World Cup Qualifier III

On the evening of March 25, in Tianjin. 

After several days of intense training, the Chinese national team was ready for their second group match in the final round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers. This time, they faced a formidable opponent—Japan—on home ground. 

China entered this match with momentum, having secured a narrow 1-0 away win against Iran. Meanwhile, Japan had recently bested North Korea 2-1 at home. A victory in this match would give China a strong advantage in the group, and both teams knew the stakes were high, resulting in cautious approaches from both sides. 

For Japan, the match had an extra layer of tension. Memories of their 3-0 defeat to China in the recent Asian Cup final were still fresh, adding a sense of urgency to their play. 

Arie Haan, determined to maintain China's winning form, set up a daring 4-3-3 formation. He deployed a young attacking trio in the forward line—Yan Song, Yang Yang, and Chen Tao. With Yang Yang only 18, Chen Tao just 20, and Yan Song at 24, this "trident" represented the youngest forward lineup in Chinese national team history. Veterans like Li Jinyu, Li Yi, and Hao Dong found themselves either on the bench or left off the squad, marking a significant shift in team dynamics. 

Arie Haan had been vocal about rejuvenating the national team, especially with the upcoming World Cup next year. He believed the team needed new energy, and some established players were no longer fit for the demanding international stage. 

While the forward lineup showcased fresh faces, the defense remained stable. The backline consisted of Sun Xiang on the left, Zheng Zhi and Li Weifeng as central defenders, and Wei Xin on the right, with Liu Yunfei guarding the goal. Arie Haan had expressed confidence in the backline's consistency and had no intention of adjusting this core. 

In midfield, Arie Haan made strategic changes. In the previous match against Iran, he had opted for a more conservative three-midfielder setup, which helped solidify the team's shape. However, for this match, he decided to shift to a more attacking arrangement. Shao Jiayi was positioned as an advanced playmaker, with Zhao Junzhe and Zhou Haibin forming a defensive midfield pairing to anchor the center. 

Tactically, while Arie Haan remained cautious in his approach, he was by no means conservative. His formation reflected a balanced yet aggressive intent, aiming to stabilize the defense while empowering the youthful front line to make their mark. 

... 

... 

As soon as the game kicked off, both teams began probing each other's defenses, cautiously exploring openings. 

In the first ten minutes, it was clear both sides were testing the waters, carefully gauging each other's strategies and defensive responses. The match was tense as each team looked for weaknesses to exploit. 

The first real threat came in the twelfth minute. Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, renowned for his creativity, delivered what looked like a shot-pass hybrid from just outside the box on the right. Liu Yunfei, the Chinese goalkeeper, read the situation quickly, diving decisively to deflect the ball away, preventing any follow-up attempt. 

Moments later, in the thirteenth minute, Shunsuke Nakamura, Japan's Serie A star playing for Reggina, charged down the left wing, skillfully breaking through the defense. Zhou Haibin attempted to halt Nakamura's advance with a hard tackle, bringing him down. The referee promptly showed Zhou Haibin the game's first yellow card, signaling he would not tolerate aggressive fouls in such a high-stakes match. 

With Japan pressing high and applying consistent pressure, the Chinese team soon found an opportunity to counter. 

Capitalizing on a quick break, Yang Yang sped up the left flank, expertly timing his run to receive a through pass from a teammate. He surged forward, deftly reaching the edge of the box before delivering a precise pass into the path of Shao Jiayi, who arrived in stride. Shao Jiayi fired off a powerful volley, but his attempt sailed high, drawing a collective gasp from the crowd. It was China's first shot of the match, though it ended up as little more than a warning to Japan. 

The Chinese team began to settle into their positions after this, growing more confident with each passing minute. They created several more opportunities, seizing control of the tempo. 

Around the 20th minute, Zhou Haibin swung a diagonal pass to Yang Yang, who skillfully shifted to the right, eyeing the Japanese defense. With two defenders closing in, Yang Yang suddenly surged forward, deftly slipping the ball between them and cutting inside toward the penalty area. With a sharp turn and a powerful left-footed strike, he unleashed a shot. The technique and power resembled his recent wonder goal against Alkmaar, though this time he was much closer. The ball whizzed just over the crossbar, but the quality and intent of the shot were undeniable. 

While it didn't find the net, Yang Yang's strike rattled the Japanese defense, visibly unsettling them. The spectators could see that Yang Yang's skill on the ball was giving him an edge over the Japanese defenders. His time at Ajax had clearly sharpened his play, drawing interest from Europe's top clubs. 

Emboldened by this close call, Yang Yang continued to seek opportunities. He took more active control, pushing forward with increased confidence and intensity. 

