One chance

The shining star of the Ajax youth team, Ryan Babel, found himself in a sour mood. He had anticipated an easy victory against Almere, yet the match proved far more challenging than he had imagined.

Under Johnny Rep's steadfast 4-3-3 formation, only right winger Yang Yang remained forward. The rest of the team had organized into a compact defense, stationed firmly within their own half, about 30 meters from their goal.

This defensive setup severely hindered Ajax's attacking prowess.

Ryan Babel, the team's standout player, was closely marked by Almere's defenders, making it difficult for him to showcase his best form. This clandestinely worried him, and his gaze occasionally drifted towards the chairman's box.

There sat Ruud Krol, the assistant coach of the first team, and Marco Van Basten, the youth team coach. These two figures held the keys to his future career prospects, and Babel desperately aimed to impress them, vying for a coveted spot in the first team next season.

To his surprise, Almere's defense proved exceedingly meticulous, prompting doubts about whether they truly belonged to a youth team from a Dutch third division club.

As a striker, Babel found himself closely marked by Almere, making it challenging to receive passes from teammates and utilize his speed and technical prowess. Breaking through Almere's defensive line proved difficult whenever he attempted to make runs, leading his teammates to often opt for alternative passing options.

During his time in the youth team, Van Basten had once encouraged him: "Keep working hard, you can be the next Thierry Henry." It was a phrase that consistently inspired Babel, a right-footed player who preferred operating on the left, similar to Henry's preferred position.

Ajax's players worked in cohesion, with Babel drifting towards the flank. His teammates understood his intentions and adjusted the pace of their attacks accordingly. This brief respite allowed Almere to regroup, yet Ajax was preparing for their next offensive surge.

Sure enough, moments later, Babel, stationed on the flank, exploited Almere's momentary lapse in concentration. Cutting inside from the left, he created a highly promising scoring opportunity. Unfortunately, his finish did not meet expectations, and the chance went begging.

It was the thirteenth minute of the first half.

With a successful chance created, the morale among Ajax players surged, launching a relentless wave of attacks.

The disparity in strength between the two sides was evident, and Almere's defensive line was beginning to show signs of cracking.

Yang Yang positioned himself in midfield, awaiting passes from his teammates in defense, but they struggled to find avenues to deliver the ball to him.

It proved more challenging than Coach Johnny Rep had anticipated prior to the match.

Ajax clearly refused to yield, aiming to overwhelm Almere by a significant margin, given their evident superiority.

Yang Yang was eager to contribute, but Ajax denied him opportunities. Thomas Vermaelen and Urby Emanuelson shadowed him relentlessly, while his teammates focused on defending deep, limiting his involvement.

"I must make an impact," Yang Yang murmured to himself. Feeling the urgency to act, he made the decision to drop back into defense.

"The gap in strength between the two teams is too vast."

Watching Yang Yang retreat to defend in his own half, Johnny Rep shook his head in helpless resignation and sighed.

Due to the evident disparity in overall ability, Almere had no choice but to adopt a defensive stance and wait for counterattacking opportunities. The situation on the pitch was bleaker than he had anticipated during his pre-match assessment. Clearly, the presence of Van Basten, Ruud Krol, and others had galvanized the fighting spirit and commitment of the Ajax players, a factor he had not fully accounted for beforehand.

"What do we do now?" Dick Vanpoer asked anxiously.

Johnny Rep shook his head helplessly.

At this juncture in the game, as the team's head coach, there was little more he could influence from the sidelines. He had to rely on the players on the pitch to perform.

The team had fought their way to the sixth round, overcoming teams like Volendam and now facing Ajax head-on. They had given their all, and even in defeat, it would not be a disgraceful outcome.

...

...

Ajax thwarted another attack, swiftly reclaiming possession as the ball returned to Almere's 30-meter area, where Maduro picked it up in midfield.

Ajax's attacking trio comprised Nourdin Boukhari, Ryan Babel, and Daniël de Ridder, supported by midfielder Maduro with Tom de Mul on the flank.

With Sneijder and De Jong now promoted to the first team, this lineup had become the core of Ajax's youth team.

