Against Roda JC

On the evening of October 16, at the Amsterdam Arena. 

Yang Yang's predictions about the lineup were spot on. Ronald Koeman opted for a double-pivot formation, as expected, aiming to balance the team's midfield while pushing for an aggressive approach. 

Roda JC, aware of Ajax's strength at home, adopted a cautious strategy. Head coach Wiljan Vloet set his team up in a 5-4-1 formation, clearly focused on defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities. Though it was an away game, Vloet's goal was to grind out a result, ideally a draw, but he wouldn't have turned down the chance to steal all three points. 

Ajax, despite playing with two holding midfielders, dominated the early stages of the match, controlling possession and dictating the tempo. They pushed forward relentlessly, but as soon as they reached Roda JC's final third, they ran into a wall of defenders. The compact and disciplined Roda JC defense, stacked with five at the back and three midfielders in front, made it nearly impossible for Ajax to break through. 

Brazilian midfielder Cristiano frequently dropped deep to help his team, adding to the numbers in defense. With eight or nine Roda JC players crowding the 30-meter area in front of their goal, Ajax struggled to find space to create dangerous opportunities. 

High balls into the box targeting Charisteas were ineffective. The towering Greek striker found himself well-matched by Roda JC's central defender Roel Brouwers, who was winning most of the aerial duels. Ajax's attempts to attack from the wings were also stifled, as Roda's full-backs kept the wide players in check. 

Despite dominating possession and controlling the flow of the game, Ajax couldn't convert their advantage into clear-cut chances. Every time they got close to the penalty area, Roda JC's defense quickly closed them down, forcing them into difficult positions or poor shooting angles. 

The result was a frustrating first half for Ajax. They had all the possession but couldn't make it count where it mattered most—on the scoreboard. 

This was the same problem Ajax had been facing in recent matches. They had the ability to control games and create pressure, but without the cutting edge in the final third, they found it difficult to break down teams that sat deep and defended with discipline. Roda JC, with their defensive approach, was proving to be a tough nut to crack. 

... 

... 

Yang Yang sat calmly on the bench, observing the game intently. Alongside him were Wesley Sonck, Maduro, Maicon, Vlaar, Nicklas Bendtner, Felipe Luis, and veteran goalkeeper Hans Vonk. 

Yang Yang had spent the entire match carefully analyzing the ebb and flow of play. His time in the Dream Training system the previous night had allowed him to simulate matches against Roda JC's defenders, so he was already familiar with many of their tendencies. As he watched the game unfold, his impressions of their weaknesses grew clearer. 

On the left, Steven Pienaar wasn't the type of player to charge forward with explosive pace, so Ajax's main avenue for breaking down Roda JC's defense was on the right flank. However, from the start, Tom De Mul had been locked in a tough battle with Roda JC's left-back, Predrag Filipovic. Filipovic was quick and tireless, frequently shuttling up and down the touchline. 

Despite his best efforts, De Mul struggled to assert himself. He hadn't been able to gain the upper hand in their one-on-one duels. 

Roda JC's midfield was set up in a narrow diamond shape, meaning they didn't play with traditional wingers. Filipovic would push forward when Roda won the ball, effectively acting as a winger in transition. But as soon as possession was lost, Filipovic would retreat quickly, taking up his defensive position and contributing to their deep block. 

This should have presented Ajax with opportunities, but Filipovic's discipline in tracking back and his strong running ability made him a constant thorn in Ajax's side. De Mul, in particular, was struggling to find space. He was too isolated on the right, often sticking too close to the touchline and not linking up well enough with Wesley Sneijder, who was the central playmaker. 

It was clear that De Mul wanted to exploit the space behind Filipovic, hoping to catch him out of position. But Roda JC had prepared for this. Covering for Filipovic was Hungarian defender Boldizsár Bodor, who operated as more of a defensive full-back. 

Bodor's role was to stay deeper when Filipovic pushed forward, covering any gaps left behind. However, while Bodor was strong in physical confrontations, he lacked speed and agility, which Yang Yang had already noticed during his Dream Training match simulation the night before. He also observed that there was a slight disconnect in how Filipovic and Bodor coordinated their defensive efforts. 

