Chapter 407: Another 13-0, Japan is Shocked!

Chapter 407: Another 13-0, Japan is Shocked!

Seeing the glaring score on the field, the president of the Japanese Football Association, Daini Kuniya, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. Before the game, he was confident in Japan's strength and didn't think they would suffer the same fate as the Chinese team. Therefore, he didn't bother to ask the Spanish team to hold back. But now, he realized he might have overestimated their abilities. The current score was already embarrassing for the Japanese Football Association. If the Spanish team continued to score in the second half, Japan might end up nailed to the same pillar of shame as China. So, he was considering whether to go over and have a word with the Spanish officials.

In the Spanish locker room, Del Bosque briefly went over the tactics for the second half and reminded the players to be cautious of fouls and avoid injuries. After that, he let the players relax. It was just a friendly match, and with such a huge lead, there was no way Japan could turn things around. If Japan had that kind of strength, they would have won the last World Cup.

With the team leading by a large margin, the players were having a blast in the locker room. Morata even pulled out a microphone and started singing, his voice so terrible it filled every corner of the room. The players couldn't take it and collectively covered their ears, but Morata just laughed and kept singing, enjoying the chaos he was causing.

Sergio Ramos finally couldn't take it anymore and led a group to chase Morata, who ran into the shower area trying to lock himself in. However, Lin Quan had already anticipated this and closed the door ahead of him. Morata's screams echoed as he was playfully beaten by his teammates. When Lin Quan opened the door again, Morata's face was swollen, but he was still smiling, earning Lin Quan's admiration for his resilience.

"Morata, do you want to score in the second half?" Lin Quan asked, to which Morata eagerly nodded. Lin Quan then whispered some instructions to him.

At the start of the second half, Japan, unwilling to accept their defeat, launched an attack against Spain. However, with the Spanish main squad now on the field, their defense had significantly improved, and Japan's attacks quickly fizzled out. Spain, seeing Japan's persistence, decided to press on and secure their dominance. The Spanish players, growing more relaxed and confident, began to enjoy the game as they easily outplayed their opponents.

Five minutes into the second half, a Japanese defender, too tense, committed a handball in the penalty area. The referee hesitated but eventually awarded a penalty to Spain. Lin Quan, Spain's designated penalty taker, stepped up and scored with a cheeky Panenka, making it 5-0. The Japanese goalkeeper, Eiji Kawashima, was left frustrated, feeling humiliated by the audacity of the shot.

Lin Quan's hat-trick only deepened the Japanese fans' admiration for him. Despite the score, they cheered for him, recognizing his unparalleled skill. However, this admiration did nothing to lift Japan's spirits. Spain continued their relentless assault, treating the match as preparation for their upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

For Spain, this game was a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their tactics and build team chemistry. Japan's attempt to challenge Spain only resulted in further humiliation, as the match continued with Spain dominating the field.

However, on the field, these young players seemed to have different ideas. Among the young players who had not been substituted, Isco, Morata, and Koke were particularly active, especially in the attack. They frequently caused trouble in the penalty area, giving the Japanese defenders a headache. If it were only these few players, Japan might not be so intimidated. After all, they had successfully contained these players' attacks in the first half.

But with Lin Quan on the field, the situation was completely different. After completing his hat-trick, Lin Quan voluntarily reduced his attacks on the penalty area and his shots, instead choosing to retreat to the back and assist his teammates.

In the 62nd minute, Lin Quan delivered a precise through ball to Morata, who made a clever reverse run, creating enough space to receive Lin Quan's pass. Before Eiji Kawashima could block it, Morata extended his long leg and tipped the ball into the net.

7-0!

The Japanese players on the field were numb. Scoring seemed as easy as drinking water for the opponents. How could they compete with that?

But Spain wasn't done scoring. In the 71st minute, Lin Quan and Isco performed a series of cross runs to distract the defenders. Finding a gap, Lin Quan passed the ball to Isco, who then swiftly inserted himself into the right side of the penalty area and took a shot. The ball hit the inside of the crossbar and bounced into the net.

Eiji Kawashima was stunned. What kind of godly shot was that? How was he supposed to save that?

8-0...

After scoring, Isco, Morata, and others excitedly ran to embrace Lin Quan. Good brothers for life! With a leader like Lin Quan, how could they not score?

Morata had never found scoring to be so easy. Even if his shooting accuracy was inconsistent, with someone continuously providing such high-quality passes, even his eighty-year-old grandmother could score!

Morata hoped that in the club, he could also be on the same team as Lin Quan. He had heard rumors from his club that Juventus might bid for Lin Quan this summer. He wondered if Lin Quan would be willing to join their small club. If not, Morata thought, he wouldn't mind going to Manchester City to play. After all, he had always admired Manchester City since he was a child (smiley face)!

Lin Quan felt there was no need for Morata and Isco to be so grateful. Since he promised to help them score, he would keep his word.

After the score increased to 8-0, Spain's desire to score diminished. However, Japan kept giving them opportunities. In the 77th minute, Lin Quan was breaking into the penalty area when substitute Yasuyuki Konno made a sliding tackle but missed the ball.

Beep!

The referee reluctantly blew his whistle for the foul, gave Konno a yellow card, and pointed to the penalty spot again. Lin Quan accepted the gift, patted the dirt off his backside, and got up. A minute later, Kawashima was once again on the ground, and the ball was lying quietly in Japan's net.

Kawashima felt like crying. Why did he have to bear the consequences of his teammates' mistakes?

9 goals conceded in one game, more than he usually concedes in ten games! Is this for real?

The Japanese fans in the stadium were also numb. Since a heavy defeat to the Philippines in 1917, Japan had never suffered such a heavy defeat at home. Were they about to witness history, seeing their national team set a new record for the biggest loss?

Despite their team being thoroughly beaten, some fans felt a strange anticipation. Spain had initially intended to take it easy, but Lin Quan's goal made the score 9-0. With the score so close to double digits, those with OCD couldn't stand it.

In the final moments, Spain's attacks became fierce again. Japan, utterly defeated, seemed to be sleepwalking on the field.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

In this dazed state, they were powerless to resist Spain's attacks. Before the final whistle, the score was set at 13-0.

The score was identical to the game against China. Finally, China wasn't alone. Another team had been defeated by Spain with a double-digit score.

With Spain's help, Japan set a new record in their football history after 98 years. Players involved in this game would surely describe it with pride to their descendants.

"Is this it? Is this Japan's strength? So strong!"

"Well done, Spain!"

"Haha, I love seeing those who think they're doing well get knocked down!"

"Hehe, I wonder how the Japanese will brag now!"

Seeing Japan's defeat, Chinese fans were elated, as if it was New Year. When they were thrashed by Spain, the Japanese had ridiculed them online, calling them the "sick men of East Asia" and claiming Japan would never suffer such a fate. Some Japanese fans even boasted that Japan had a 30% chance of beating Spain. But Japan's outcome was no better than China's, perhaps even worse since Lin Quan started the match against China but came off the bench against Japan. If Lin Quan had started, the score might have been even more lopsided.

This humiliating defeat shook Japan's football world and the entire nation. After the game, Japan entered a period of introspection. Soon, the Japanese Football Association sent many players and technical staff to Spain for training, embarking on a comprehensive reform to learn from Spanish football.