Chapter 4 10 Vs 11, The Ultimate Equalizer! Su Luo Divine Grade Play!
"F**k!"
Faced with the National Youth League's only chance in the first half, Su Luo opted for a direct shot from 30 meters out. Head coach Jankovic leapt from his seat so abruptly that he hit his head on the awning, but he ignored the pain, his eyes fixed on the ball's trajectory.
The South Korean players surrounding Su Luo also ignored the ball. They planned to take advantage of his seemingly unstable control to form a double team, assuming the national youth players would lose the ball with just a little pressure. The South Korean players viewed their opponents with contempt, not even considering Su Luo—a tournament top scorer with seven goals and one assist—worthy of concern.
However, Son Heung-min sensed danger the moment Su Luo took the shot.
"Xiba! Stop him!" he yelled, but it was too late. The football flew towards the goal like a bolt of lightning.
The South Korean goalkeeper was caught off guard. Why was he shooting now, breaking the routine? He leaped but missed, landing on the ground in defeat as the ball hit the net with force.
The speed of events left commentator Shen Fangjian and the audience in shock. By the time Su Luo raised his arms and turned to celebrate with Xu Xin, Chinese fans who had traveled thousands of miles erupted in cheers.
"Goal!!! Unbelievable!!!"
"It's amazing Su Luo again! With the team's only shot in the first half, he pulled one back!"
"A 35-meter long-range shot pierced the South Korean goal, bringing us hope in a desperate situation!"
"Who would have thought this 16-year-old, who has never competed before, could do this?"
"If there's a miracle in the second half, it will be thanks to Su Luo!"
"Xiba, that kid got lucky!"
"Hmph, what's so great about him? He's just a defeated opponent for decades."
"Why didn't you block his shot?"
"Who knew he'd shoot from there?"
"Enough! Stop arguing!"
In the South Korean locker room, frustration was palpable, as if conceding a goal to the National Youth League was a disgrace. Captain Son Heung-min intervened sternly.
"Remember, we're the ones leading! Show our strength in the second half, and we'll be the ones in the final!"
Meanwhile, the national youth team was still basking in the joy of Su Luo's goal, unaware of the challenges ahead.
"Watch out behind!"
"Ah!!!"
"F**k! Referee, why didn't you call that foul?"
"Calm down!"
In the second half, with Su Luo's goal pulling them closer, the tension on the field escalated. The South Korean team employed their typical "sportsmanship," using more aggressive hand and foot tactics. The national youth players, now more motivated, attempted to launch attacks, only to be met with rough fouls.
Worse, the referee seemed oblivious to the blatant fouls from the South Korean team, while any significant move by the Chinese players resulted in a foul call. The imbalance frustrated the National Youth League and enraged the few Chinese fans in attendance, who couldn't help but recall the South Korean team's performance in the 2002 World Cup.
"Typical South Korean tactics."
"The referee's bias is blatant."
"The National Youth League might not withstand this."
Under the relentless fouling, Guoqing's frustration grew. After a vicious tackle on Luneng's midfielder Wu Xinghan, he turned to confront his opponent and pushed Liu Cheng Yuichi. The referee showed Wu Xinghan a red card, ignoring the initial foul.
"This... the referee's decisions are questionable," Shen Fangjian commented cautiously.
The fans loudly denounced the referee, shouting, "Black whistle! Black whistle!" and "Referee SB!" But the Ghanaian referee didn't understand their Chinese curses.
This unfair treatment affected the National Youth League's mentality. Down a player, they quickly conceded another goal, with Son Heung-min scoring again to extend the lead to 3-1. Coach Jankovic shook his head, sitting back on the bench, seemingly resigned to defeat.
However, two players hadn't given up.
"Old Xu, remember to pass the ball to me whenever you get it. I'll take care of it," Su Luo said.
"Got it!"
After witnessing Su Luo's previous performance, Xu Xin had unwavering faith in him. As the South Korean team conserved their energy for the final, Xu Xin saw an opportunity at the 72-minute mark. Intercepting a pass intended for Son Heung-min, he made a long pass to Su Luo.
"Xu Xin sends it forward to find Su Luo!"
"Perfect timing! Su Luo is onside!!!"
Shen Fangjian's excitement was palpable.
"Su Luo! He's fast, sprinting towards the penalty area with the ball! The goalkeeper comes out!"
"One-on-one with the keeper!"
In the past, a one-on-one for the national team often spelled disaster. Fans could barely watch. But this time, it was Su Luo. He remained calm, his body feinting left and right.
"This dribble... it's like..."
Shen Fangjian immediately thought of the retired superstar Ronaldo.
"A pendulum-like dribble!"
Su Luo's feints left the goalkeeper disoriented and off balance. He bypassed the goalkeeper, entering the penalty area to face an open goal.
The fans in the stands erupted, cheering wildly.
"Su Luo!!! He scores!!!"
"At South Korea's happiest moment, Su Luo and the National Youth League haven't given up!"
"He's delivered a critical blow to South Korea's hopes!"
"National Youth equalizes at 2-2! The game isn't over yet!"
In the Trabzonspor Stadium, the crowd chanted in unison:
"Su Luo!"
"Su Luo!"
"Su Luo!"
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