One of the key weaknesses Yang Yang had picked up on was that when Bodor defended, he tended to position himself closer to the center of the penalty area. This left a pocket of space on the left, which Filipovic would try to cover when he tracked back. If Ajax could counter quickly and exploit this gap before Filipovic regained his position, there would be opportunities to break through. 

However, De Mul hadn't been able to take advantage of this. His positioning remained too predictable, and he hadn't made the necessary adjustments to test Roda JC's defensive structure. 

Sometimes, the tactics laid out by the coach could only take the team so far. The game itself was fluid, constantly changing, and it was up to the players to recognize those shifts and adapt on the fly. De Mul, unfortunately, still lacked the experience and awareness to take full advantage of the situation. 

But then again, Yang Yang reminded himself, De Mul was only eighteen years old, and there was still time for him to grow. 

... 

... 

At the end of the first half, the score remained 0-0. 

Ajax had dominated possession, but they failed to create any meaningful chances. Their attacks were predictable, and they couldn't find a way to break through Roda JC's solid defense. Even Wesley Sneijder, usually a reliable playmaker, was finding it difficult to make an impact as the midfield was tightly controlled by the opposition. 

Ronald Koeman's decision to play with two holding midfielders was a cautious one. It provided defensive stability, but it also limited Ajax's creativity going forward. Koeman likely wouldn't change this setup unless absolutely necessary, so halftime adjustments would be crucial in revitalizing the team's attack. 

As the second half approached, Yang Yang and the rest of the substitutes went out onto the pitch to warm up. 

The Ajax fans in the stands, having endured 45 minutes without seeing their team score, were becoming restless. They feared the team might drop points, and with rivals like Feyenoord pulling ahead in the league, this match was critical. Many fans began chanting for Yang Yang, hoping his introduction could make the difference. 

"Yang Yang!" 

"Yang!" 

"Come on, we're waiting for you!" 

Hearing the fans shout his name, Yang Yang felt flattered. He turned and waved to acknowledge them, feeling the warmth of their support. 

"Yang Yang's popularity with the fans is off the charts," Maduro remarked, somewhat envious. 

"It's well-earned," veteran Hans Vonk added. "He's worked hard for it." 

Wesley Sonck, sitting nearby, looked at Yang Yang with mixed emotions. There had been a time when Sonck was tipped to become Ajax's next star. After the departures of Van der Vaart and Ibrahimović, many expected Sonck to step up as the team's leader, both in age and stature. But his performances this season had been underwhelming, especially in Yang Yang's absence. He hadn't been able to lead Ajax's attack as expected, and his influence was beginning to wane. 

While Sneijder and Pienaar were still in the mix and fighting for prominence, it was Yang Yang who had quickly risen to the top, overshadowing Sonck. Of course, Yang Yang hadn't yet been fully anointed as the new star—he still had to deliver more consistent, convincing performances—but the writing was on the wall. 

Nicklas Bendtner, sitting farther down the bench, was also watching Yang Yang with complicated feelings. Bendtner still remembered their first encounter in training, where Yang Yang had taught him a lesson during their bet. Now, for the next few months, Bendtner was his training partner. Even though Yang Yang had spent much of the past month away with his national team, Bendtner still felt competitive. 

While Bendtner had come to respect Yang Yang's work ethic and kindness, he was far from conceding defeat. Bendtner had always been a winner, and this time would be no different. 

As Yang Yang waved to the fans, Bendtner's competitive streak flared up. Without warning, he sent a ball flying toward him. "Yang, catch!" 

Yang Yang reacted instinctively, controlling the ball with a deft first touch that drew cheers from the crowd. The applause was warm and enthusiastic—his improvement was obvious to everyone watching. 

"Nice touch!" one of the fans shouted, clapping in approval. 

Yang Yang smiled, but he wasn't going to let Bendtner off the hook that easily. With a mischievous grin, he kicked the ball back with power. "Let's see you keep up, Bentner!" 

The ball soared through the air, curving toward the penalty area. Bendtner sprinted after it, but he was just a step too slow, and Hans Vonk, Ajax's veteran goalkeeper, scooped it up. 

The fans erupted in boos and laughter, teasing Bendtner for missing the ball. 

Yang Yang laughed and called out, "Too slow! You'll never catch up at that speed." 

