Fourth Star skill and Change

Among all the star skills available, Yang Yang had always been drawn to Van Basten's Master Strike. It wasn't just because Van Basten was his idol; it was also because Van Basten epitomized the complete striker, the pinnacle of shooting technique. 

Yang Yang remembered a comment from Ibrahimović, who once complained that Ajax had a habit of molding players to fit their ideal image, striving for perfection over praise. And in terms of shooting, Van Basten was as close to perfection as it got. 

Without hesitation, Yang Yang selected Van Basten's skill. The legendary striker's image transformed into a beam of light, connecting with Yang Yang's forehead. In an instant, countless iconic moments from Van Basten's career began to play vividly in Yang Yang's mind, each scene highlighting the technical precision of his shots. It was like watching a highlight reel, broken down frame by frame, allowing Yang Yang to see every detail clearly. 

Thanks to his experience with Bergkamp's First Touch, Yang Yang quickly grasped that Van Basten's Master Strike wasn't merely about shooting skill. Instead, it focused on reading the game and making calculated decisions about how and when to strike—integrating tactical judgment with technical execution. 

Watching Van Basten's shooting technique in action gave Yang Yang a more profound understanding of scoring; he realized that finishing was more than just putting the ball in the net. 

"Now you understand why I didn't let you practice this skill before?" Zax asked, his tone calm. 

Yang Yang broke out of his reverie and nodded. He was beginning to understand. 

"Football is a complex system," Zax explained. "People tend to focus on the player who scores, but behind every successful striker are teammates providing passes, defenders stifling the opponent, and the balance of movement and coordination across the pitch." 

He continued, "Shooting itself is also a system. If you think of it as merely striking the ball, you're missing the bigger picture. Perfect shooting requires technical support from each phase of the play, and without this, it loses effectiveness in a tightly contested professional match." 

Yang Yang listened closely, appreciating the depth of Zax's insight, especially after seeing Van Basten's skill in action. He realized that shooting could be broken into multiple steps: positioning, ball control, and the final strike. Yet, most only focused on that last phase. 

Running into space was crucial—some players could score goals on positioning alone. Pippo Inzaghi, famously dubbed by Ferguson as a "goal poacher," had built a career on positioning, often outsmarting defenses with his runs. 

Then came controlling the ball. Ruud van Nistelrooy, renowned as the "king of the small box," scored so many goals due to his exceptional ball control in confined spaces. Skilled strikers knew how to control the ball in ways that positioned it perfectly for a strike while placing it in the most challenging spot for defenders. 

Physical strength also played a vital role. Without it, holding up the ball and maintaining control under pressure would be nearly impossible. 

Finally came the strike itself. A true goal-scorer could read the moment, choose the right type of shot, and use deceptive movements to mislead defenders and goalkeepers, creating scoring opportunities out of seemingly impossible situations. 

Although Yang Yang had received some guidance on this from coaches like John van 't Schip and Ruud Krol, he'd never seen it as comprehensively or in as much depth as he did now. Shooting, he realized, was a vast system requiring meticulous training. 

"I see now," Yang Yang said thoughtfully. "Back then, my first touch wasn't strong enough. Even if I'd practiced Van Basten's Master Strike, it would've been too much to handle and could've hindered my progress with first touch." 

"Exactly," Zax replied. "Now that your first touch has reached a reflexive stage, and given your team's current setup, I agree it's time for you to work on your fourth star skill. But remember, don't neglect the other three star skills, especially first touch." 

"Don't worry, Zax—I understand the importance of ball control," Yang Yang replied confidently. 

Controlling the ball was foundational to all teamwork on the field, and Yang Yang's dedicated training was beginning to show results. He could feel himself reaching a stage where his movements were becoming second nature. With the prospect of further improvement so close, he knew he couldn't afford to ease up now. 

"Alright then," Zax said, signaling it was time to begin. "Let's practice." 

... 

... 

The next afternoon, after a full day of team training, the coaching staff began to pack up. But as usual, Yang Yang stayed behind, gathering Maicon, Filipe Luís, Nicklas Bendtner, and a few others for additional practice. 

Their drill, designed by Ruud Krol, was simple but demanding: a one-on-one exercise within a square grid where two players practiced attack and defense. This exercise helped Yang Yang hone his ball control under pressure, an area in which he had made notable strides over the past six months. While his sessions in the Dream Training System had been invaluable, this hands-on training was essential. 