Just three minutes later, he dropped deeper into the midfield, raising his hand to signal for the ball. Positioned in a gap between Japan's midfield and backline, he received the pass, spun swiftly, and accelerated toward the penalty area. Forced to react quickly, the Japanese defenders struggled to close him down and resorted to a tactical foul to halt his progress. 

The referee immediately cautioned Japan's central defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto with a yellow card and awarded China a free kick in a promising position. It was a valuable set-piece opportunity, giving the Chinese team another chance to threaten Japan's goal. 

... 

... 

Yang Yang grabbed Shao Jiayi's outstretched hand and pulled himself up from the grass, brushing off dirt as he steadied himself. 

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto's foul had been both strong and calculated, effectively disrupting the play. The free kick spot was set slightly off to the left and a bit too far for a direct shot on goal. It was the kind of position that typically called for a creative set-piece rather than an attempt on goal. 

"How do we play this one?" Shao Jiayi asked, his face focused and intense. 

Yang Yang considered the setup, noticing the Japanese defense was already forming a line. "Let's work a short pass. I'll hover outside the penalty area and wait for the return," he suggested. 

After a quick nod from Shao Jiayi, Yang Yang moved with purpose but kept his distance from the penalty area, positioning himself just outside it. His movement drew the attention of Japan's defenders, who immediately allocated two players to track him closely, wary of a quick set-piece play. 

Li Weifeng, Zheng Zhi, and several others took up their positions in the box, signaling their understanding of the planned setup. As the referee blew the whistle, Shao Jiayi delivered the ball with precision, sending it into the Japanese penalty area in a low, arching trajectory. 

At first, Yang Yang appeared to be closing in on Shao Jiayi as if preparing for a close-range pass, prompting the Japanese defenders to track his movement closely. Then, with a sudden burst, he pivoted, cutting sharply toward the top of the penalty arc, momentarily losing his markers. 

The ball followed its intended path, curving toward Li Weifeng, who had maneuvered skillfully into position. Miyamoto was marking him tightly, blocking a direct shot at goal, but Li Weifeng anticipated this and executed a deft header back toward the top of the penalty area. 

Yang Yang arrived right on cue, controlling the ball with a well-timed touch to his right, just outside the reach of an advancing Japanese defender. In one fluid motion, he adjusted his stance, planted his left foot, and struck the ball with his right in a powerful, precise shot. 

"Yang Yang!!!" 

The ball curved beautifully through the air, bypassing the Japanese goalkeeper's outstretched hands, and buried itself in the back of the net. The stadium erupted. 

"Goal!!!!" 

"In the 23rd minute, Yang Yang has scored China's first goal of the match!" 

"This was a brilliant set-piece sequence by the Chinese team. Shao Jiayi's accurate delivery found Li Weifeng, who cleverly headed it back to the top of the box, where Yang Yang was perfectly positioned. He took one touch to evade his marker and unleashed a stunning strike with his right foot!" 

"From the edge of the arc, Yang Yang's shot was textbook, curling just inside the post to put China ahead, 1-0!" 

Yang Yang sprinted along the sideline, pumping his fists and waving his arms, urging the fans to raise their voices. The Chinese supporters responded with a thunderous roar, chanting his name in unison, a deafening show of support that echoed through the stadium. 

"The Japanese team had shown more attacking intent in the opening minutes, but the Chinese team remained composed, capitalizing on their first real chance. Yang Yang used his individual skill to create a free-kick opportunity and then completed the sequence with a brilliant finish." 

"This is his second shot of the game, and he's found the net already! Yang Yang's form has been outstanding—he's truly hitting his stride!" 

... 

... 

The game restarted, and Japan, now trailing by a goal, intensified their attack. 

Japan's experienced internationals, including Hidetoshi Nakata, Shinji Ono, and Shunsuke Nakamura, began to orchestrate a series of offensives, their fluid movement and passing creating a continuous threat. 

In the 33rd minute, Shinji Ono attempted a powerful long-range strike from 30 meters out. The shot narrowly skimmed past the post, leaving Chinese players and fans alike holding their breath. 

Just six minutes later, in the 39th minute, Japan won a corner. Nakata rose high above the defense and directed a header toward the near post, but it ricocheted off the side netting, coming perilously close to equalizing. 

After the break, Japan maintained their dominance, keeping the Chinese team largely confined to their own half. For the first ten minutes of the second half, China struggled to even cross into Japan's final third, a clear sign of Japan's grip on the game. 

However, in the 61st minute, China found an opening for a swift counterattack. Zhou Haibin delivered a precise pass to Yang Yang in the front, who skillfully shielded the ball from the Japanese center-back with his body. Spotting Yan Song's run, Yang Yang flicked the ball over to his left. Yan Song sprinted onto it, and with a quick, angled shot, took aim at goal. His effort, though powerful, narrowly missed the target, skimming just wide of the post. 

