Twin Blades

This certainly wasn't a rigged match. Philips finally found his composure seeing play carry on. "I underestimated him!" Philips quickly came to his senses.

Back to his normal self, Philips shifted his focus to organizing the team's offense rather than entangling with Zhang Xu. However, Zhang Xu stuck to him like glue, impossible to shake off, and ready to intercept the ball at any moment of inattention. This significantly disrupted Philips' efficiency in organizing attacks.

Thus, Charlton, initially having the upper hand, encountered unexpected difficulties due to Zhang Xu's effective defense. Conversely, Sheffield United's attack grew stronger as the pressure on their defense lessened.

In the 44th minute, Zhang Xu precisely intercepted Philips' pass during a brief pause and quickly passed the ball to number 8 Michael before Philips could react.

Michael, after receiving the ball, turned and took a few steps before backheeling it to Williams, who had come up in support.

Williams sent a through pass, piercing Charlton's defense and reaching the top right corner of the large penalty area.

Evans rushed to the ball and, under pressure from two defenders, hastily shot. The shot was weak and straight, allowing Charlton's goalkeeper Hamel to easily collect it.

Although this attack didn't result in a goal, the game's momentum shifted from Charlton's dominance to a more unpredictable state.

Soon, the first half ended, and the referee blew the whistle for halftime.

Dai Dong put down his camera, satisfied. Since Zhang Xu had come on, he had been looking for the perfect shot. Unexpectedly, Zhang Xu had given him a pleasant surprise with a precise interception from Charlton's star, Philips!

Dai Dong was initially annoyed for not being prepared for that moment. However, he quickly got over it as there were too many shots of Zhang Xu and Philips' entanglement, and he couldn't decide which ones to use or delete.

Undoubtedly, Zhang Xu's performance as a substitute in the first half was flawless. Even if Sheffield United lost, Zhang Xu could still feature prominently in various media outlets thanks to his outstanding performance.

Dai Dong wasn't worried. He believed Zhang Xu would perform even better in the second half. During the halftime break, he organized the photos in his camera roll.

"This Chinese youngster Zhang is definitely a strong player for Sheffield United! He managed to defend against Philips without falling short!"

"Coach Mr. Powell should pay attention to this troublesome guy! Anyway, let's look forward to more exciting performances in the second half. But now, let's replay some highlights from the first half!"

In the visiting team's locker room, the scene was lively.

Teammates surrounded Zhang Xu, laughing and praising his fantastic performance.

"Zhang, you're amazing, making Philips seem so harmless all of a sudden!"

"Yes, Zhang, I said before the game, with you in defense, there would be no problems, was I wrong?"

"Haha, it's so satisfying. Although we're behind, everything changed after Zhang came on. I believe we'll give those Londoners a memorable lesson!"

"Zhang, if I weren't your teammate, I'd definitely be your fan! You're fantastic!"

...

Their praise made Zhang Xu quite happy. He smiled and loudly said, "Brothers, since that's the case, let's make sure to take them down in the second half! Because we are—Blades!"

"Yes, take them down!" "Strike!"

"We are Blades, we fear nothing!" "Strike!"...

All the players roared, a strong force surging within them...

Wilson, seeing his players' spirited display, nodded in satisfaction.

With such enthusiasm, what more did he need to say? Everything was perfect, except for the lack of goals.

One goal? Or two? Wilson didn't know, but he had a feeling this game would be spectacular!

"Whistle!" 

As the referee's whistle signaled the start of the second half, both teams returned to the pitch with their initial line-ups intact. However, there was a noticeable shift in Charlton's play, particularly in Philips' role. He became a more elusive figure, weaving through the field with an increased frequency of movements and rapid, continuous passes. Zhang Xu, tasked with marking him, felt a growing sense of unease as he observed these changes.

Something didn't quite add up.

Zhang Xu took a moment to analyze the situation, mentally tracking Philips' running routes and trying to decipher the pattern. After a few minutes of careful observation, the puzzle started to unravel. Zhang Xu was astounded to realize that Philips' seemingly random movements were, in fact, intricately designed. Each run, each change of direction, was a thread in a larger tapestry, connecting the Charlton players into a cohesive and potent offensive network.

Impressive! Zhang Xu genuinely admired.

Never underestimate anyone!

Zhang Xu couldn't help but admire the strategy. He had underestimated Philips, thinking his own defensive skills would suffice to neutralize him. But Philips had elevated the game, using his movements not just to evade defenders but to orchestrate the team's attack.

However, understanding is the first step to counteracting. Now aware of Philips' strategy, Zhang Xu adapted his defense. He used his physicality more assertively, leveraging his strength and speed to disrupt Philips' movements. He no longer just followed Philips; he anticipated his runs and positioned himself to intercept the passes. This proactive approach allowed him to cut off the connections Philips was trying to establish, disrupting the rhythm he had set.

Zhang Xu's adjustments proved effective. His persistent marking and timely interceptions began to fray the network that Philips had so meticulously woven. Charlton's attacking formation, which had started the second half with such promise, started to unravel under Zhang Xu's attentive and disruptive defense. The game's momentum shifted, returning to the balanced state it had been after Zhang Xu's initial entry in the first half. His adaptability and understanding of the opponent's tactics underscored the dynamic and cerebral nature of football, where physical prowess and strategic insight combine to shape the game's flow.

