First Game of the Toulon Cup China U20 vs Colombia U20
As the stirring notes of the "March of the Volunteers" echoed throughout the stadium, Yang Yang stood with his teammates on the sidelines, his right hand pressed firmly against his chest. The national anthem reverberated through the air, and along with his fellow players and coaches, he sang the words with pride and conviction.
In that moment, Yang Yang was filled with emotion.
This was the first time he had donned the bright red jersey of the national team, emblazoned with the Chinese flag. A deep sense of pride swelled within him. It wasn't just about wearing the jersey—it was about what it symbolized. He wasn't playing for himself or for the Chinese Football Association. He was representing 1.4 billion people, standing as an ambassador for his nation, playing for the glory of China on the international stage.
Standing there, Yang Yang made a quiet vow to himself: The game can be lost, and defeats may come, but the dignity of China must never be tarnished.
Behind him in the stands, a crowd of Chinese students studying in France and across Europe had gathered, waving flags and banners with the national colors. Many of them were chanting his name, their voices rising in unison, a testament to the excitement and anticipation surrounding his presence on the field.
But tonight, Yang Yang would not be starting. He would sit on the bench, watching the first half unfold, just as he had requested. Earlier, national broadcasters had interviewed him, asking why the star of Ajax would not be in the starting lineup. Yang Yang had explained with humility and clarity: he had chosen to observe his teammates first, to understand their playing style and adapt to the team's tactics before taking the field.
The Colombian national anthem followed, and Yang Yang stood in respectful silence as the music played. His eyes scanned the faces of his teammates and the Colombian players across the pitch. There was a palpable tension in the air, a quiet acknowledgment of what was about to unfold.
Football is a war without smoke, Yang Yang thought to himself, the old saying resonating in his mind. Tonight, the battle would be fought not with weapons but with skill, determination, and the unyielding will to win.
This wasn't just any match. It was his first on the international stage, a chance to show the world—and himself—what it meant to wear the red of China.
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The Toulon Cup, being a youth competition, follows a unique tradition—each match lasts only 80 minutes, divided into two 40-minute halves. Yang Yang, sitting on the bench, watched the first half unfold. Whether he would take the field in the second half depended entirely on how the game developed.
The Chinese U-20 team lined up in a balanced 4-4-2 formation, a stark contrast to the 4-3-3 system Yang Yang was accustomed to at Ajax. In the Dutch system, wingers, particularly on the right, acted almost as additional forwards, pushing high up the field. Here, the wingers played a more restrained role, especially on the left, where defensive duties were emphasized when transitioning from attack to defense.
Despite the long and arduous journey to Toulon, Yang Yang was surprised by the energy and tenacity his teammates displayed. The China U-20 squad played with heart, battling for every ball and using their speed to stretch Colombia's defense. They weren't showing any signs of fatigue or hesitation.
Colombia, however, was just as determined. Their U-20 side matched China's intensity, playing aggressively and keeping up a relentless pace on both ends of the pitch. The rapid transitions from attack to defense created an exciting and fast-paced game, though the technical and tactical elements were not as polished as one might expect at senior levels.
China's defense looked well-organized. Although Colombia's attacks were concentrated primarily through the middle, they struggled to find any real openings down the flanks. The Chinese defense, anchored in discipline, quickly stifled the Colombian forwards' efforts to break through, neutralizing several early threats.
In midfield, China dominated with tireless running and pressing, disrupting Colombia's attempts to build play and forcing them into mistakes. The Colombian players, clearly uncomfortable with the pressure, began to make unforced errors. One of these mistakes almost proved costly in the 22nd minute when China's striker, Zhu Ting, capitalized on a turnover. He danced past three defenders at the edge of the box, unleashing a fierce volley that forced the Colombian goalkeeper into a brilliant save.
China's missed opportunity was nearly followed by disaster just nine minutes later. A defensive lapse saw a Chinese defender fail to clear a routine long pass, allowing Colombia's number 14 to pounce. But with the goal at his mercy, he miscontrolled the ball and squandered the chance, letting China off the hook.
The first half ended in a goalless draw, 0-0.
At half-time, head coach Zhang Huarong praised his team for their disciplined performance. He acknowledged Colombia's individual quality, but reminded his players that they had proven themselves more than capable of competing as a cohesive unit. The message was clear: despite Colombia's star power, China still had a genuine chance to take control of the match.