Confident against the youth team from Dutch third division side Almere, Ajax remained composed despite their initial failure to score. They patiently awaited their opportunity, each player eager to impress those in the dugout. Maduro himself was no exception, keen to make his mark.

As the team's central midfielder, Maduro quickly raised his right hand upon receiving the ball, signaling to his teammates to stabilize and maintain control of the rhythm. After passing to Boukhari, he scanned the field briefly before surging forward, signaling again for the ball.

The ball swiftly returned to Maduro's feet, and without halting, he played a diagonal pass towards the left of the penalty area. Babel, originally positioned centrally, darted left, catching Almere off guard. Before fully controlling the ball, he swiftly delivered a pass to Tom de Mul, who had signaled for the ball.

De Mul controlled it and sent a cross from the left edge of the penalty area. Babel, who had initially been on the left, accelerated suddenly, resembling a powerful cheetah as he left an Almere defender in his wake and raced towards the ball.

From Maduro's precise pass to Babel's first touch, and then de Mul's cross, the entire sequence was executed with finesse and fluidity, showcasing the exceptional individual skills of the Ajax players and exemplifying Ajax's renowned youth training philosophy.

The crowd erupted in excitement witnessing Babel outpace the Almere defender and charge towards the ball.

Now, the edge of the penalty area stood ominously vacant!

Dubbed by Van Basten as the second Henry, this Ajax prodigy, a right-footed player, positioned himself to receive the ball on the left side of the penalty area's arc.

How dangerous could this be?

In the blink of an eye, before Almere's players could react and catch up, it was too late.

The closest defender, Nick, who had been trailing de Mul, turned sharply to give chase. Suddenly, he sensed a figure streaking past him diagonally, at a speed faster than they had anticipated from Babel.

Counting the beats, adjusting his stride, Babel fixed his gaze on Almere's goalkeeper. As the ball came to him, he planted his left foot firmly and poised his right, feeling as confident as ever that this shot would find the net, nine times out of ten.

"I have to score this goal!" thought Babel.

But just as he was filled with determination and victory seemed within reach, a sudden sensation told him something was wrong. Before he could react, he watched helplessly as someone unexpectedly intervened, deflecting the ball away with a swift foot.

At this critical moment, when a goal seemed certain, he was thwarted completely.

Enraged, Babel didn't hold back, his shot carrying through with force, catching his opponent hard on the calf.

Yang Yang, who had just rushed back to defend from afar, hit the ground with a thud, his celebration cut short by the pain shooting through his leg where he'd been struck.

Henk Dimer and Nick, who were nearby, were furious and rushed towards Babel, while the Ajax players rushed forward to protect their team-mate.

The referee blew his whistle at the right time, went over to Yang Yang and saw that he had only been kicked in the calf. He then stood up, walked towards Babel and reached into his pocket.

Yellow card!

Not only that, but the referee gave Babel a stern warning to keep his temper in check or he would have no hesitation in giving him another.

The Ajax rookie glared at Almere, did not look at Yang Yang, who was still on the ground, and walked away.

Instead, several Ajax players, including Thomas Vermaelen and Maduro, gathered around him and asked if Yang Yang was injured. After he got up from the ground, all the Ajax players got back to preparing for the game.

...

...

"If he doesn't change his demeanor, it will eventually catch up with him."

In the dugout, Van Basten observed as Ryan Babel kicked Yang Yang's calf, resulting in a yellow card from the referee. Babel stormed off angrily, leaving Van Basten shaking his head with a sigh.

"It's common in professional games to challenge a defender without halting play. Even with a yellow card, Babel won't draw much criticism. However, failing to show remorse afterward highlights his lack of fair play."

Van Basten held high hopes for Babel. His speed, dribbling, technique, and physical attributes were impressive. Believing in Babel's potential, Van Basten often likened him to Thierry Henry for motivation.

"Yet, Babel's character remains his biggest hurdle, even in Ajax's youth team where he seems out of place."

"In youth football, team cohesion off the pitch is as crucial as on it."

Conversely, after Babel's challenge, teammates Vermaelen, Emmanuelson, and Maduro took charge, showing concern for Yang Yang. Yang Yang, however, harbored no resentment and even thanked several Ajax players.

"These mature reactions highlight Yang Yang's character," remarked Ruud Krol, increasingly impressed by the young player.