Bendtner grinned but wasn't about to back down. "Hey, I'm a tank, not a Ferrari. You can't expect a tank to go that fast!" 

Yang Yang chuckled and responded playfully, "A tank, huh? You can't even hold off defenders or break through lines. More like a tractor, if you ask me!" 

Their teammates burst into laughter at the joke. 

Bendtner shrugged in mock defeat. "Fine, whatever you say. I'm a tractor now." 

The playful banter continued, lightening the mood on the bench. Bentner's easygoing nature and bold personality reminded Yang Yang a little of Ibrahimović. There was something endearing about his confidence, even when things didn't go his way. 

But Yang Yang wasn't going to let him off that easily. "Remember, Bentner—starting tomorrow, bright and early, you're reporting to my door for training. Don't forget. The tractor needs a tune-up!" 

The laughter around them intensified as the teammates enjoyed the new nickname. 

Bendtner groaned dramatically, though the smile never left his face. "Tractor Bentner, huh? Great, how am I supposed to face people now?" 

... 

... 

After the teams switched sides for the second half, Ajax made some tactical adjustments. 

Left-back Maxwell was given more freedom to push forward, adding extra firepower to the left wing. He quickly became more active in the attack, but Roda JC responded by shifting their defensive focus to that side, adjusting their defensive setup to counter Ajax's threat on the left. They also maintained a compact shape, limiting the space Ajax could exploit. 

Meanwhile, Charisteas continued to win the aerial duels, consistently getting to the first ball. However, the team struggled to capitalize on the second balls. There was a lack of follow-up in and around the penalty area, which meant Ajax's attacks still couldn't generate real danger. 

Fortunately for Ajax, the double-pivot midfield provided solid defensive cover, and Roda JC's counterattacks were easily neutralized, never posing a significant threat. The match remained at a stalemate, with neither team able to break the deadlock. 

The frustration of the fans in the Amsterdam Arena grew louder with each passing minute. They were becoming restless, dissatisfied with the team's inability to break through. Chants for Yang Yang started echoing around the stadium, urging the coach to make a substitution. 

Yang Yang's impact as a super-sub had become legendary among the Ajax faithful. His game-changing performances off the bench had left an indelible mark on the supporters, and they firmly believed that once he entered the pitch, he could turn the game around. 

At the 55-minute mark, Ronald Koeman decided he could wait no longer. The Ajax offense needed a spark. 

Assistant coach Ruud Krol quickly made his way to the bench, asking Yang Yang if he was ready to go. He gave him a nod and told him to start warming up. 

Three minutes later, after a brief warm-up, Yang Yang returned to the technical area, ready to enter the match. As he finished his preparations, he listened closely to the final instructions from Koeman and Krol, who discussed the tactical adjustments they wanted him to make once he was on the field. 

In the 59th minute, with the game still deadlocked, the fourth official signaled for a substitution. Taking advantage of a stoppage in play, Yang Yang came off the bench, replacing Tom De Mul. 

The crowd erupted with applause and cheers, their hope rekindled by the sight of Yang Yang entering the match. 

... 

"Ajax is making their first substitution of the match." 

"Yang Yang, wearing the number 11 jersey, is coming on for Tom De Mul." 

"After his impressive performance in the UEFA Super Cup, Yang Yang returned to Asia for international duty. During his absence, Ajax struggled, dropping crucial points and falling behind PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord at the top of the table." 

"It's fair to say that throughout September and October, Ajax fans have been eagerly awaiting Yang Yang's return." 

"The crowd is chanting his name—his popularity at the club is immense, and the fans have placed high expectations on his shoulders." 

"Now, the question is: Can Yang Yang deliver tonight, just as he did with his outstanding performance against Kuwait three days ago?" 

... 

... 

Amidst the cheers of the fans, Yang Yang and De Mul exchanged a brief embrace before Yang officially entered the pitch. 

This was Yang Yang's first appearance at the Amsterdam Arena this season, and the atmosphere felt both familiar and new. Many of his former teammates, like Ibrahimović, Van der Vaart, and Trabelsi, were no longer with the club. In their place stood players like Charisteas, who, despite his tactical role, had yet to prove he could fill Ibrahimović's shoes in the frontline. 

