Eredivisie Debut
Amsterdam Arena
Yang Yang sat on the bench, absorbing the thunderous roar of the fans in the stands. His excitement was palpable.
He remembered the awe he felt in Almere when Johnny Rep had led the team through that grand stadium. It had been a profound source of inspiration, driving him to strive for greatness.
Now, half a year later, his long-awaited chance to play in this iconic stadium had arrived.
Ajax were facing Utrecht, currently eighth in the Eredivisie and known for their well-balanced approach to both attack and defense.
Following the midweek defeat to Club Brugge, Ronald Koeman had made several changes to his lineup.
Bogdan Lobonț remained in goal, with Maxwell, Escudé, Heitinga, and Trabelsi forming the defense. The Tunisian right-back had been solid in recent games, alleviating concerns about the position.
The midfield trio was unchanged with Van der Vaart, De Jong, and Sneijder, while Anthony Obodai played on the right wing, Wesley Sonck was the striker, and Mitea occupied the left.
Ajax's attacking setup struggled against Utrecht's defense, which proved challenging. Wesley Sonck found himself isolated and unable to make an impact.
Mitea's performance was particularly disappointing. His sluggishness led Ronald Koeman to substitute him at half-time, a clear sign of the coach's frustration.
Ibrahimović, who had been on the bench, was brought on as a substitute. His presence immediately made a difference, but despite his efforts, Ajax struggled to find the net, and the game remained scoreless.
Utrecht's 4-2-2 formation was well-balanced, especially for an away game. Their focus on defense made it difficult for Ajax to mount a serious attack. Ibrahimović and Wesley Sonck were in desperate need of quality passes from their teammates.
In the 60th minute, Utrecht's head coach, Foeke Booy, made his first substitution, bringing on left winger Joost Broerse for Toshiya Fujita. This move indicated a shift towards a counter-attacking strategy against Ajax.
Trabelsi and Maxwell worked hard on the flanks, but Utrecht's two center-backs were strong in the air. Booy aimed to exploit this to launch counter-attacks.
Ajax began to take more control of the game after the substitution, but Utrecht increasingly posed a threat with their counter-attacks, putting Ajax on the defensive.
Ajax's full-backs were hesitant to push forward for fear of being caught on the counter-attack, leaving the front line unsupported from the wings.
As the minutes ticked away, Yang Yang waited patiently for his chance.
Yang Yang's attention was fixed on Utrecht's left-back, Etienne Shew-Atjon. The Dutch-Surinamese player, standing at 1.83 meters, was known for his solid defensive positioning, although he wasn't particularly strong or fast. His right-footedness and average attacking ability, combined with decent passing and crossing skills, made him a manageable opponent for Yang Yang in a one-on-one situation on the wing.
Additionally, Utrecht's left center-back, Pascal Bosschaart, was left-footed, while their right center-back, Sander Keller, was right-footed. Both stood around 1.80 meters tall and lacked the physical presence to challenge Ibrahimović effectively, an advantage Ajax could potentially exploit.
However, Ajax struggled to move the ball wide, which limited Ibrahimović's effectiveness up front.
Yang Yang watched the game intently, occasionally discussing the situation with Vermaelen, who was sitting next to him. Although Vermaelen had made the squad, whether he would come off the bench was still uncertain.
As the game approached the 70th minute with the scoreline still deadlocked, Ronald Koeman decided it was time for a change.
Ruud Krol turned to the bench and signaled to Yang Yang. "Yang, you have three minutes to warm up."
Despite having prepared for this moment, Yang Yang was brimming with excitement. He stood up, removed his long-sleeved training jacket, and handed it to Vermaelen, sharing a quick hug with the Belgian defender.
"Do your best, and good luck!" Vermaelen said, his envy evident but overshadowed by genuine encouragement.
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"Look, he's about to play!" Wei Zheng exclaimed, jumping up in the stands of the Amsterdam Arena as he pointed out Yang Yang warming up. His excitement was palpable.
Beside him, his older brother Wei Zhen, a prominent sports director for a Chinese national TV channel, shouted to the photographer, "Get a picture of this!"
The Shen Ming family, who had secured tickets through Wei Zheng, was also in attendance, their faces filled with anticipation.
Following Yang Yang's impressive UEFA Champions League debut just three days earlier, he was now set to make his Eredivisie debut. Unlike the game in Belgium, this match was closer to home, allowing them to witness his performance in person.
"I hope he does well," Shen Ming said, his nerves evident.
