Chapter 132

Yang Yang Shines as Chinese National Team Seals 2-1 Comeback Victory! 

Young Star Yang Yang Saves China in Dramatic Win Over Kuwait! 

Chinese Team Triumphs in Kuwait, Yang Yang Leads the Comeback! 

When news of the Chinese team's 2-1 away victory over Kuwait spread throughout the country, the entire nation rejoiced. The following day, major newspapers across China covered the critical match, each highlighting the importance of the result. 

In analyzing the match, the media was clearly divided, using Yang Yang's substitution as the turning point. It was widely agreed that his introduction was a defining moment in the game. 

At the post-match press conference, the Kuwaiti head coach was frank in his assessment. 

"We tried everything to stop Yang Yang, but in the end, he found the breakthrough. His performance tonight was incredible. I never expected that a player arriving after a 20-hour flight could play like that." 

He went on to say, "Frankly, we didn't lose to the Chinese team. We lost to Yang Yang." 

These comments were widely circulated by Chinese media, many of which praised Yang Yang's contribution and recognized the extent of his impact. However, there were also critiques of the team's performance before his arrival. 

"It's difficult to believe that this was the same team that won the Asian Championship," one editorial stated. "Our early offense was uncoordinated, and none of our attacks truly threatened Kuwait's goal." 

"On the defensive end, a costly error nearly shattered our hopes of qualification." 

Li Weifeng, one of the players singled out for the defensive mistake, spoke with humility in a post-match interview. He admitted that his recent injuries had affected his fitness and performance. 

"I haven't been able to train properly for two months, and I've been dealing with treatment in Belgium. Physically, I wasn't at my best, but mentally I was prepared to fight. The team needed me, and I did my best to push through," Li said, his voice full of remorse. 

"I take responsibility for the mistake, but the most important thing is that we've advanced, and now we have more time to prepare." 

At the same post-match press conference, Chinese national team coach Arie Haan offered a broader explanation of the team's struggles in the early stages of the game. 

"The away match was always going to be difficult. We prepared thoroughly, and in the first half, we actually played well. But in the second half, we made a mistake that gave Kuwait a chance, and we panicked." 

He added, "Kuwait became more aggressive and forced us into errors. The players struggled to adjust to the shift in momentum, and that's when Kuwait capitalized." 

Reflecting on Yang Yang's impact, Haan was full of praise for the young star. 

"It's impossible for any coach to ask more of Yang. After a 22-hour journey, he came into the game immediately and delivered a world-class performance. He is becoming an indispensable player for the national team." 

Haan continued, "His footballing intelligence and ability to read the game are qualities that the entire team can learn from. He's only seventeen, but he's already shown leadership and maturity well beyond his years." 

As for Yang Yang's upcoming schedule, Arie Haan made it clear that he would not be calling him up for the match in Hong Kong, China. 

"He's exhausted," Haan explained. "He's only 17 years old, and since the start of the winter break earlier this year, he hasn't had a proper rest. There's no point in him playing in the Hong Kong match. I plan to use that game to evaluate other players, especially to find the right striker to partner with Yang Yang." 

"I also want him to take this opportunity to rest. It's what he needs most right now." 

While the Chinese national team and domestic media praised Yang Yang's performance, his remarkable showing also caught the attention of international outlets. French Reuters highlighted the importance of China's comeback victory, naming Yang Yang as the standout player. 

"For the final match of the group stage, Kuwait will face the weakest team, Malaysia, while China will play Hong Kong. The Chinese team is expected to secure at least a point in that match, but ideally, they'll want a win." 

"The game against Kuwait, however, was a different story. China struggled in the first half, missed key opportunities, and even conceded a penalty, allowing Kuwait to take the lead." 

"At the critical moment, Arie Haan brought on the 17-year-old Ajax prodigy, Yang Yang, a player who had recently dominated the Asian Youth Championship, winning both the Best Player and Golden Boot awards. After coming off the bench, Yang Yang delivered a game-changing performance, contributing both a goal and an assist to rescue the Chinese team." 

"What made this even more incredible was the fact that Yang Yang had just completed a long-distance flight of more than 20 hours, arriving in Kuwait only 10 hours before kickoff. His physical and mental strength are as impressive as his footballing skills." 