Yang Yang took a deep breath, quickly moving to the right side of the pitch, where he would be facing Roda JC's left-back, Predrag Filipovic. 

Both Filipovic and Bodor were on the pitch last season when Ajax defeated Roda JC 4-2 away. They still remembered Yang Yang well, as his reputation as a super-sub had spread across the Eredivisie. His nickname carried weight, and they were well aware of his impact. 

Yet, as Yang Yang surveyed the situation, he felt a sense of frustration. Filipovic wasn't advancing forward to attack as much as he had last season. It was clear that Roda JC's coach had set up the team defensively, content with a 0-0 draw. While Roda JC could accept a draw, for Ajax, it was unacceptable. 

Yang Yang's original plan of exploiting Filipovic's positioning wasn't going to work. He would have to adjust his strategy, be patient, and look for new openings. 

Soon enough, he received a pass from Sneijder on the right side, and after shaking off a defender, he delivered the ball to Charisteas just outside the penalty area. The Greek striker, however, failed to control the ball cleanly on his first touch. His attempt to turn and shoot was clumsy, and the ball was quickly lost. It wasn't the same fluid connection Yang had experienced with Ibrahimović. 

Yang Yang raised his hand apologetically, taking responsibility for the play. Charisteas needed confidence, and Yang Yang didn't want to place the blame on him. 

A few minutes later, Yang Yang had another opportunity. Dropping deeper to receive a pass from De Jong, he managed to escape Filipovic's marking and sent a diagonal pass forward. But the ball had too much power and sailed out of play, missing its intended target. 

Both attempts had potential but failed to create any real danger. Koeman, visibly frustrated on the sidelines, decided it was time for another change. 

In the 73rd minute, Wesley Sonck came on to replace veteran Galásek, signaling a shift back to Ajax's familiar 4-3-3 formation. Sonck moved to the left wing, joining Charisteas and Yang Yang in a front three, while Pienaar dropped into midfield alongside Sneijder and De Jong. 

Koeman was clearly pushing for more aggressive play, hoping the new formation would create more opportunities. 

Yang Yang, now with more freedom on the right, began to roam across the front line, looking for gaps in Roda JC's defense. However, Filipovic and Bodor stayed close to him, making it difficult for him to find space to exploit. 

As the match passed the 80-minute mark, the fans, who had been expecting Yang Yang to spark a turnaround, began to grow quiet. The realization that Roda JC's defense was stronger than anticipated started to sink in. 

On the sidelines, Koeman seemed out of options. He had already used his best offensive players. If even Yang Yang couldn't find a way through, what more could be done? 

For Roda JC, the 0-0 scoreline was as good as a victory. They could sense that Ajax was running out of ideas, and their confidence grew. Every minute that ticked by brought them closer to an unexpected point. 

Despite the frustration, Ajax continued to patiently search for an opening. Sneijder and Pienaar, in particular, maintained their composure, knowing that one chance could change everything. 

Yang Yang reminded himself of the same lesson he had learned many times before: in critical moments, patience and clarity of thought were crucial. The more chaotic things seemed, the more he needed to stay composed. 

Koeman, observing from the sidelines, realized that right-back Grygera hadn't been providing enough support to Yang Yang. Without his help, Yang Yang was being isolated and double-teamed by Roda's defense, limiting his impact. Koeman began signaling for Grygera to push forward more aggressively. 

With Grygera's advanced positioning, Yang Yang's pressure eased slightly. Previously, Sneijder's passes to Yang Yang were too obvious, but with Grygera now involved, a triangle of passes formed between the three players. This made it much harder for Roda JC's defenders to cover all the options. 

Finally, the breakthrough came from a triangle combination. 

Yang Yang received a pass from Pienaar on the right side of the penalty area but found no immediate opening. He laid the ball off to Sneijder and, instead of moving outward, made a sharp run behind Bodor, whose positioning left a gap at the top of the box. 

Sneijder, reading Yang Yang's intentions perfectly, knew the opportunity lay behind Bodor, where Yang Yang's pace could be decisive. However, rather than delivering a direct pass that would be easy to intercept, Sneijder played the ball to Grygera, urging him to make the decisive pass. 