His cousin, Shen Yuzhu, who was aware of Wei Zhen's esteemed role, was also deeply involved. She knew that Wei Zhen had traveled to the Netherlands specifically to cover Yang Yang's story.
On the sidelines, Yang Yang remained focused and undistracted by the cheers and applause from the fans. He concentrated on his warm-up, his mind set solely on the opportunity ahead.
As the game approached the 75th minute, during a break in play, Yang Yang was called to replace Anthony Obodai.
The stadium erupted in applause, the crowd recognizing the youngster's contribution to Ajax's remarkable progress from the group stage three days earlier. Now, they eagerly awaited his performance.
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After exchanging a quick hug with Obodai on the touchline, Yang Yang sprinted onto the pitch, ready to make his mark.
He noticed Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Ibrahimović, and Wesley Sonck all watching him closely. Determined to seize his moment, he took a deep breath and focused on his immediate task.
Yang Yang targeted Utrecht's left-back, Etienne Shew-Atjon. Having been booked in the 55th minute and playing for 20 minutes since, Shew-Atjon's energy was likely dwindling, giving Yang Yang confidence in his ability to outmaneuver him.
As the game resumed, Yang Yang quickly received the ball on the right wing. A pass from Sneijder set him up, and he made a direct run at Shew-Atjon. Yang Yang attempted a step-over to bypass the defender, but Shew-Atjon held his ground, forcing Yang Yang to shield the ball.
Unfazed, Yang Yang shifted the ball to his right, where Trabelsi had made a forward run. Trabelsi's cross into the penalty area, however, was too close to the goalkeeper, and Ponk gathered it with ease.
Ibrahimović, visibly frustrated, spread his arms in exasperation, as if to say, "Why cross into the six-yard box when I'm positioned outside it?"
Trabelsi, disheartened, shook his head and returned to his position with a rueful smile. As he passed Yang Yang, he reached out for a high-five, acknowledging Yang Yang's support and offering mutual encouragement.
A few minutes later, Trabelsi received the ball again and delivered a precise pass down the right wing. Yang Yang controlled the ball and faced Shew-Atjon once more. With no clear path to advance, he opted to pass back to Sneijder in midfield to regroup.
Although these attacks did not yield a goal, Ajax's right flank had become more dynamic.
Yang Yang used these moments to gauge Utrecht's defensive setup. The centre-backs, familiar with Ibrahimović's threat, were heavily focused on the Swedish striker, which made exploiting the central areas challenging.
Ajax began to adjust their formation, pulling their lines back to create space for a more aggressive front line. By slowing their pace, they aimed to enhance the speed of their attacks.
Yang Yang, attuned to the tactical shifts, remained patient and continued to seek opportunities.
Finally, in the 78th minute, De Jong intercepted the ball in midfield, and Sneijder sent a precise through ball behind Utrecht's defense. Yang Yang, using his trademark speed, sprinted past Etienne Shew-Atjon to chase the ball.
"The referee has kept the play on—no offside call. This is a promising attack for Ajax," the commentator announced.
"Yang Yang has the ball on the right, but Utrecht's left centre-back, Bosschaart, is closing in quickly."
"Let's see what Yang Yang does next."
"Yang Yang dribbles towards the edge of the penalty area, making several feints..."
"Suddenly, he accelerates with a brilliant step-over move, beating Shew-Atjon..."
"Having beaten the defender, Yang Yang swings in a cross to the far post..."
"And there's no Utrecht defender to challenge the ball!"
"Van der Vaart heads it in!"
"And it's a goal..."
"Gooooooooooooooooooal!!!!!!"
"What a superb move by Yang Yang to set up the goal!!!!!!"
"In the 78th minute, Ajax has made the crucial breakthrough on the right wing. Substitute Yang Yang crossed the ball to the far post, where Van der Vaart headed it in to make it 1-0!"
"Yang Yang's pass was exceptional. Ibrahimović and Sander Keller at the near post missed it, but Van der Vaart, unmarked behind them, was perfectly positioned."
"This is Ajax captain Van der Vaart's fifth league goal of the season."
"Just three days after providing two assists off the bench against Club Brugge, the teenager Yang Yang has once again proven to be a key player in tonight's match."
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At the end of the match against Utrecht, Wei Zhen approached Yang Yang in the mixed zone and asked about his biggest takeaway from making two consecutive first-team appearances.
Yang Yang's response was succinct: "Confidence."
Though a simple word, it carried significant weight.
