End of the match and Growing popularity

"It's almost over; there are only five minutes left in the game—come on, guys!"

Van Basten shouted urgently from the sideline.

A victory would advance the team to the last sixteen of the Dutch Cup, a remarkable achievement in his first season as head coach.

But Den Bosch was not ready to concede. Following Kruys' substitution, they launched a relentless attack. For them, it made no difference whether they lost by one goal or ten; it was all or nothing.

In response, Van Basten made a tactical adjustment, substituting Babel for an extra defender. This move reinforced his strategy of bolstering the defense while focusing on counterattacks.

Yang Yang remained the most dangerous player on the pitch. Despite a slow start, he had been a constant threat throughout the match. His crucial contribution came over an hour earlier when he sprinted sixty meters to win a corner kick and then delivered the precise cross that allowed Vermaelen to score.

As the game neared its final minutes, Van Basten's decision to replace Babel with a defender highlighted his focus on preserving the lead while preparing for swift counterattacks. Fred Benson's speed and synergy with Yang Yang made him the better option for exploiting gaps in Den Bosch's defense.

Van Basten glanced at Babel on the bench and felt a pang of regret. Babel, a player he admired and respected, had shown potential but lacked the necessary chemistry with Yang Yang. Despite their interactions on the field, it was evident that Benson had developed a more effective partnership with the young Chinese winger.

The decision to rely on Yang Yang, who had quickly established himself as a key player, over Babel was purely tactical. Van Basten's priority was to secure the win, and he knew that, in this situation, the best choice was to depend on Yang Yang's current form and his connection with Benson.

The match raged on.

Den Bosch, showcasing their dominance as leaders of the Eerste Divisie, completely overpowered the Ajax second team, pinning them in their own half. The Ajax players struggled to clear the ball from their 30-meter zone as Den Bosch's relentless pressure forced them into a defensive corner. The home team even advanced their goalkeeper to the edge of the penalty area, issuing instructions to intensify their assault.

As time dwindled, urgency gripped everyone involved. Each thud of the ball resonated like a drumbeat in the hearts of players and fans alike.

Both teams were exhausted. The young Ajax squad, outnumbered but resolute, held firm. Meanwhile, Den Bosch, frustrated and desperate, faltered in their attempts to score. Their mounting anxiety only led to more mistakes.

Ajax's counter-attacking strategy was evident: whenever the opportunity arose, Yang Yang and Fred Benson were to advance with all their might. If a chance presented itself, they would take it; if not, they would drive the ball downfield to alleviate the defensive pressure.

Yet, despite their best efforts, their counterattacks proved fruitless. Time and again, their sprints ended in frustration.

In stoppage time, Fred Benson, exhausted and cramping, struggled to keep pace. Yang Yang, drenched in sweat, could barely keep up. Each pause made his legs tremble, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on, fighting to conserve every last ounce of energy.

With only two minutes remaining, Yang Yang glanced at the scoreboard: 92 minutes had elapsed. A 1-0 lead was already a remarkable achievement for Ajax second team, but they needed to see it through to the end.

As Lindgren cleared the ball from the Ajax penalty area and Maduro sent it forward, Yang Yang stepped up once more. His mission was straightforward: score another goal if possible, while his teammates focused on defending.

Despite his exhaustion, Yang Yang was determined to press on. He knew this might be his last sprint of the game, perhaps his last run. Each step felt precarious, as if he might lose his balance and collapse at any moment. But he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Maduro's clearance was intended to relieve pressure rather than initiate a counterattack. The Den Bosch goalkeeper, rushing to the 30-meter area, aimed to quickly return the ball to his forwards for a final push. He had not anticipated Yang Yang's sudden charge.

As the ball was played to him, the goalkeeper, aware he could not use his hands outside the penalty area, prepared to make a clearance. However, he was stunned to see Yang Yang charging towards him with an unexpected burst of speed.

Despite having played for ninety minutes, Yang Yang's acceleration appeared almost superhuman. The Den Bosch goalkeeper, caught off guard, attempted a hurried clearance, but Yang Yang's outstretched leg deflected the ball away from its intended target.

The unexpected turn of events stunned everyone on and off the pitch. The crowd fell silent in disbelief, while many fans gasped in anticipation.

Gritting his teeth, Yang Yang pursued the ball with relentless determination. The goalkeeper, realizing the gravity of the situation, tried to intercept the ball, his hands grasping at empty air. If Ajax scored now, Den Bosch's hopes would be dashed.

But Yang Yang's resolve was unshakable. With one last, desperate burst of speed, he overtook the goalkeeper, who stumbled and almost fell. At that moment, Yang Yang was oblivious to everything around him—his opponents, his teammates, the sidelines. The only thought consuming him was to catch the ball and score.

