Toulon Cup Second Match: France U21 vs China U20

"In the early hours of Beijing time, the China U-20 team departed for the French Toulon Cup. 

"Due to the rushed nature of this trip, the preparations were less than ideal. The team didn't arrive in Toulon until 1 a.m. on the day of their first match. After only a brief rest, they faced their opening group game against Colombia that same evening. 

"Despite the numerous challenges, the China U-20 players showed immense determination, overcoming every obstacle through sheer effort and teamwork. In their first match, they secured a convincing 3-0 victory over South American giants Colombia, a result that set them on course for the Toulon Cup. 

"Young Ajax player Yang Yang delivered a solid performance." 

... 

Following the match, China U-20 head coach Zhang Huarong spoke with reporters. 

"Our journey to Toulon was incredibly challenging. The players gave everything they had to win under such difficult circumstances, which speaks volumes about their commitment and desire to win. I'm very proud of their efforts," he said. 

"Given the rushed preparations and the fact that some of our key players couldn't play, we only showed about 60% of our true potential. Yang Yang, in particular, did well, but there's still room for improvement." 

Zhang added, "Although this was Yang Yang's first time playing for the national team, he left a strong impression on me. His skill, ball control, and movement on the field were exceptional. I believe his experience with Ajax has helped him develop significantly, and one of our main goals moving forward is to fully unlock his potential." 

... 

Yang Yang also spoke with reporters after the match. 

"Since this was our first game, my teammates and I are still getting used to each other, but everyone worked incredibly hard and gave their best, which is why we managed to beat Colombia," Yang Yang said. 

When asked about the coach's praise, he replied humbly, "Did the coach say I played a big role? I don't think so—this victory was all about the collective effort of the team." 

On his own performance, Yang Yang was self-critical. "I'd give myself about 60 points. There's definitely room for improvement." 

Looking ahead, he remained focused. "What's next for me? I'm just taking it one game at a time, trying to do my best. Wearing this jersey is an honor, and I'll do everything I can to uphold its dignity." 

As for his career, Yang Yang admitted he was still thinking about the future. "I haven't given it much thought yet. I'm only 17. I know I have a long way to go. Right now, I just want to keep improving at Ajax. It's a great platform, especially with them playing in European competitions every year. My goal is to become a regular starter as soon as possible." 

When asked about his contract with Ajax, Yang Yang was optimistic. "Yes, my agent is in discussions with the club about a renewal. There shouldn't be any issues." 

... 

... 

As reported by national television, the media in China have been closely following the developments at the Toulon Cup. 

The China U-20 team's 3-0 victory over Colombia in their first group match sent waves of excitement through the domestic press and fanbase. Yang Yang's debut for the national team, while not making him the standout star of the match, was still widely appreciated by football analysts. His performance, although brief, gained recognition for showcasing his European-level experience. 

Football pundits across the country highlighted that despite Yang Yang playing just over 20 minutes as a substitute, his impact on the game was significant, contributing to the creation of all three goals. 

"A player's contribution isn't only about scoring or directly assisting," said one expert. "In Yang Yang's case, he demonstrated the qualities of a key player. Colombia was well aware of his threat, and they avoided putting him in one-on-one situations with their defenders because they knew they couldn't contain him that way." 

"Yang Yang took advantage of that, drawing defenders and freeing up space for his teammates. Chen Tao's assist to Zhu Ting and Liu Yu's cross to Mao Jianqing both stemmed from Yang Yang's intelligent positioning and passing. Even Hao Junmin's goal came from Yang Yang's sharp vision." 

The consensus among pundits was that Yang Yang's performance reflected the level of a European professional player. "His role as a 'super sub' at Ajax isn't just by chance, and his Champions League-winning goal is no fluke." 

The day after the match, national broadcasters once again covered the China U-20 team's progress in the Toulon Cup. One of the main topics of focus was the "special discussion class" organized by the national youth coaching staff to assess their performance and take lessons from the game. 

As coach Zhang Huarong explained in an interview, "We have a saying in China: 'There is no order in learning; anyone who teaches is a teacher.' Even though Yang Yang is only 17, he plays like a thinking footballer. His understanding of the game is exceptional, and his academic background could even lead him to the University of Amsterdam. His experience in Dutch football offers invaluable insights for the entire team." 

Zhang further emphasized the importance of understanding the gap between Chinese and European football: "By organizing such seminars, we hope our players can clearly see the differences between themselves and the top levels of European football. It's only by acknowledging that gap that we can improve." 

Yang Yang, however, downplayed the idea of passing on experience, insisting it was more of an opportunity for open dialogue and mutual understanding. 

In his own interview, Yang Yang expressed that Chinese football still had a long way to go to catch up with Europe. "I've learned a lot during my time in Europe, but I think we need more Chinese players competing abroad. It's not about chasing fame, but about playing and growing as a player." 