As soon as Grygera received the ball, he played a diagonal pass toward the penalty area. Yang Yang timed his run perfectly, darting from Bodor's right side into the open space. 

The ball, however, had more power than expected and was headed straight for the byline. Yang Yang had no choice but to accelerate, chasing the ball with everything he had to keep it in play. 

... 

"Grygera sent in a heavy pass." 

"But Yang Yang didn't give up." 

"Bodor chased him closely." 

Yang Yang knew that Bodor was closing in, but he had no choice—he had to catch up with the ball before it went out of bounds. With a burst of speed, he managed to reach the ball just before it crossed the line. Bodor, however, was right on his heels, positioning himself to block any cross attempt. 

In that instant, Yang Yang realized he had no clear angle to send in a cross. Any forced attempt would likely ricochet off Bodor and result in nothing more than a corner kick. Yet, Yang Yang knew he was in a prime position—right on the edge of the penalty area. This was a golden opportunity. 

Without wasting time, he quickly stopped the ball just before the line, executing a sharp cutback to keep it in play. His body, carried by momentum, flew over the line, but he managed to regain his balance. Bodor wasn't so fortunate. Trying to keep up with Yang Yang's sudden movement, the defender overcommitted and ended up sliding out of play. 

Yang Yang seized the moment. With Bodor now out of position, he nudged the ball horizontally with his left foot and darted into the penalty area. Using his body, he shielded Bodor from getting back into play, ensuring the defender stayed out of the action. At this point, all the advantages were in Yang Yang's favor. 

Bodor, fully aware of the stakes, didn't dare touch Yang Yang. One wrong move, and it would result in a penalty. Yang Yang's positioning and awareness forced the defender into a helpless situation. 

Yang Yang, still shielding Bodor, began dribbling along the goal line. The Roda JC goalkeeper rushed out to cover the near post, leaving Yang Yang with no immediate angle to shoot. Meanwhile, a central defender had scrambled back to stand next to the keeper, further narrowing any possible shot. 

Despite the tight defensive coverage, Yang Yang kept calm. He didn't allow the opponents any time to react. As he reached the front of the six-yard box, he feigned a move to the right, causing the goalkeeper and defender to shift their balance. With a swift motion, he pulled the ball onto his left foot. 

The defender lifted his right leg, attempting to block the move, but Yang Yang skillfully rolled the ball underneath—nutmegging the defender in a brilliant display of finesse. 

And right at that moment, Charisteas arrived in the perfect position. The Greek striker swung his right foot and gently tapped the ball into the net. 

The stadium erupted into chaos. 

"Goooooooooooal!!!" 

"In the 87th minute, Ajax has finally broken through Roda's defense!" 

"What an incredible play from Yang Yang on the right! Despite Grygera's heavy pass, Yang Yang never gave up. He chased the ball down just before it crossed the line, beat Bodor with a fantastic cutback, and drove into the penalty area." 

"With the goalkeeper and central defender blocking all shooting angles, Yang Yang kept his composure. A quick feint and a brilliant nutmeg opened up space, allowing him to lay off a perfect pass to Charisteas, who simply had to tap the ball into an empty net." 

"1-0! Ajax finally has the lead!" 

"Yang Yang! Yang Yang!" 

"Once again, Yang Yang has delivered when it mattered most, saving Ajax just as he did for the Chinese national team three days ago!" 

"What a remarkable player!" 

"The media had highlighted Yang Yang's exhausting schedule before this game. He flew from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on the 10th, then from Beijing to Amsterdam, and finally to Kuwait City. After playing in the match against Kuwait, he returned to Amsterdam, logging nearly 20,000 kilometers in just eight days. And during that time, he played three crucial games." 

"Three games in eight days, over 20,000 kilometers traveled, and in each match, Yang Yang has played a pivotal role. His endurance and ability to perform under such conditions are simply extraordinary." 

"While Charisteas may have finished off the move, the real credit for this goal belongs to Yang Yang. If Ajax wins tonight, there's no doubt that Yang Yang will be the team's undisputed hero." 

"The Ajax fans are going wild. The stadium is echoing with chants of 'Yang Yang!' This will be Ajax's first victory in two months, and it's the returning Yang Yang who has brought them back to winning ways." 

"Once again, Yang Yang has given the Ajax fans the gift of victory."