Zhang decided to make a tactical change at the break, bringing on Chen Tao, the team's main attacking threat. Chen Tao, known for his blistering pace and excellent dribbling skills, was introduced on the right wing in the hope that he could exploit gaps in Colombia's defense and create more scoring opportunities.
However, Colombia came out in the second half with a tactical adjustment of their own. They pressed higher up the pitch, aggressively targeting China's midfield, looking to force turnovers and capitalize on mistakes. Their strategy quickly paid dividends, as the Chinese side began to struggle with passing and ball control under pressure. Colombia seized on these errors, launching several dangerous counterattacks.
The match took a decisive turn in the 50th minute. After intercepting a pass in midfield, Colombia quickly surged forward, combining neatly with three attackers to breach China's backline. The Chinese defense looked disorganized, seemingly absent as Colombia's number 8 found himself unmarked inside the penalty area. He fired a powerful shot at goal, but fortunately for China, goalkeeper Guan Zhen reacted swiftly, diving to his left to pull off a critical one-handed save.
That near miss was enough to stir Zhang Huarong from his seat on the bench. It was clear that the Chinese team was under heavy pressure, and the momentum of the match was shifting rapidly. Zhang knew he had to act quickly if they were to regain control of the game.
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"Come on!"
"Thank you!"
Yang Yang exchanged quick handshakes and pats on the shoulder with his teammates on the sidelines as he prepared to enter the game, replacing striker Zhao Wancheng. This was the plan that coach Zhang Huarong had discussed with him: Yang Yang would come on as a free player up front, given the freedom to create and improvise, while the rest of the team would adjust their play to support him.
As Yang Yang sprinted onto the field, he could feel the eyes of his teammates on him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism. They didn't know him well—many had only been introduced to him at the pre-match meeting. To them, he was still an unfamiliar face, despite his growing fame from Ajax.
But wasn't it the same for him? Yang Yang hardly knew his teammates either. The system at Ajax had allowed for smooth integration between the youth team and the first team, which made transitioning to different levels seamless. Here, however, he only had a loose understanding of the tactical setup of the national youth team. Everything felt slightly off, like a machine with parts that didn't quite fit.
It didn't take long for Colombia to react to Yang Yang's presence on the pitch. His reputation had clearly preceded him, especially after scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final just days earlier. The Colombian defenders quickly adapted, tightening their marking on him and increasing their defensive pressure.
However, despite Colombia's attempts to shut him down, Yang Yang soon realized that their defense, though eager, was full of gaps—this was still a youth team, after all. The defense wasn't as compact or disciplined as what he had faced in European competitions, leaving room for him to exploit.
Yang Yang's first touch of the ball came after a pass from midfield. As he retreated to pull a defender with him, he prepared to turn and make a forward run, but his teammate delivered the ball directly to his feet, causing him to lose momentum. The timing was off. He controlled the ball but was immediately closed down by the defender and had no choice but to pass the ball back.
The second pass was better but still lacked precision. A diagonal ball from Chen Tao down the right wing forced Yang Yang to slow his run and stop before accelerating again. The missed timing disrupted the attack, and while Yang Yang managed to control the ball near the edge of the penalty area, his pass back to Chen Tao didn't create the threat they had hoped for.
The disjointedness continued in the following plays. Miscommunications led to errant passes and broken moves. Yang Yang was beginning to feel the frustration building—not because of a lack of effort from his teammates, but due to the lack of cohesion. Colombia's counter-attacks took advantage of these lapses, and even Yang Yang himself felt the strain of trying to adjust to the unfamiliar rhythm.
It wasn't that his teammates weren't running—they were. In fact, they were all moving energetically, but there was a clear lack of coordination in their movements. They weren't positioning themselves in ways that opened up space or provided meaningful options for the player in possession. The lack of clear passing outlets meant that whoever had the ball was left with limited choices, leading to more mistakes under pressure.
Another issue was how his teammates were passing the ball. They often didn't consider what Yang Yang—or anyone else—might do with it next. Their mindset seemed to be simply delivering the ball to whoever was open, with little thought for the recipient's next move.
Yang Yang understood this all too well. He had been in that mindset before, earlier in his career. His teammates were likely feeling the pressure of the game, wanting to make the right play but not fully understanding how to set each other up for success. It wasn't about a lack of ability; it was more about the lack of understanding and timing between players.
A thought struck him as he considered the situation: Colombia's focus is on me. They're doubling up their defensive efforts to contain me.