Dutch media also closely followed the match. De Telegraaf commented that while Arie Haan had made tactical errors in his starting formation, it was Yang Yang who saved both the Dutch coach and the Chinese national team with his brilliant performance. 

"He has played the role of savior for the Chinese team time and again—from the Toulon Cup to the Asian Cup, then the Asian Youth Championship, and now in the World Cup qualifiers. Yang Yang continues to play a decisive role." 

"Yang Yang's stellar displays for the Chinese national team have made Ajax fans even more eager for his return." 

The Dutch outlet also highlighted the struggles Ajax was facing at the time, noting that manager Ronald Koeman was once again under pressure. 

"There is no doubt that Ajax is in trouble. Ronald Koeman is facing another coaching crisis, and at this moment, Ajax needs Yang Yang more than ever." 

Alongside De Telegraaf, other Dutch publications such as Algemeen Dagblad and Het Parool reported on Yang Yang's performance, fueling excitement among Ajax supporters. Many eagerly awaited his return to the club, hoping that he could help lift Ajax out of their slump. 

However, there was also concern about the toll these international commitments might take on the young star. Some questioned whether Yang Yang, after traveling back and forth to represent the national team, could still maintain his exceptional form when he returned to Ajax. 

... 

... 

With widespread media attention both at home and abroad, Yang Yang flew with the Chinese national team from Kuwait City to Amsterdam the following day. However, instead of continuing on with the team, he parted ways with them at Amsterdam Airport. 

Head coach Arie Haan and his assistant, De Jong, also remained in the Netherlands. After the match, they were granted a brief vacation before returning to China. Their primary task upon returning would be to analyze the recent games and, most importantly, search for a reliable center forward to complement Yang Yang in the national team setup. 

At the airport, Haan, in a jovial mood, jokingly expressed his hope of finding a "Chinese Ibrahimovic." 

Yang Yang smiled and wished him luck before saying his goodbyes to Haan and De Jong. He then called for a car and headed back to his home in Oude Kerk. 

On the way, Yang Yang made a few calls, the first to his parents to let them know he had arrived safely in Amsterdam. After that, he called Su Wenhong, who had tried to reach him after the match. Su Ye had asked Yang Yang to call back once he was settled in Amsterdam so that their family could rest easy. 

On the phone, Su Wenhong, Ye Qing, and Su Ye all took turns expressing their concern, asking how he was feeling and offering words of encouragement. It felt warm and familiar, and Yang Yang appreciated the support. He promised them that he was doing well. 

Next, he called Wei Zheng, who was eagerly waiting for his call. Wei Zheng was both a family friend and Yang Yang's agent in China, responsible for managing his endorsements and sponsorship deals. 

"Yang, I've got some big news," Wei Zheng began excitedly. "Coca-Cola and one of the country's largest mobile network operators have both reached out to discuss endorsement deals. We're talking eight-figure contracts." 

Yang Yang was taken aback. "Eight figures?" he repeated. A yearly endorsement fee exceeding 10 million yuan was extraordinary, a figure previously only achieved by someone like Yao Ming. 

"That's right. In fact, your endorsement fee is slightly higher than Yao Ming's at the moment. But as you continue to rise, so will his. You're making waves in China right now," Wei Zheng laughed. 

"Well, I'll leave all of that to you," Yang Yang said casually. Financial matters were not his priority. 

"Don't worry about a thing. If we sign these deals now, you'll be earning at least 20 million yuan a year from them alone. Add in your Nike contract, which is worth 30 million yuan annually, and you're sitting on a fortune," Wei Zheng marveled. 

It was true—Yang Yang was becoming a money-making machine. But none of this had come easy; it was a result of his hard work, dedication, and recent standout performances, such as his heroics in Kuwait that had grabbed headlines back home. 

"I'm confident that before the New Year, we'll have at least three more deals lined up. You're about to make serious money," Wei Zheng said confidently. 

Yang Yang smiled but remained focused on what mattered most to him: football. He left the business side to professionals like Wei Zheng and Raiola. His concern was simply how to play better, win matches, and continue developing. 

His immediate focus was now back on Ajax, where the situation was even more challenging than with the national team. 

Ajax's UEFA Champions League group stage encounters with Juventus and Bayern Munich were daunting, and in the Eredivisie, the club had fallen far behind PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord due to the sale of five key players, which had severely weakened the squad. 

Helping Ajax recover from this difficult position was Yang Yang's next challenge.