaal had repeatedly encouraged him to train over the years. Now, here he was, unleashing a perfect long-range shot with that very foot, scoring against Van Gaal's own team. 

The irony was not lost on him, and it stung. The Dutchman felt as though he'd armed Yang Yang with the very weapon now turned against him. 

But Van Gaal wasn't one to wallow. Ever resilient and famously fiery, he redirected his frustration at his players, barking orders from the sideline with renewed intensity. 

It was simply unacceptable—a handful of defenders, and yet an 18-year-old had managed to break through. 

... 

... 

Though frustrated, Van Gaal swiftly recalibrated Alkmaar's defensive strategy. 

Upon resuming play, Alkmaar continued with a solid, defensive counter-attacking approach, keeping their focus on the right side where Yang Yang was positioned. The earlier long-range strike had left an impression on Alkmaar's players, who now marked him with heightened vigilance, wary of giving him even the smallest opening. 

Yang Yang, however, remained calm. With a goal already secured, he waited patiently, scanning for new opportunities. 

Then, in the 38th minute, Alkmaar launched a rapid counterattack. De Jong was whistled for a foul on the right, awarding Alkmaar a free kick in a dangerous area just outside the box. 

Alkmaar took full advantage of the set piece, lofting the ball directly into the penalty area. Robin Nelisse, Alkmaar's towering 1.87-meter striker, muscled past Heitinga and connected with a powerful header, sending the ball into the net from close range. 

Nelisse, with his long, braided hair reminiscent of Gullit, hadn't been a favorite of Van Gaal's this season, and rumors were already swirling about a possible departure at season's end. Van Gaal was reportedly eyeing a high-caliber striker with better ball control. Yet, at this pivotal moment, Nelisse had delivered a crushing blow to Ajax, breathing life back into Alkmaar's hopes. 

The Ajax players were visibly downcast after conceding. Defending against high balls had always been a challenge for Ajax, and with Heitinga just returning from injury, Alkmaar had clearly targeted him in the set play. Nelisse used his physical strength and height advantage to outmaneuver Heitinga. 

Yang Yang approached Heitinga, offering a reassuring pat on the back. "It's alright. Let's press forward and try to get another before the half ends." 

Ending the first half with a 1-1 draw would dampen Ajax's momentum, so Yang Yang rallied his teammates to push aggressively in the remaining minutes. 

He reminded them that the ten minutes following a goal often see the most action, with a high likelihood of scoring or conceding again. 

His proposal was quickly met with nods of agreement from his teammates. 

As they returned to the center circle, Yang Yang and Charisteas prepared for kickoff. The referee urged Alkmaar's celebrating players to return to their positions, readying for play to resume. 

"I'll take the ball wide on the right," Yang Yang told Charisteas, "you pull out of the penalty area to draw the defense, and I'll make a late run into the box from the inside." 

Charisteas nodded, determination in his eyes. "I'll do my best to block the central defender for you." 

"Perfect." 

... 

... 

The game resumed with Ajax determined to regain their lead. Charisteas and Yang Yang wasted no time, pressing forward to challenge Alkmaar's defensive line. 

Despite their resilience, Alkmaar, emboldened by their recent equalizer, had dropped back to fortify their defense, waiting patiently for a counterattack opportunity. With their defense tightened, Yang Yang found it difficult to break through immediately. 

Finally, in the 43rd minute, Yang Yang received a well-placed pass from Maicon while dropping back to create space. He swiftly cut inside, drawing the focus of several Alkmaar defenders. But this time, rather than attempting a solo effort, he opted to pass quickly to Sneijder. 

Simultaneously, Charisteas moved back from his forward position, positioning himself near Sneijder to support the play. 

Without a moment's hesitation, Sneijder sent a precise pass to Charisteas, who used his strong frame to shield the ball from Alkmaar's center-back. In a smooth motion, he shifted the ball to his right, rolling it delicately between Alkmaar's center-back and their left-back, de Cler. 

The defenders reacted immediately, attempting to close the gap, but in a flash, a familiar figure darted between them. Yang Yang had anticipated the play and surged forward, accelerating to reach the ball just ahead of the defenders. He took one controlling touch and then a purposeful stride forward. 

The Amsterdam Arena erupted with excitement. 

De Cler chased desperately, but Yang Yang's speed was unmatchable. With Ajax's number 11 jersey flashing in the penalty area, Yang Yang found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. 

"Yang Yang!" 

"Yang Yang dribbles into the box—he's got a clear shot!" 

Unchallenged, Yang Yang took a composed shot, aiming low toward the bottom right corner. 

"Goal!!!!" 

"Gooooooooooal!!!!!!" 

"Forty-third minute! Yang Yang strikes with a perfectly placed shot to the bottom right corner, putting Ajax ahead once more, 2-1!" 

"This is a fantastic performance from Yang Yang, scoring twice in this first half." 

"His first goal was a world-class strike from long range, and now this clinical finish shows he's in peak form tonight." 

"Alkmaar's defense tried to contain him, but in the end, they couldn't keep Yang Yang at bay. De Cler was left chasing as he powered into the box and found the net again."