Yang Yang realized he could use this to his advantage. If Colombia was fixated on him, he could draw their attention and create opportunities for his teammates by pulling defenders out of position. His role would be to disrupt Colombia's defensive shape, allowing others to exploit the gaps left behind.
At the same time, Yang Yang saw an opportunity to practice his own first touch under pressure. By drawing defenders toward him, he would have to make quick decisions with the ball, testing his control and passing accuracy. It was a challenge, but one that could turn the game in China's favor if he played it right.
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After adjusting his approach, Yang Yang continued to move actively across the pitch, seeking out open spaces and drawing defenders toward him. Every time he positioned himself in a vulnerable area of the opponent's defense, he pulled markers away, only to pass the ball to his teammates in less-defended zones, shifting the balance of play.
This transformation in Yang Yang's role immediately changed the dynamic for the Chinese U-20 team.
His reputation, built on his performance with Ajax and widely reported in the domestic media, carried significant weight. The players on the Chinese team, even though Yang Yang was two years younger than most of them, admired his achievements and trusted his instincts. As a result, they naturally looked to him as the focal point in attack, feeding him the ball at every opportunity.
With Yang Yang now acting as a playmaker, he effectively became the team's attacking midfielder, orchestrating the offense from the center and wings.
As the match entered the 60th minute, Yang Yang found himself once again in space on the right side of the pitch. He called for the ball, and Chen Tao, stationed further back, responded by delivering a pass. Yang Yang received it smoothly, using his first touch to pull the ball to his side, before turning sharply and accelerating forward.
The Colombian defense was caught off guard. Three defenders immediately converged on Yang Yang, their focus solely on shutting him down. In their rush to neutralize the danger, they left Chen Tao completely unmarked on the right wing.
Sensing the opportunity, Yang Yang wasted no time. With a perfectly timed diagonal pass, he sent the ball forward into the open space for Chen Tao to run onto.
For a split second, Chen Tao hesitated, unsure whether to make the overlapping run. But when the pass came through, he reacted instinctively, sprinting full speed toward the ball. There was no time to think—only to act.
As Chen Tao closed in on the ball, he felt a surge of optimism. By the time he caught up with it, he realized the defense had been completely outplayed. There were no defenders close by, and several of his teammates were waiting inside the box.
With composure, Chen Tao delivered a perfect cross to the right side of the penalty area. Striker Zhu Ting, sprinting toward the near post, timed his run perfectly and connected with the ball near the penalty spot, driving it into the back of the Colombian net.
1-0 to China!
The stadium erupted. Hundreds of Chinese fans in the stands, many of whom had come from across Europe to support the team, burst into celebration. Flags waved in the air, and the sounds of cheers echoed around the arena.
Zhu Ting, the scorer, ran toward Chen Tao, embracing him in celebration as their teammates rushed to join. The goal was crucial—it had broken the deadlock and shifted the momentum firmly in China's favor.
Yang Yang also ran over to congratulate his teammates, clapping them on the back as they celebrated. Zhu Ting and Chen Tao, both slightly overwhelmed by the moment, were visibly flattered by Yang Yang's acknowledgment, especially Chen Tao, who looked at Yang Yang with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.
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After the Chinese team took the lead with the first goal, Colombia became increasingly desperate, pushing more players forward in an attempt to equalize. But the Chinese side, known for their defensive counterattacking style, was well-prepared. Colombia's attack lacked variety, relying heavily on central penetration, which made it easier for the Chinese defense to organize and contain the threat.
China's backline stood firm, and with each passing minute, their counterattacks grew more effective.
In the 68th minute, Liu Yu, the team captain and right-back, surged forward to join the attack. Yang Yang, positioned in space, raised his hand, signaling for the ball. Liu Yu delivered a clean pass, which Yang Yang controlled effortlessly. After taking two steps sideways, Yang Yang surveyed the field and, in an instant, made his move. With his left foot, he sent a diagonal ball to the left side of the pitch, where Hao Junmin was waiting.
Hao Junmin reacted swiftly, and with precision, fired the ball into the back of the net.
China U-20 extended their lead to 2-0 over Colombia U-20.
If the first goal had left Yang Yang's influence somewhat understated, the second goal made his role undeniable. His vision and awareness had been the key to unlocking Colombia's defense, moving the ball swiftly from right to left and catching the opposition completely off-guard.