In his debut against Club Brugge, Yang Yang wasn't preoccupied with overshadowing Van der Hayden. His sole focus was on contributing to the team's victory. Van Gaal's belief in him drove Yang Yang to work relentlessly to meet those expectations. The results were unexpected even for Yang Yang; he had not anticipated making such an impact against Van der Hayden.
During the post-match analysis in the Dream training system, Zax noted that Yang Yang could have performed even better. Yang Yang recognized that his effectiveness was partly due to coming off the bench and exploiting Van der Hayden's fatigue, but he didn't fixate on the details.
In the Eredivisie match against Utrecht, Ronald Koeman once again deployed Yang Yang as a substitute. Yang Yang's assist for Van der Vaart's goal and his threat on the right wing were crucial, though Ibrahimović and Wesley Sonck struggled to convert their chances. After more than seventy minutes of challenging right-back Etienne, who struggled to handle Yang Yang's fresh legs, it was clear that Yang Yang had made a notable impact.
Both appearances off the bench highlighted Yang Yang's ability to deliver under pressure, bolstering his position within the Ajax squad and winning the admiration of fans. His growing confidence allowed him to confront opponents directly and make bold dribbles.
This newfound confidence was on full display as he faced Breda's left-back, Adnan Barakat, in the KNVB Cup round of sixteen at the Amsterdam Arena.
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This was Ajax's first KNVB Cup match of the season, taking place in the round of sixteen.
The day before, Van Basten's Jong Ajax suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Twente. Yang Yang did not feature in that match, while Vermaelen returned to the second team and played the full game. Despite Vermaelen's strong performance, he couldn't prevent Twente from scoring, and the absence of Yang Yang notably diminished the attacking threat of the second team.
Jong Ajax's defeat meant all hopes were pinned on the first team. However, Breda posed a significant challenge.
In the fifth round of the Eredivisie, Ajax had entered Breda on a four-match winning streak, only to suffer a 4-2 defeat away from home. It was the first major crisis of confidence for Ronald Koeman's side this season.
Breda, a Dutch team with strong connections to Ajax, featured several former Ajax youth players. Among the starters tonight at the Amsterdam Arena were Nordin Boukhari, Stefano Seedorf, and left-back Adnan Barakat—all with links to Ajax. Boukhari and Seedorf were loaned out by Ajax in the summer to gain playing time, while Barakat, originally a left winger, transitioned to left-back to secure more game time after joining Breda from Ajax's youth ranks in 2002.
Ironically, these former Ajax youth players posed a formidable challenge, pushing Ajax to the brink of defeat.
In the 54th minute, Breda striker Ali Boussaboun scored a breakthrough goal with a fierce counter-attack.
In response, Ronald Koeman made a substitution, bringing on Van der Vaart for Obodai. Shortly after, Grygera, playing at right-back, sustained an injury, leading to another change with Yakubu replacing him at right-back.
The rapid sequence of substitutions disrupted Ajax's rhythm, and Breda head coach Ton Lokhoff adjusted his strategy to bolster the defence in both midfield and at the back, focusing on defensive counter-attacks.
By the seventy-fifth minute, Ajax's attack had yet to improve, and the frustration among the fans was palpable, with boos echoing from the stands at the Amsterdam Arena, reflecting their dissatisfaction with the team's performance on the pitch.
Ronald Koeman was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. The 4-2 away defeat to Breda had already inflicted significant damage to his reputation. A loss in tonight's match would not only draw severe criticism from fans and media alike but also jeopardize Ajax's prospects for securing their first league trophy of the season.
With the pressure escalating, Koeman made his third substitution in the 78th minute. Yang Yang emerged from the bench, replacing the left winger Mitea.
Upon his introduction, Yang Yang was deployed on the right wing, while Wesley Sonck shifted to the left flank, and Ibrahimović maintained his role as the central striker. The midfield was orchestrated by De Jong, Van der Vaart, and Sneijder, providing support for the attacking front line.
From the moment he entered the fray, Yang Yang demonstrated his influence. He immediately began to challenge Breda's left-back, Adnan Barakat, with his direct and aggressive play.
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Barakat, who had emerged from Ajax's youth academy but failed to secure a spot in the first team, was driven by deep-seated frustrations. He had been overshadowed by players such as Mitea, Daniël de Ridder, and Soetaers, and with the emergence of Ryan Babel, he was compelled to leave Ajax in search of more substantial opportunities elsewhere. This sense of dissatisfaction with Ajax's youth system had been simmering just beneath the surface.