As the game continued, it seemed China might withstand Japan's relentless pressure. But in the 66th minute, Hidetoshi Nakata sent a well-timed cross from the left. Goalkeeper Liu Yunfei charged off his line to claim it, converging with Li Weifeng, who was also attempting to intercept. In the confusion, the ball slipped through their reach, allowing Japan's Takashi Fukunishi to pounce on the loose ball and deliver a precise volley into the back of the net. 

1-1. 

The equalizer visibly deflated the Chinese team's morale. It underscored the concerns Arie Haan had voiced before the match: the team's lack of experience and technical cohesion made them vulnerable to costly errors. Small mistakes, such as the lapse in communication between Liu Yunfei and Li Weifeng, could quickly turn into scoring opportunities for an opponent as disciplined as Japan. 

It was a moment that highlighted the pressure weighing on each player—two teammates, both eager to clear the ball, failed to coordinate, resulting in a costly miscommunication. The resulting goal wasn't due to a flaw in the team's formation or tactics but rather a product of the players' nerves and urgency. 

In the face of this setback, Yang Yang took it upon himself to rally his teammates. He moved between them, offering words of encouragement, urging them to stay focused and keep their heads up. His gestures didn't go unnoticed, and his resilience inspired the team to regroup, ready to push forward with renewed determination. 

... 

... 

Following the restart, Yang Yang played with renewed intensity, pushing forward to create chances for the Chinese team. 

A few minutes later, the team earned a free kick in the attacking third, quickly converting it into a dangerous play with a tactical setup that moved the ball deep into the penalty area. Yang Yang found himself in position at the far post, but his volley narrowly missed the target. 

Shortly after, Shao Jiayi launched an attack through the center. As he drove forward, Japanese midfielder Shinji Ono brought him down with a hard challenge, earning Ono a yellow card. Shao Jiayi took the resulting free kick himself, but his shot lacked precision, allowing the Japanese goalkeeper to make a comfortable save. 

Despite the setback of Japan's equalizing goal, China was determined to regain the lead, launching a series of promising attacks that kept Japan's defense on high alert. 

In the 77th minute, Yang Yang drifted out to the right flank, receiving a pass from Zhou Haibin. With a quick pivot, he turned inward and threaded a perfectly weighted diagonal ball toward the right edge of the penalty area. Chen Tao anticipated the pass and made a lightning-fast run to chase it down. 

Chen Tao felt a surge of gratitude as he sprinted after Yang Yang's assist. In just a week, his career outlook had transformed thanks to Yang Yang's support. With national television's Wei Zhen and Leader Zhu from the national team backing him, Chen Tao's club had finally agreed to let him pursue opportunities abroad. He now had a release clause of 700,000 euros, which gave him motivation to prove his worth in each game, including tonight's World Cup qualifier and the upcoming Youth Championships. 

Chen Tao pushed himself harder, fueled by the desire to impress potential European clubs. When he saw Yang Yang's perfectly placed pass, he felt a familiar rush, recalling a similar moment in last year's Toulon Cup. Back then, Yang Yang had trusted him with a pass just like this, and he had delivered. 

Japanese left-back Atsuhiro Miura, usually a midfielder but now covering in defense, tried to block Chen Tao's advance. Miura lunged forward as Chen Tao reached the ball at the byline. With quick reflexes, Chen Tao shielded the ball with his body, cutting inside past Miura and driving into the box, effectively breaking through Japan's defensive line. 

Yang Yang was waiting in the penalty area, watching Chen Tao's movement. He trusted his teammate completely. 

On the field, trust between players is crucial; without it, teamwork falters. As Chen Tao entered the box, Yang Yang made his move, anticipating the setup. 

Chen Tao delivered a low pass to the near side of the six-yard box, and Yang Yang was right there, timing his run perfectly. With a composed touch, he used the inside of his foot to slot the ball past the diving Japanese goalkeeper, who was unable to stop it as it slipped under him and into the net. 

2-1! 

"Goal!!!" 

"Yang Yang scores a brace!" 

"Yang Yang! Phenomenal from Yang Yang!" 

Yang Yang turned immediately to Chen Tao, grabbing his hand as they sprinted off together to celebrate, their joy palpable as they shared the moment with the roaring crowd. 

"This goal was all about Yang Yang and Chen Tao's fantastic teamwork," the commentator exclaimed. "Chen Tao, a former standout from the national youth team, has delivered a brilliant assist here, and his performance tonight has been outstanding." 