Everyone watched as Yang Yang pushed himself to the limit, his face a mask of intense concentration and unwavering determination. Behind him, Den Bosch's goalkeeper and defenders scrambled to catch up, but none could halt his relentless drive.

Only Yang Yang could be stopped now.

"Come on! Come on!!!" Van Basten shouted from the sideline, his voice strained with urgency. He waved his arms vigorously, urging his young player on.

The coaching staff leapt from their seats, and the players on the bench, including Babel, crowded the sideline, their faces reflecting a mixture of disbelief and hope.

On the field, every step Yang Yang took was fragile, every stride a battle against exhaustion. Only sixteen, still in school, and with no formal physical training, he was Jong Ajax's last stand, fighting with every ounce of his being.

Finally, he reached the rolling ball and kicked it forward. The simple act of kicking seemed to drain the last of his strength, and he staggered, almost collapsing. The ball, once light, now felt unbearably heavy.

Despite his exhaustion, Yang Yang regained his balance and pushed forward. The defenders behind him closed in, but he continued to guide the ball towards the goal.

He had a chance to shoot, but uncertain of his strength, he opted for the safest option: to carry the ball into the penalty area.

"No, they're almost catching up!"

"Hurry up, shoot!"

The shouts from the sidelines did little to affect Yang Yang's concentration. With his sharp instincts, he carefully monitored the defenders and accurately judged their proximity.

Strangely, as he approached the goal, his mind felt unusually clear, and the chaos of the game seemed to narrow down to this single moment.

Just as the Den Bosch defenders were about to overtake him, Yang Yang took a decisive shot from near the penalty spot. The shot lacked power, but it was sufficient. Yang Yang lost his balance and fell into the penalty area, his body utterly spent.

"Win! We won!!! We are the winners!!!"

As the referee's whistle signaled the end of the match, the Jong Ajax players, both on the field and in the stands, erupted in ecstatic cheers.

The substitutes surged onto the pitch, and the midfielders and defenders joined the jubilant celebration. Yang Yang, utterly exhausted, lay on the turf, overwhelmed by a wave of fatigue and elation.

In that moment, he grasped the profound beauty of football—the pursuit, the challenge, the joy of triumph. That goal, that game, had become the pinnacle of his dedication and perseverance.

"Stubborn boy pretending to be dead?" Vermaelen's voice cut through the celebration as he hovered over Yang Yang with a grin.

"No, just let me lie here for a while," Yang Yang replied weakly, his energy completely drained. The final sprint had exhausted him to the point where he doubted he could even stand. But in retrospect, the effort had been worth it.

"This won't do. We're not letting you go that easily," Vermaelen said with a smile, extending a hand to help Yang Yang up.

"Please, just let me rest for a moment," Yang Yang begged with a tired smile.

"Come on, get up. Everyone, help me out here!" Vermaelen shouted, his tone playful yet firm.

Laughter filled the air as teammates gathered around, some raising their hands, others playfully tugging at Yang Yang. Their good-natured efforts to lift him were met with giggles and lighthearted banter. Despite his exhaustion, Yang Yang couldn't help but smile as he was finally hoisted up.

Standing on his trembling legs, Yang Yang was greeted with admiring glances from his teammates. His strength might not have been the greatest, but his determination and fighting spirit had earned him the respect and admiration of everyone around him.

In the end, it was Yang Yang's tireless efforts that secured the 2-0 victory. Without his indomitable will and perseverance, Jong Ajax might not have achieved such a decisive win.

On the sidelines, Van Basten smiled as the players gathered around Yang Yang and Vermaelen, celebrating their hard-fought victory. The scene was filled with laughter and jubilation, but Van Basten's gaze lingered on Babel, who stood apart with a somewhat forlorn expression. The sight tugged at his heart.

"Sometimes, whether on the pitch or in the dressing room, position and influence must be earned through hard work and perseverance. Success isn't simply handed to you; it's built bit by bit, through constant effort."

Van Basten's words were clearly aimed at Babel, reflecting on the young player's current struggles. Despite the high expectations from both the coaching staff and the club management, Babel had yet to meet them, primarily due to his lack of character and determination.

In a team of over twenty individuals, each player has their own ambitions and calculations. Although the coaching team had entrusted Babel with significant responsibilities, his performance and commitment had fallen short, leaving his teammates unconvinced.

In contrast, Yang Yang, despite his unassuming presence and infrequent vocal contributions, had demonstrated tireless dedication. Often the last to leave the practice field, he gave his all during training and showed rapid improvement in his skills. His efforts were evident in both training and matches.

Even De Mul, Yang Yang's direct rival, was among those celebrating the victory. Yang Yang's tenacity and drive were apparent. He knew what he wanted and was willing to put in the necessary effort. Despite recognizing his own limitations, he committed himself to rigorous basic training, no matter how tedious and repetitive.