In the 61st minute, the game's dynamics shifted as Zhang Xu, with a keen sense of positioning, used his body effectively to block Philips from accessing the ball. This was more than just a physical intervention; it was a strategic move to gain control and create an opportunity. After successfully shielding the ball, Zhang Xu swiftly passed it to Kevin, number 27 on his right.

Kevin, seizing the moment, immediately initiated an offensive burst. He executed a precise one-two pass with Michael, a classic and effective technique for quickly bypassing an opponent. This move allowed him to outmaneuver the pressing Charlton midfielder Chris. As Kevin continued his forward charge, he was confronted by Charlton's left-back, poised to halt his progress.

However, Kevin, showing tactical flexibility, didn't force a dribble past the defender. Instead, he cleverly used the instep of his right foot to flick the ball back to the approaching Michael. This pass was a testament to Kevin's awareness and ability to make quick, smart decisions under pressure.

Michael, now in possession, made a nimble move to elude Charlton's center-back Johnny. His agility and ball control allowed him to create the space needed to execute his next play. With a sharp eye for openings, Michael delivered a diagonal pass to number 9 Evans.

Evans, closely marked by center-back Morrison, found himself unable to turn and shoot. However, he recognized Michael's continued run and deftly passed the ball back to him. This quick exchange between Evans and Michael highlighted their understanding and the fluidity of their teamwork.

Michael met the return pass with a thunderous shot, unleashing a powerful strike towards Charlton's goal. The ball's trajectory was fast and direct, a challenging test for any goalkeeper.

Hamel, Charlton's goalkeeper, exhibited remarkable reflexes. Anticipating the shot, he had already begun to crouch, preparing for a dive. As the ball rocketed towards him, he judged its path accurately, launching himself into the air with a powerful push from both feet. His hands stretched out, forming a barrier against the ball's entry into the goal.

With a decisive and skillful interception, Hamel caught the ball, pulling it securely to his chest as he landed. His save was a crucial moment, denying Sheffield United a scoring opportunity and showcasing his agility and shot-stopping prowess.

Despite the disappointment of Sheffield United's players and the retracted celebration of coach Wilson, the sequence was a display of football at its finest: strategic play, skillful passing, quick decision-making, and outstanding goalkeeping, all contributing to the thrilling narrative of the match.

However, opportunities often come in pairs, and soon, another chance arrived.

In the 77th minute, Charlton was awarded a corner kick, a critical opportunity to level the playing field. Danny, wearing the number 22, stepped up to take the kick. His delivery was impeccable, a fast and flat cross that sliced through the air towards the crowded penalty area. Such crosses are notoriously hard to defend against and offer a prime chance for a header on goal.

Philips, with his competitive edge and timing, leaped towards the ball, confident in his ability to connect and direct it towards the net. However, he hadn't accounted for the formidable presence beside him – Zhang Xu, a player with exceptional physical attributes.

As Philips rose, expecting to meet the ball, Zhang Xu also jumped. His leap was powerful and swift, propelling him higher than Philips had anticipated. With an impressive display of aerial ability, Zhang Xu reached the ball first, heading it clear of danger. Philips, upon landing, glanced at the number on Zhang Xu's jersey – 25, a number he'd not soon forget.

After clearing the ball, Zhang Xu saw that it was headed towards the newly substituted in Captain Beattie. With a quick thought, he landed and immediately sprinted out of the penalty area.

Zhang Xu's speed was incredibly fast, a 92-speed attribute making him dash like a launched Ferrari, quickly leaving the penalty area and approaching midfield.

Beattie, realizing the excellent counterattacking opportunity, also quickly started and pushed forward rapidly towards the opponent's half.

As he advanced to the opponent's half, a defender came up to confront him. Just as he prepared to rely on his skills and speed to dodge the opponent, he suddenly spotted a teammate dashing forward on the right.

Seeing such a great opportunity, Beattie naturally chose not to dribble and waste time.

He pushed the ball forward to his teammate, then bypassed the opposing defender to continue his advance.

That teammate was the rapidly running Zhang Xu, who, upon receiving Beattie's pass, kicked the ball forward and chased after it with his speed.

At that moment, Zhang Xu and Beattie were like two sharp blades, both attacking the remaining two defenders of Charlton.

Zhang Xu's speed was fast, and his ball-handling was indeed not great, which immediately drew the attention of Charlton's defenders, one of whom came forward to confront him.

If he could have taken a long shot, Zhang Xu wouldn't have hesitated, but the opponent's defender had blocked his angle, and he wasn't confident in his shooting skills. So, after assessing the situation, Zhang Xu decisively pushed the ball to the edge of the large penalty area.

There, Beattie rushed up, touching the ball with the tip of his toe before the opposing defender could intercept, then accelerated and immediately shot!

The ball's speed wasn't fast, but the angle was tricky, and Charlton's goalkeeper Hamel, despite his best efforts, couldn't stop it.

Goal!

Sheffield United capitalized on a rapid counterattack, with Zhang Xu assisting captain Beattie to score the crucial equalizing goal!