"Ronald Koeman and Van Gaal both favor tactically disciplined players," noted Krol, reflecting his experience as assistant coach of the first team.

On the field, Tonny Bruins Slot observed Yang Yang massaging his calf with concern, murmuring, "I hope it's nothing serious."

On the field, Yang Yang massaged his calf, a determined glint in his eye. "It's not over yet!"

Despite Babel's deliberate kick, he instinctively held back his full force.

Yang Yang endured the momentary pain and soon bounced back. After a few jumps in place, he re-entered the game with a clear plan in mind.

Passing by Henk Dimer and Nick, Yang Yang quickly conveyed his strategy to them.

Aware of Yang Yang's offensive prowess, both teammates committed to enhancing his effectiveness without hesitation.

The match resumed, and both teams swiftly moved past Babel's yellow card and the minor altercation between players.

Yang Yang remained actively involved in midfield defense, patiently awaiting his chance.

In contrast, visibly affected by his recent yellow card, Babel grew increasingly impatient up front, posing challenges for Ajax, who relied heavily on him as their primary attacking threat.

The instability in their frontline was evident, exacerbated by his loss of composure.

While Almere may not have been formidable, Johnny Rep's focused defensive training over the past days provided his team with a structured defense that countered Ajax's attacks effectively.

Each player executed their role meticulously, including Yang Yang, who contributed actively on the right wing, biding his time for an opportunity.

Emmanuelson, an attack-minded player, asserted his influence on the pitch, frequently making incursions forward.

Inspired by his idol Davis, he aimed to emulate him on the left flank, surging down the field to deliver a decisive blow to Almere.

As time passed, Ajax maintained control, launching waves of attacks but struggling to breach Almere's well-organized defense, with nearly all their players behind the ball.

Despite Ajax's dominance, it appeared inevitable that Almere would eventually concede a goal. However, in the thirty-ninth minute, their momentum was abruptly halted by an error in midfield.

Babel positioned himself on the left edge of the penalty area to receive a pass, but before he could control it, an Almere central defender intercepted, allowing Nick to seize possession. Nick swiftly played the ball out to the right wing before de Mul could intervene.

Initially facing away from the play, Yang Yang displayed a keen awareness, seemingly having eyes in the back of his head. Sensing no defender behind him, he quickly pivoted to track the ball's trajectory.

As the ball was played to the right, Maduro surged forward to intercept Yang Yang. Unexpectedly, Yang Yang didn't wait for him to close in; instead, he deftly flicked the ball with the inside of his right foot to Henk Dimer before sprinting past Maduro.

Caught off guard, Maduro recovered quickly as Henk Dimer promptly returned the ball to him. The two executed a seamless one-two in the center-right area. By the time Yang Yang received the ball again, he had crossed the center line and approached Ajax's 30-meter zone.

A roar erupted throughout the stadium. In recent games, whenever Yang Yang found himself in such a position, he always posed a threat, and the fans believed this time would be no different. Chants of "Yang Yang" echoed from the stands.

Yang Yang accelerated with the ball, with Emmanuelson tracking back to bolster the defense beside him. Ahead loomed Ajax's left-sided center-back Vermaelen, a formidable obstacle, especially with his agility despite not being tall.

Yang Yang had struggled to outmaneuver him on previous occasions. Against top-tier opponents like Ajax, such opportunities were rare, and Yang Yang couldn't afford to squander them.

How would he navigate past these two defenders?

Upon entering the 30-meter box, Yang Yang suddenly decelerated, allowing Emmanuelson to surge past him. Ajax's left-back was caught off guard and had to hastily backtrack towards Yang Yang.

Just as Emmanuelson closed in, Yang Yang explosively accelerated, leaving Emmanuelson trailing behind.

Vermaelen closed in swiftly, attempting a left-footed tackle, but Yang Yang cleverly pulled the ball back with his left foot and flicked it outward with his right, trying to elude the Belgian defender.

Reacting promptly, Vermaelen tried to intercept, but Yang Yang's rapid footwork and precise dribbling made it challenging for him to anticipate the direction.