Originally, Vermaelen, Heitinga, Maxwell, and De Jong had been Yang Yang's regular practice partners, but Maicon and Filipe Luís had since taken over, both eager to sharpen their defensive skills. Training against Yang Yang, one of the most formidable dribblers in the league, offered them a unique challenge and opportunity for growth. Maicon, in particular, had shown noticeable improvement, solidifying his role on the right flank. 

Lately, Ruud Krol, who had taken over as Yang Yang's skills coach after John van 't Schip's departure, was a daily observer at these sessions. Today, Yang Yang requested to add a new focus: shooting. 

The setup was straightforward. Maicon and Filipe Luís crossed in balls from both wings, while Yang Yang worked on his timing and positioning, aiming for a direct, one-touch finish without controlling the ball first. This required him to adjust quickly to the differences in their passing styles. Krol reminded him that in a real game, opportunities to control the ball were rare, and adapting to quick releases would be crucial. 

Of course, not every shot found the net—those that sailed high or wide had Bendtner retrieving the ball, a role he'd taken on since losing a bet to Yang Yang. 

As the wings continued to feed in crosses, Yang Yang focused on his runs, positioning, and shot timing. The Dream Training System would later analyze each shot, helping him refine his technique one step at a time. 

Toward the end of practice, Bendtner joined in as a target striker, taking on the role of a center forward. He was tasked with receiving the first ball and passing it to Yang Yang for a second shot, while Vermaelen stepped in as Bendtner's defender, providing added intensity to the session. 

During a short break, Bendtner threw a question out to the group, "Yang, what's your league goal tally this season?" 

Yang Yang shrugged with a grin. "What do you all think?" 

"Fifteen goals?" Douglas guessed. 

"Are you kidding? He's already got eleven!" Maicon retorted. "Fifteen's way too low." 

"Yeah, at least twenty," added another. 

"Twenty sounds conservative," Filipe Luís chimed in. "I'd say twenty-five." 

"Twenty-five goals?" one of the others repeated in surprise. "I can't remember the last time an Ajax player hit that mark." 

"Actually," Vermaelen interjected, "only one Ajax player in the past ten years has scored more than twenty in a league season. Shota Arveladze hit twenty-five back in '97-'98. Kluivert, Ibrahimović, Van der Vaart… none of them reached twenty in the league." 

"With eleven goals so far, Yang has a real shot at breaking twenty," said Bendtner. "He could be the first in years." 

Yang Yang, motivated by his teammates' confidence, couldn't help but smile. Recalling Van Gaal's encouragement, he laughed, "Alright, if I score over twenty in the league, I'll treat you all. It's the least I can do to thank you for helping me improve." 

The group cheered at his words. 

"Remember, you promised!" 

"Yeah, don't forget—we're holding you to it!" 

Laughing, Yang Yang waved them back into position. "Alright, back to work! Here comes the next ball!" 

With renewed energy, they returned to the drill, driven by their camaraderie and Yang Yang's promise. 

... 

... 

The sounds of laughter and cheers from the training ground didn't go unnoticed by Ronald Koeman and the rest of the coaching staff, who lingered nearby. 

"Yang Yang has a special kind of personal charm," Jan Kruitenberg remarked, watching the scene unfold. 

Koeman nodded. "He doesn't have that typical commanding presence, but he's the type of leader who wins his teammates over through sheer dedication and hard work. Little by little, he's made them want to follow him." 

Kruitenberg glanced at Koeman, surprised. The use of the word leader hinted that Koeman recognized Yang Yang's evolving role within the team. 

"Winston Bogarde told me he's never seen a player work as hard as Yang Yang," Kruitenberg continued. "Even during his time at Juventus, he believed Yang Yang's potential was special. He's convinced Yang Yang is destined to become a top player." 

Koeman smiled. He had reached the same conclusion long ago. 

Elevating Yang Yang's role had become a shared vision within Ajax's technical team and coaching staff. What they hadn't anticipated, however, was the speed of his rise—he was improving so rapidly that even the staff struggled to keep pace. 

From a tactical standpoint, the team still needed balance in midfield. Galásek and De Jong offered defensive stability, but with Sneijder alone in the midfield orchestrating attacks, it was clear the team needed additional support, which was why Ajax was exploring midfield reinforcements. 

Yet, time was short, and finding the right fit in the transfer market wasn't guaranteed. Regardless, Yang Yang had become the most electrifying player in the Netherlands during the first half of the season. 