"The slow-motion replay shows the synergy between these two young players. Yang Yang's setup pass drew Chen Tao forward, allowing him to slice through Miura's defense at the byline with sheer skill. Chen Tao's composure and Yang Yang's finishing give us hope for the future of Chinese football." 

"Yang Yang's calm finish restores the lead for China. This partnership truly shines tonight." 

... 

... 

2-1! 

Yang Yang's second goal dealt a major blow to the Japanese team's spirit. The memory of their 3-0 defeat in the Asian Cup final only added to the sting. 

In response, Arie Haan made a quick substitution, bringing on Xu Yunlong to replace Chen Tao, reinforcing China's right-side defense. 

The match shifted entirely to China's rhythm of defensive counterattacks, as Japan pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Despite Japan's advances, the Chinese team kept Yang Yang and Yan Song forward as counterattack outlets, creating a tactical challenge that made it hard for Japan to fully commit to their offense. 

In the end, China held their lead and defeated Japan 2-1, securing their second consecutive victory in Group 2 of the World Cup qualifying final round. Yang Yang's brace made him the most talked-about star of the qualifiers, with four goals in two games, propelling China to the top of the group. 

When Haan subbed Yang Yang off in the 86th minute, the entire stadium rose to its feet. Chinese fans applauded their hero with fervor, acknowledging his instrumental role in the team's success. 

After the match, Yang Yang spoke with national TV, humbly attributing the win to the entire team's efforts. "It wasn't just me out there; every player's hard work earned us this victory. Our opponents—teams like South Korea, Japan, and Iran—might have an edge in certain areas, but we're showing that hard work and good tactics can help bridge that gap." 

Yang Yang also emphasized the importance of Chinese players seeking opportunities abroad. "European leagues provide a level of training that's invaluable for players' development. If more of us could play in high-level European leagues, it would undoubtedly raise the standard of Chinese football." 

Zheng Zhi, recently signed by Bundesliga club Mainz, shared Yang Yang's view. "I've only played a few games here, but the level of tactics and intensity in the Bundesliga is eye-opening. Take Klopp, for instance—he's not a big name yet, but his coaching style has been incredibly insightful for me. It's changed how I think about the game." 

Despite Yang Yang's modesty, the domestic media and fans were full of praise for him. Having scored the only goal against Iran and twice against Japan, he had been directly responsible for all three of China's goals so far, proving his importance to the national team. 

However, some media outlets downplayed the team's success, calling it a "temporary illusion" that would soon fade. Frustrated by such dismissive remarks, Yang Yang responded in an interview with one of China's leading sports media outlets. 

"I think many of these comments from the media are irresponsible," he stated. "Football is a team sport—even Maradona needed the support of talented teammates to achieve his legendary status. Coach Arie Haan may not be a household name, but he's proven his tactical capability. He's a product of Ajax's system, and even Barcelona's coach, Frank Rijkaard, uses a tactical setup inherited from that same tradition." 

Yang Yang addressed baseless rumors as well, saying, "Criticisms are one thing, but it's another to spread unfounded rumors. During the Asian Cup, some news outlets claimed that seven players got sick from attending a private celebration before a match. I was there, and it never happened." 

Recalling past criticism, Yang Yang continued, "During the Asian Youth Championships, certain media figures said we weren't worthy of winning, calling us 'mice that shouldn't leave their holes.' It was hurtful, and I remember a teammate asking if we should even be in the final given how our own media spoke of us." 

He expressed his dismay, stating, "I don't know what motivates these people, but I know that this behavior is harmful." 

"Football is about hope. Yes, our league has issues, our youth development needs work, and we're behind in certain areas, but no one has the right to belittle our efforts and aspirations for a second World Cup qualification." 

"Football should inspire. We've been through disappointments, and it's precisely because of that experience that we're so driven to win. Criticize where it's needed, but don't deny us the right to dream and to give our best." 

These words had been on Yang Yang's mind for a long time. From the Asian Cup to the Youth Championships, he had stayed quiet, but Chen Tao's recent struggles made him feel it was time to speak up. His bold statements cast a spotlight on domestic media practices, drawing support from fans and sparking a public debate about media credibility. 

As this discussion raged on, the Chinese national team traveled to North Korea for their next match. Despite the hostile environment, they triumphed 2-0, with goals from Chen Tao and Shao Jiayi. Yang Yang didn't score but provided a crucial assist and displayed his playmaking skill throughout. 

After returning from North Korea, Yang Yang headed straight back to Amsterdam, avoiding the media uproar. This time, he wasn't alone—Chen Tao, his national teammate, accompanied him, grateful for the opportunity to continue his journey under Yang Yang's guidance.