In addition to the praise from the coaching staff, the China U-20 players themselves commended Yang Yang in post-match interviews. Chen Tao, who had been voted the best player of the first game, was particularly humble. 

"I think the best player in the first match was Yang Yang. He showed me the clear gap between me and European players. I hope I'll have the chance to play in Europe and continue improving." 

The media and fans gave high marks to Yang Yang's debut and acknowledged that his presence brought noticeable and positive changes to the China U-20 team. 

However, many analysts cautioned that while the victory over Colombia was important, the second match against hosts France would be the true test. 

Unlike China's U-20 team, which was primarily composed of 19- and 20-year-olds, France's U-21 squad had players aged 21 or younger, many of whom were already playing regularly in Ligue 1 or other top European leagues. The overall strength and depth of the French team were formidable, and the upcoming match would be a big challenge for China U-20. 

In a media interview, head coach Zhang Huarong confirmed that Yang Yang would start in the second match. He promised that the team would give everything to secure a win against the French hosts and make it two victories in a row. 

Meanwhile, domestic fans were buzzing with anticipation for the next game, eager to see how the China U-20 team would fare. Major websites across the country were preparing for extensive coverage of the game, although it would not be televised live. Instead, updates would be provided through text messages to keep fans informed in real time. 

... 

... 

On the evening of June 3 in Toulon, France, China U-20 faced their second group-stage match, this time against the formidable France U-21 team. 

Compared to their first game against Colombia, the Chinese side made three changes to their starting lineup. Yang Yang was positioned up front, partnering with Zhu Ting, while Chen Tao maintained his role on the right in midfield, and Hao Junmin remained on the left. The team adopted a double-pivot midfield system, and central defender Feng Xiaoting anchored the backline. The rest of the positions remained unchanged. 

Despite two days of training, Yang Yang's integration with his teammates was still far from perfect. The France U-21 team, aware of his threat, kept him under tight surveillance. Central defender Michaël Ciani stayed close to Yang, and with defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini offering additional cover, it was difficult for Yang Yang to find clear opportunities. 

Flamini, an intelligent player, had impressed for Marseille in the previous season, despite often being used as a substitute. His performance in the UEFA Cup final caught the eye of Arsène Wenger, who secured his transfer to Arsenal for the upcoming season. His reputation for tough, tactical play was well-earned, and he made sure Yang Yang had little space to operate. 

Under such intense pressure, Yang Yang reverted to the tactics he had used against Colombia—relying on his relentless running to pull defenders away and create chances for his teammates. However, unlike the South Americans, the French team was far more disciplined in their tactical approach. Their defensive structure was tighter, and their overall technical ability posed a greater challenge for China. 

From the outset, France dominated possession, pinning China inside their own defensive third. For much of the first half, the Chinese players were forced to defend desperately, weathering wave after wave of French attacks. The one-sided nature of the match shocked both the Chinese fans in the stands and the local French supporters following the game. 

China's first real attacking opportunity came in the ninth minute, thanks to a counter-attack orchestrated by Yang Yang. Receiving a pass from Chen Tao on the right wing, Yang quickly advanced, dribbling past defenders as he charged toward the penalty area. He squared the ball to Zhu Ting, who found himself in a good position but mistimed his shot, wasting a golden chance. 

Despite the miss, France continued to press forward relentlessly. Their front duo, Florent Sinama Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec, both from Liverpool, caused constant problems with their individual skill and movement. The Chinese defense, however, held firm under the pressure, with goalkeeper Guan Zhen making several important saves. 

In the 25th minute, Yang Yang was once again involved in a Chinese counter-attack. Using his body to shield the ball from Flamini, Yang played a clever pass behind French left-back Jérémie Berthod. Chen Tao, anticipating the play, rushed forward to intercept and sent in a cross from the edge of the box, only for French defender Julio Colombo to head it clear. 

Seven minutes later, Yang Yang received a long pass from deep in the Chinese half. After taking a couple of touches to steady himself, he unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. The strike was well-hit, but the French goalkeeper was well-positioned and reacted quickly to make the save. 

The first half ended in a goalless stalemate, with neither side able to break the deadlock. Although China had created a few chances, they were largely on the back foot, with Yang Yang standing out as the lone bright spot in an otherwise defensive display. 

As the second half began, both coaches opted to keep their starting lineups unchanged, and the game continued in the same pattern. The French team pressed high, creating several dangerous opportunities, but China's defense, led by Guan Zhen's outstanding goalkeeping, held firm. 

Around the 60th minute, Yang Yang began to sense a shift in momentum. Ciani, who had been marking him closely, seemed to be tiring, struggling to keep pace with Yang's constant movement. France, eager to push for a winning goal, decided to substitute Ciani and switched to a more aggressive formation with three defenders. 