"Let's see if he can keep it up in the second half," Koeman murmured with anticipation, his gaze fixed on Yang Yang, who had captivated not only the fans but also the entire Ajax organization. 

... 

... 

Evening of January 23rd, Stadion Galgenwaard, Utrecht 

In the Utrecht locker room, the players who had just returned from pre-match warmups sat at their lockers, focused on their head coach, the 42-year-old Foeke Booy. 

Smiling, Booy looked around at his players, projecting a sense of calm. "No need to be tense, guys. Tonight, we're playing on our turf," he said, his voice steady. 

The ease in Booy's tone quickly lifted the mood in the room, and several players began to smile. 

Utrecht's impressive home record was their fifth-best asset in the Eredivisie this season, one they were determined to uphold. Alongside Alkmaar, Utrecht was one of only two teams still unbeaten at home, with a record that rivaled the league leaders. 

Through 17 rounds, Utrecht had played eight home games, claiming six wins and two draws. Their defense had been solid, conceding only four goals—better than even PSV Eindhoven. 

"Relax. Yes, Ajax is strong, but they're not so strong that we should fear them," Booy continued, reassuring his team. 

The players nodded in agreement. This season's Ajax squad hadn't shown the dominance of previous years. While they were third in the standings, everyone knew Ajax's grip on the league wasn't as firm as before. 

"In our last 17 matches, we've played the traditional top three three times, earning one win and two draws. We held Ajax to a 1-1 draw away, drew 0-0 at home against Eindhoven, and defeated Feyenoord 3-0 on their ground." 

Booy had come well-prepared to rally his team. "Here at home, we beat Roosendaal 5-1 and have won two consecutive games. Tonight, I believe we can extend that streak to three and maintain our unbeaten run at Galgenwaard." 

Utrecht's strong home record and their success against top teams this season gave the players confidence. In the Eredivisie, defeating one of the traditional top three was always a badge of pride. 

Foeke Booy's own coaching journey was a humble one. Having played in the Dutch and Belgian leagues, he worked his way up as a youth coach with Utrecht before being promoted to assistant and eventually taking the reins as head coach. Under Booy, Utrecht hadn't made massive strides in the league but had found success in the Dutch Cup, winning the trophy and producing talents like Dirk Kuyt. 

This season was shaping up to be Utrecht's best in years, and both Booy and the club management were optimistic. Their primary aim was securing a UEFA Cup qualification, and to achieve that, they'd need a strong start to the second half of the season, beginning with Ajax. 

"Ajax's biggest threat is their right-winger, Yang Yang," Booy explained. "He's versatile—capable of scoring and assisting. Despite playing only 13 league games in the first half, he's delivered 11 goals and eight assists. We need to stay alert." 

Booy turned to his left-back, Etienne Shew-Atjon. "Etienne, I need you to mark Yang Yang closely. That's your sole focus tonight." 

Etienne Shew-Atjon, a Dutch player of Chinese descent, didn't feel any particular kinship with Yang Yang. He viewed this assignment with the same intensity as any other. 

"Yang Yang's only 18 and lacks physical strength. Use that to your advantage. Stay tight on him, don't give him room to move. Make him work hard for every touch." 

Shew-Atjon nodded, resolute. "Got it, coach. I'll mark him." 

Their previous encounters had seen Yang Yang come off the bench, and though Shew-Atjon had been fatigued, this time both were starting from the outset. Having just turned 30, Shew-Atjon felt confident he could handle the young Ajax star physically. In their last matchup, Yang Yang had visibly avoided direct contact with him, a trait common among speed and skill players. 

"To the midfielders and center-backs, support Etienne on the left when necessary. This game plan hinges on neutralizing Yang Yang—he mustn't be given any freedom on our left." 

Booy's eyes gleamed with conviction. "Trust me, boys. Shut down Yang Yang, and Ajax's offensive threat is cut in half." 

... 

... 

At the start of the match, Ajax wasted no time directing their attack down the right flank. 

Ronald Koeman deployed their signature 4-3-3 formation, but with a tactical twist. Galásek and De Jong paired up as dual defensive midfielders, while Pienaar shifted to the left to form an attacking trident with Charisteas and Yang Yang. 

Yang Yang was immediately active on the right, drawing attention from Utrecht's defense. Etienne Shew-Atjon, assigned to mark him, kept a close eye, sticking close and aiming to use his physical advantage to unsettle the young winger. In his mind, Yang Yang was still the slim, wiry player he'd encountered before. 