Observing Mitea's performances and questioning why he, Barakat, hadn't been afforded similar chances only intensified his frustration. The rapid ascent of Yang Yang, who had made a significant impact off the bench in recent matches, only served to heighten his resentment.
As Yang Yang prepared to confront Barakat, the Breda defender felt a surge of determination to assert himself against the promising young talent. With the spotlight on him from the stands and television cameras, Barakat was eager to demonstrate his prowess and make a lasting impression.
However, Yang Yang's speed and agility posed a considerable challenge. Through quick, deceptive body feints, he misled Barakat into anticipating a move towards the wing. Instead, Yang Yang cut inside with precision, creating space and delivering a pinpoint cross into the penalty area.
Positioned advantageously, Ibrahimović utilized his height and physical presence to control the ball. With a deft turn and a powerful strike with his right foot, he scored, leveling the score at 1-1.
The Amsterdam Arena erupted in jubilation as Ibrahimović celebrated exuberantly and embraced Yang Yang. The fans, who had been disheartened moments earlier, were now invigorated by the equalizer.
With the score level, Ajax intensified their offensive efforts. In response, Breda's head coach, Ton Lokhoff, made two rapid substitutions to strengthen their midfield and defensive lines, aiming to shore up their defense against Ajax's renewed onslaught.
Yang Yang's impact on the right flank was significant. His energetic and dynamic play, evident since his introduction, created considerable problems for the Breda defense. In the 83rd minute, Yang Yang's aggressive play earned Ajax a free-kick after Breda centre-back Penders fouled him.
Unfortunately for Ajax, Sneijder's free-kick struck the wall rather than threatening the Breda goal.
The Amsterdam Arena was alive with the sound of cheering fans, their enthusiasm driving Ajax to push for a decisive breakthrough. As this was a knockout match, a draw would not suffice to secure Ajax's advancement, adding to the urgency of their attacking efforts.
As the clock ticked down, Ajax pressed forward with relentless determination, but Breda's defense held firm. Yang Yang, now on the back foot, received a swift pass from Heitinga and turned with finesse to advance the ball. Barakat, sensing the urgency, rushed to challenge him. However, Yang Yang's remarkable speed and agility enabled him to glide past the defender and slip a pass into Sneijder's path.
Sneijder, quick to read the situation, delivered a precise low pass back to Yang Yang. The ball arrived perfectly for Yang Yang to control and continue his forward momentum. As Penders tried to cover the right side of the area, Yang Yang's explosive burst of speed and sudden halt created the essential space.
With a deft right-footed cross, reminiscent of the Beckham-style technique he refined in the Dream training system, Yang Yang sent the ball arcing into the penalty area. The cross evaded both the goalkeeper and the defenders, landing impeccably at the back post.
Wesley Sonck, making a diagonal run from the left, met the ball with a powerful header from close range, propelling Ajax to a 2-1 lead.
"Gooooooooooal!!!!!!"
The roar of the loudspeakers reverberated through the Amsterdam Arena as the fans erupted in jubilation, leaping from their seats to celebrate the crucial goal that put Ajax ahead.
Amid the cacophony of cheers, Wesley Sonck raced towards the corner flag to celebrate, with Yang Yang close behind. The two embraced passionately, their joy palpable.
The fans in the stands chanted Wesley Sonck's name with enthusiasm, creating a wave of sound that swept through the stadium.
Yang Yang also faintly heard someone calling out to him in broken Chinese, adding a personal touch to the electric atmosphere.
Ajax had turned the game around in less than ten minutes, shifting from a 1-0 deficit to a 2-1 lead.
On the touchline, Ronald Koeman's elation was unmistakable. He had not anticipated the profound impact Yang Yang would have after coming off the bench. In three consecutive appearances, Yang Yang had altered the outcome of each match.
As head coach, Koeman felt a blend of astonishment and relief. Without Yang Yang's contributions, Ajax could have faced a loss in the Eredivisie, slipped from the top spot, and been eliminated from both the UEFA Champions League and KNVB Cup. Yang Yang had not only salvaged Ajax's season but also secured Koeman's position as head coach.
"This kid is a prodigy!" Ronald Koeman exclaimed with a wide grin.
As a former successful professional player, Koeman recognized that Yang Yang's ability to exploit an opponent's weaknesses transcended conventional tactical adjustments. It was evident that Yang Yang's exceptional performance was the result of his acute observation and instinctive play during the game.