This tactical change opened up space for Yang Yang. He realized the opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived. 

"Chen Tao!" Yang called out, taking advantage of a dead-ball situation to run over to his teammate on the right side. 

After 60 minutes of intense play, Chen Tao was visibly exhausted, panting heavily. He glanced at Yang Yang, whose relaxed posture and seemingly boundless energy made him feel a mix of admiration and shame. 

"You can pass the ball to me," Yang said confidently. 

"How do you want it?" Chen Tao asked, still catching his breath. 

Yang Yang thought for a moment. "Just get it to me as far as possible. If you're under pressure, don't overthink it—just pass it into space." 

Chen Tao understood immediately. He knew Yang Yang was their most dangerous player on the field, and getting the ball to him in any way possible could create the breakthrough they needed. He nodded, signaling his agreement. 

The French team was pressing higher than ever, leaving gaps in their defense that Yang Yang was eager to exploit. Now it was time to capitalize on that space. 

... 

... 

As soon as the game resumed, Yang Yang expanded his area of play, frequently drifting to the right flank in search of space. With Ciani replaced and France pushing more players forward, the Chinese defense came under intense pressure. However, the switch to a three-defender formation exposed gaps on the flanks, which Yang Yang looked to exploit. 

Time and again, Yang Yang found open space on the right side, but either his teammates were too slow to react or the quality of their passes was poor, resulting in interceptions. Despite these setbacks, Yang Yang never stopped running, chasing every opportunity. Each time a pass went astray, he offered his teammates an encouraging thumbs-up, reminding them not to lose confidence. 

His patience and determination began to resonate with the rest of the team. Seeing Yang Yang's relentless effort sparked a renewed sense of hope among his teammates. Even though mistakes were made, the Chinese players drew inspiration from his attitude. 

Yang Yang knew well that football is about perseverance—failures don't matter as long as you capitalize on the right moment when it comes. 

France continued to pile on the pressure, with their midfield trio of Flamini, Mavuba, and Berthod controlling the flow of the game. Their technical superiority was clear, and it became increasingly difficult for Yang Yang to connect with his teammates. But Yang Yang was clever. He began to drop deeper, pulling the French defense out of shape and creating new gaps. 

When Yang Yang dropped into the space between Berthod and Flamini, it created uncertainty in the French defense. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. 

At one point, Chen Tao attempted a through ball to Yang Yang but was immediately tackled by a French defender. Forced to pass backward, the ball found Liu Yu, who quickly sent a long ball toward Yang Yang hovering just outside the 30-meter mark. 

However, the pass lacked precision, leaving Yang Yang in an awkward position. He had to make a split-second decision—if he tried to chest the ball, he'd lose momentum; controlling it with his feet would leave him vulnerable to Flamini, who was closing in fast. 

Activating his [God's Vision] ability, Yang Yang quickly assessed the situation. Instead of directly competing for the ball, he cleverly used his body to block Flamini, who was about to challenge him, allowing the ball to bypass both of them. At the last moment, Yang Yang spun on his heel and chased the ball down at full speed, leaving Flamini behind, completely wrong-footed. 

The unexpected maneuver caught everyone off guard, from the spectators in the stands to the French defenders. Cheers erupted from the Chinese students in the crowd, who sensed that this could be the moment they had been waiting for. 

Yang Yang adjusted his pace as he gained control of the ball, bursting forward past the halfway line and into the French half. The roar of the crowd grew louder with every stride. 

Berthod, the French left-back, raced across to stop him, but Yang Yang's blistering pace was unmatched. With a swift touch, he pushed the ball ahead and sped past Berthod, leaving the defender trailing as he surged into the French 30-meter zone. 

Now, only the goalkeeper, Jérémy Gavanon, stood between Yang Yang and the goal. 

Gavanon, seeing the danger, made the split-second decision to rush out from his line. He knew the risk—if he could close Yang Yang down, he might force an error or buy enough time for his defenders to recover. If not, the worst-case scenario was conceding a goal. 

As Yang Yang approached the edge of the penalty area, Gavanon rushed forward, positioning himself near the penalty spot. Sensing Gavanon's advance, Yang Yang slowed his run slightly, then suddenly dropped his left shoulder, feinting as if to shift the ball to his left side. 

The move caused Gavanon to commit to the left, instinctively diving sideways. But just as Gavanon moved, Yang Yang swiftly flicked the ball to his right, executing a perfectly timed step-over that left the goalkeeper completely beaten. 

In a flash, Yang Yang slipped past Gavanon and, with ease, rolled the ball into the empty net. 

1-0! China U-20 took the lead! 

The Chinese fans in the stands erupted in celebration, standing to their feet in astonishment. Many had seen Yang Yang's step-over move in videos and highlights, but witnessing it live on the field was something entirely different. The sheer speed and skill with which Yang Yang executed the move had left everyone in awe. 