Taking advantage of his continuous changes of direction reminiscent of Ronaldo's step-overs, Yang Yang had plotted his moves carefully after passing Emmanuelson. Anticipating Vermaelen's block attempt, Yang Yang executed several feints—feinting left, then swiftly shifting right, and vice versa—leaving Vermaelen unable to predict his next move and ultimately breaking through successfully.

Caught off guard by the sudden change, Vermaelen instinctively grabbed at Yang Yang's jersey to stop him, but Yang Yang deftly evaded the grasp, leaving Vermaelen grasping thin air.

The sequence unfolded in an instant, mesmerizing spectators as Yang Yang skillfully evaded Emmanuelson and then outmaneuvered Vermaelen with his intricate footwork.

The stadium erupted in thunderous cheers as Yang Yang sprinted into the Ajax penalty area at breakneck speed.

Goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer made a critical decision, rushing out to narrow the angle and thwart Yang Yang's shot. However, with a deft step-over feint with his right foot—feigning right before quickly shifting left—Yang Yang outwitted the keeper. Evading Vermeer's grasp, he calmly slotted the ball into the empty net, scoring the match's first goal.

The stadium exploded with jubilation as the ball rolled into the net.

Yang Yang leapt up from the turf in exhilaration, swiftly pivoted, and sprinted towards his teammates, arms raised high, shouting exuberantly to release his inner jubilation. As he passed by Babel, he let out a loud cheer.

In that instant, he couldn't help but notice the annoyed look on Babel's face, which amused him greatly.

Thousands of fans in the stadium echoed in unison, chanting "Yang Yang".

Surrounded by his teammates, Yang Yang was embraced tightly in the center, celebrating the moment together.

...

...

"Always shifting direction and deftly controlling the ball, he seems to be mastering all of Ronaldo's famous skills," chuckled Van Basten from the chairman's box.

This maneuver has been attempted by many players, but Ronaldo remains the most renowned for its execution, whether in the Eredivisie, La Liga, or even Serie A, where defensive precision is paramount. Ronaldo's knack for sudden changes of pace and his trademark step-overs are the stuff of nightmares for defenders, amplified by his incredible speed and explosiveness.

Aside from the chairman and the fans, Fred Arroyo was equally thrilled, having been the one to recommend Yang Yang to Ajax. The better Yang Yang performed, the more Arroyo's scouting instincts were validated.

Smiling at Van Basten's remark, Arroyo responded, "He admires two people: you, Marco, and Ronaldo."

Yang Yang's respect for Van Basten was evident in the way he dashed out to shake the coach's hand before the game, a determined look on his face. His admiration for Ronaldo shone through in his eagerness to replicate the star's moves.

From his adept execution of step-overs to his swift changes in speed and direction, Yang Yang was clearly making rapid strides.

Van Basten had no doubt about Arroyo's assessment; after all, such skills come down to practice.

Performing these moves flawlessly in an empty field is one thing; applying them effectively against defenders, as Yang Yang did, requires relentless practice and dedication.

"All players start by emulating their idols," mused Van Basten. "This boy is certainly intriguing."

...

...

Yang Yang's goal gave Almere a surprising 1-0 lead over Ajax on their home turf.

The goal sparked jubilation among the Almere players, but it also served as a wake-up call for Ajax, particularly for Vermaelen and Emmanuelson.

Emmanuelson acknowledged his defensive lapse that allowed Yang Yang to capitalize on the opportunity.

Vermaelen, on the other hand, blamed himself for being outsmarted by Yang Yang's clever play.

Feeling the sting of conceding a goal, both defenders redoubled their efforts to contain Yang Yang. Emmanuelson, in particular, shadowed him closely, denying him space to maneuver.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Ajax team launched a barrage of attacks in search of an equalizer. However, their eagerness to score led to impatience, and Babel's attempts on goal often faltered. Consequently, Ajax failed to find the net by halftime, trailing 1-0.

Almere, too, felt the strain of withstanding Ajax's relentless offensive pressure for nearly 50 minutes. The physical toll was evident as some Almere players returned to the dressing room with signs of fatigue, battling cramps and shortness of breath.

Coach Johnny Rep recognized the immense effort exerted by his team in the first half and understood their limitations. At halftime, he encouraged them to maintain their hard work and hold on to their precious 1-0 lead for as long as possible.