But in the fourth minute, the game's first significant duel told a different story. As they clashed for the ball, Shew-Atjon attempted to use his body to unbalance Yang Yang. To his surprise, though Yang Yang was briefly jostled and his stride momentarily disrupted, he quickly regained control and didn't lose the ball. In contrast, Shew-Atjon's positioning faltered, creating an opening for Yang Yang to sidestep him and cross into the box. 

Charisteas was ready but narrowly missed connecting with the header. 

Shew-Atjon, catching his breath, looked at Yang Yang in shock as the young winger shook his head in disappointment at the missed chance. This kid's physicality has improved! he thought, noticing the defined deltoid muscles visible beneath Yang Yang's loose jersey. 

But the game offered no time for reflection. Moments later, Yang Yang received another pass and immediately surged forward in a counterattack, racing down the right and advancing toward Utrecht's penalty area. 

As Yang Yang approached, Shew-Atjon quickly retreated into the box, supported by two other defenders. He anticipated Yang Yang would slow down to wait for teammates to join, but Yang Yang kept his pace, showing no intention of holding back. With a swift step-over, he blew past Shew-Atjon, using his speed to leave the defender flat-footed. 

Before the central defenders could close in, Yang Yang unleashed a powerful shot with his right foot. The strike was fast and fierce, but the angle was just a touch too high, sending the ball whistling over the crossbar and into the stands behind. 

The entire stadium held its breath for a moment, stunned by the intensity of Yang Yang's effort. 

On the sidelines, Foeke Booy was visibly shaken, feeling the weight of his miscalculation. 

"This kid has changed!" he murmured, watching Yang Yang with new respect. "He's not the same player he was before." 

... 

... 

Yang Yang shook his head as he walked back, frustration evident on his face. Missing that shot stung—he knew he'd rushed it slightly when the defender closed in, causing him to mis-hit and lose control over the ball's trajectory. It could have been a brilliant finish. 

"Calm down! Stay calm!" he reminded himself internally. 

Ronald Koeman's words before the game echoed in his mind: Don't rush—keep your composure. Impatience was a scorer's worst enemy. 

Scoring a single goal was one thing, but maintaining consistent performance required not only technical skill but also mental resilience. A calm mindset was essential for clear judgment and fluid movements, giving a striker the presence of mind needed to finish precisely. 

"Good job!" Sneijder said, jogging over to offer encouragement. 

Yang Yang managed a smile. "Would've been better with a goal," he joked. 

"Looks like you're in form today." 

Yang Yang nodded. He felt good, though he wasn't at his peak yet. According to the training regimen from Winston Bogarde and Jan Kruitenberg, he wouldn't reach full form until mid-to-late February. How sharp he'd be, and for how long, would depend on his continued effort. 

As he returned to his position, Yang Yang called over to Maicon. "Douglas, push up more. I can hold the ball, trust me." 

Maicon had started the game conservatively, and Yang Yang wanted him more involved in the attack. 

"If I move wide, you cut inside. If you go up the line, I'll stay central to cover if needed." 

Maicon gave him a thumbs up. Though he was older, Maicon respected Yang Yang's leadership on the pitch. Their extra training sessions had built a solid understanding, and he had faith in Yang Yang's vision. 

With Wesley Sonck out, Yang Yang was clearly stepping up as the team's offensive centerpiece. And, with every play, he was growing into the role. 

... 

Ajax soon launched another wave of attack, seizing a counterattacking opportunity after intercepting the ball. 

After Charisteas won possession, he quickly passed to Yang Yang on the right flank. 

This time, Maicon moved just as Yang Yang had anticipated. Seeing Yang Yang charge diagonally toward the penalty area, the Brazilian right-back didn't hesitate and made a quick overlapping run. 

Yang Yang drove straight at Etienne Shew-Atjon, drawing in two defenders as he continued pressing forward. With Utrecht's defense fixated on him, Yang Yang suddenly slipped a pass toward the bottom line. 

Maicon was ready, darting into the box to receive the pass just ahead of the recovering defenders. Without missing a beat, he whipped a quick cross into the penalty area. 

Arriving perfectly from the back, Sneijder met the cross and calmly slotted the ball past the Utrecht goalkeeper. 

1-0! 

The opening goal came in just the 16th minute, setting the tone early for Ajax's attack.