This unwavering dedication resulted in subtle but significant improvements in his performance, underscoring the essence of perseverance and hard work.

Even as head coach of Jong Ajax, Van Basten had scarcely noticed the subtle changes in Yang Yang. It was only over time that these improvements became apparent, much like a parent might not immediately see their child's growth. The change becomes suddenly obvious when the child's clothes become too small or their shoes too tight.

"Has it been nearly three months since he joined Ajax?" Van Basten asked, turning to his assistant.

"Yes," John van 't Schip confirmed with a nod. "Time has flown. In just three months, the boy has made considerable progress. He learns quickly, works hard, and shows remarkable determination."

As coaches, they took great pride in nurturing talent and witnessing their players' growth. It was a testament to their hard work and dedication.

"He is an exceptional young man who consistently excels in his schoolwork," Van Basten said. "Such a boy has a bright future ahead of him."

Many believe that soccer is solely about physical skill and technique. However, the most important aspect is the mind—the true treasure of a professional player. Ajax has always valued this, which is why the club places such emphasis on academic performance. Unfortunately, many young players drop out of school at an early age to pursue soccer full-time, a short-sighted decision.

Yang Yang, however, stood out. He excelled both in the classroom and on the field, achieving impressive results in both areas.

At that moment, Yang Yang and Vermaelen made their way to the sidelines, surrounded by their jubilant teammates. Van Basten greeted Yang Yang with a warm smile and open arms. Despite Yang Yang being drenched in sweat, Van Basten hugged him tightly.

"I am incredibly proud of you, Yang," Van Basten said earnestly.

Yang Yang felt a deep sense of gratitude and pride. Over the past three months with Jong Ajax, Van Basten had provided invaluable advice and support, both publicly and privately. The Dutch coach's recognition meant a great deal to him, and Yang Yang was deeply moved by the praise.

......

......

Ajax's second team reached the round of 16 in the Dutch Cup!

The news of this achievement quickly caused a sensation in the Netherlands and across Europe. The excitement stemmed from the fact that the team is coached by Dutch football legend Marco van Basten, who is in his first season as manager.

Advancing through the 80-team knockout stage is no small feat, and making it from the initial 40 teams to the third round is particularly impressive for a reserve team like Ajax II. However, Van Basten's squad managed to defeat Eerste Divisie leaders Den Bosch in the decisive third round. This was a remarkable accomplishment, given Den Bosch's strength, having earlier eliminated Zwolle and proving themselves competitive with Eredivisie sides. Van Basten's success with a reserve team was truly commendable.

By the end of the third round, ten teams had emerged victorious, joining six other Dutch sides such as Ajax and Eindhoven in the last sixteen. Many media outlets were eagerly anticipating a potential clash between Ronald Koeman's Ajax and Van Basten's Ajax second team, a match that promised to be thrilling.

With no live TV coverage of the third round and the game's limited impact, media coverage was sparse, often relying on pre-existing photos of Van Basten. However, one name began to stand out prominently in written reports: Yang Yang, the number 21.

Yang Yang's decisive performance in the final moments of the match—scoring a goal and providing an assist—was crucial to Jong Ajax's away win. His outstanding display began to attract considerable professional attention.

On the evening of the match, Amsterdam's renowned Football Online radio show devoted an entire segment to covering the game and highlighting Yang Yang. Host Aaron Moy expressed pride in his earlier prediction about Yang Yang's potential. Moy even suggested that Yang Yang's promotion to the first team was a serious topic of discussion on Ronald Koeman's desk, given the first team's current struggles and the noticeable lack of right wingers.

Having joined Ajax from Almere just a few months ago, Yang Yang's rapid rise and impressive performances in the second team had positioned him as a rising star. His progress was likened to a rocket, soaring at an astonishing rate and showing no signs of slowing down.

This media coverage elevated Yang Yang's profile among Ajax fans in Amsterdam. The question of whether he could be the future star of Ajax's right wing intrigued many. Despite the growing buzz, Ajax officials opted for a low-key approach, avoiding public comment and declining interview requests for Yang Yang from local media.

Van Basten later explained to Yang Yang that this decision was made in consultation with Van Gaal. They felt it was crucial for Yang Yang to avoid premature exposure. At only 17 and still focused on his studies, the goal was for him to develop away from the media spotlight rather than becoming a media sensation too early.

Yang Yang took this advice to heart and willingly accepted it.

For him, the media coverage had minimal impact on his daily life. Aside from the occasional autograph request from classmates who had heard about him, he remained largely unnoticed. The most challenging situation came when a classmate invited him to a private party—a dilemma that left Yang Yang uncertain and pensive.

Should he go or not? It was clearly an important question.