As Yang Yang turned to celebrate, his teammates rushed over to embrace him. The Chinese U-20 team had done the unthinkable—taking the lead against a strong French side on their home turf, thanks to a moment of brilliance from their star player. 

... 

... 

"The Chinese U20 team has scored a goal!!!" 

"In the 78th minute, the Chinese U20 team found the back of the net!!!!" 

"Yang Yang! Yang Yang!!" 

"We've finally witnessed the moment we've all been waiting for—Yang Yang's goal!!!" 

"The step-over move was absolutely brilliant! Yang Yang used his trademark skill to dribble past the French goalkeeper and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net!" 

"1-0! China is now temporarily ahead of the host team, France!" 

"The Chinese players are ecstatic, all rushing to celebrate with Yang Yang. This goal was a showcase of individual brilliance, a moment of sheer class." 

"Yang Yang carried the ball nearly 70 meters, beat three French defenders, fooled the goalkeeper with a dazzling step-over, and slotted the ball home into the empty net. It was a perfect demonstration of Yang Yang's skill and strength!" 

"This is the Yang Yang we've all been waiting for!" 

... 

As the live text broadcast continued, the internet erupted with excitement. 

Countless fans following the match online cheered from across the country. Despite the lack of a live television broadcast, and though they couldn't witness the goal directly, the text updates painted a vivid picture. The weight of the moment, the beauty of Yang Yang's performance, and the excitement of the commentator were enough to capture the imagination of fans everywhere. 

The flood of exclamation points reflected the writer's own exhilaration, making it easy for every fan to feel the sheer joy of the moment. 

... 

"1-0! That could very well be the winning goal!" 

"On the touchline, head coach Zhang Huarong is embracing his coaching staff in excitement." 

"Yang Yang himself is overjoyed. This is his first goal for the national team, and it was an incredible long-range effort. He beat three defenders on his way to goal, making this a truly memorable strike." 

"The French team's morale has taken a serious hit after Yang Yang's goal." 

"Conceding a goal like that so late in the game would demoralize any team, and France is no exception." 

"The Chinese players, full of excitement, rushed to the touchline to celebrate with Yang Yang, who has truly made his mark." 

"If Yang Yang's performance in the first match left some questioning his form, tonight he silenced any doubts. With a moment of brilliance, he showed why he's not just a Champions League hero for Ajax, but also a national hero for the China U-20 team. He is the same player who scored the decisive goal in the UEFA Champions League final, and now, in this game, he's the hero for China." 

... 

... 

"Fantastic!" 

"That goal was incredible!" 

"I admire you so much—what a masterpiece!" 

"Scoring a goal like that? Hats off to you!" 

Yang Yang's teammates rushed toward him, congratulating him one by one. The excitement was palpable as they surrounded him, expressing their awe and admiration for his stunning goal. 

Yang Yang was in high spirits. Scoring his first goal for China U-20 was a special moment. Although it might not carry the same weight as his goal in the Champions League final, the significance was just as profound. He knew this was just the beginning. 

With this shirt on, he was determined to score many more goals for the Chinese national team. 

Because he is Chinese, and he knew how much that meant. 

At the urging of the Japanese referee, Yang Yang shared a final embrace with his teammates before returning to the pitch. But before heading back, he made sure to run to the touchline to high-five Wei Zhen and the coaching staff. He also waved to the Chinese students in the stands, acknowledging their support. 

As play resumed, the referee announced four minutes of stoppage time. 

Desperation took hold of the French team as they threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Meanwhile, China shifted to a full defensive mode, pulling almost everyone back into their own 30-meter zone to defend the hard-fought lead. 

For 80 minutes, the French had failed to break through the Chinese defense. Now, with China leading, their morale was sky-high. The players dug deep, defending with everything they had, making sure the French had no opportunities to turn the tide. 

The clock ticked beyond the four minutes of stoppage time, and the referee seemed to let the game go on for nearly five minutes, sparking frustration from the Chinese coaching staff. There were murmurs that the referee might be favoring the host team. 

But finally, the long-awaited whistle blew, and the Chinese players and coaches erupted in celebration. 

Yang Yang's brilliant solo goal had secured a 1-0 victory for China over hosts France. Coming off their 3-0 triumph against Colombia, this was another vital win. 

In the first round of the group stage, France had drawn 0-0 with Turkey, so after two matches, China sat at the top of the group with two wins and 6 points. Colombia, who had earlier beaten Turkey 2-1, were in second place with 3 points. France and Turkey, with a draw and a loss each, were left with only 1 point apiece. 

The final round would see Colombia face France, while China would take on Turkey. Regardless of the results, China had already secured their place in the semi-finals of the Toulon Cup with their two consecutive victories.