Just five minutes later, the Chinese team struck again. Yang Yang received the ball inside the right side of the penalty area, and with a subtle feint, he wrong-footed a Colombian defender, creating just enough space to thread a pass across the box. Chen Tao, supported by the ever-present Liu Yu, worked the ball through the defensive line, allowing Mao Jianqing to tap the ball into an open net.
3-0 to China!
The Colombian players stood in disbelief as the Chinese side celebrated. What had started as a tightly contested game had now turned into a dominant display by China, with Yang Yang pulling the strings, his creativity and technical ability shining through as the Chinese team seized complete control of the match.
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"Haha, this feels amazing! Who would've thought we'd win 3-0 in our first game?"
"You should've seen the fans in the stands, the international students—they were screaming like crazy, absolutely losing it with excitement."
"No kidding! And let's not forget, we were up against Colombia, one of the strong teams from South America."
"I have to admit, I didn't expect this at all. I always thought Colombia would be much tougher."
"Exactly, same here. Especially in the last twenty or thirty minutes, they barely had any chances."
The players exchanged excited words as they gathered, still buzzing from their victory. It was clear that the energy from the win had lifted the spirits of everyone, from the players to the fans in the stands.
...
After beating Colombia 3-0 in their opening match, the China U-20 players returned to the dressing room, buzzing with excitement. Yet, despite the elation, there was plenty to discuss.
Head coach Zhang Huarong and Yang Yang were both occupied with interviews for the domestic media, leaving the players to reflect on the game. Unsurprisingly, much of the conversation shifted to Yang Yang's performance, given his reputation as the national youth team's star player.
"Hey, Chen Tao, that assist you made was beautiful," one of the players remarked, grinning at his teammate.
"Yeah, if you hadn't gotten there in time, that ball would have ended up with Colombia."
"Still, I don't think Yang Yang was as good as I expected. Besides the assist for Hao Junmin's goal, his performance was pretty average."
"I agree," another player added. "He didn't show the amazing dribbling ability the media talked about. I thought he'd be a lot better than Chen Tao."
"Yeah, I don't know... maybe he's not in top form. He just played in the Champions League final, after all."
"I saw the live broadcast of that final. He played really well, but in this match..."
As more players weighed in, it became clear that many were underwhelmed by Yang Yang's debut performance for the national team. Although they didn't all explicitly criticize him, there was a sense that his reputation had set expectations too high.
Sitting quietly on the sidelines, Wei Zhen, the national television reporter, listened to the conversation unfold without saying a word. Yang Yang was a close friend, but this was an internal matter for the team, and he knew better than to intervene.
He understood that football is often viewed in different layers—many players and fans only see the surface. To those unfamiliar with the subtleties of the game, it might seem as though Yang Yang's impact had been minimal. However, anyone with a deeper understanding would recognize that his movements and decision-making were the keys to China's smooth play.
Without Yang Yang's off-the-ball runs, which consistently drew defenders away, would Chen Tao have been able to get into position for his cross? Yang Yang's assist for Hao Junmin's goal was a perfect example of his vision, and even on the third goal, it was Yang Yang's attention-drawing play that allowed Chen Tao and Liu Yu to exploit space on the wing.
On the surface, Yang Yang's performance might have seemed average, but in reality, his contributions had been crucial.
As the players continued to reflect on the match, Chen Tao, who had just been praised by his teammates, suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"I don't think Yang Yang is as simple as we're making him out to be," Chen Tao said quietly.
Everyone turned to look at him. "What do you mean?" one of them asked, surprised.
Chen Tao hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I don't think the ball he passed to me was by chance. It was like he wanted me to chase after it on purpose."
The players exchanged confused glances. "What are you talking about?"
"When he got the ball, he drew the attention of all the defenders," Chen Tao explained. "Three of them were guarding him, and I was wondering if I should move to support him. Just as I was thinking that, he passed the ball to me. At that moment, my reaction was to sprint, and the defenders hesitated for a split second."
Liu Yu, the right-back and captain, suddenly nodded in agreement. "Now that you mention it, I thought something was odd too. We were two against three on the right side—clearly outnumbered. But when Yang Yang came over to receive the ball, he drew another defender. The moment he passed it back, we became two against one."
The rest of the players looked at each other in disbelief. Could it be that they had misunderstood Yang Yang's performance?
"Believe it or not," Chen Tao continued, "his pass felt perfect—like he calculated my speed and the exact point where the ball would land. I didn't even have to think, I just ran for it."
Hao Junmin furrowed his brow in thought. If only one player had mentioned it, it could be brushed off as personal interpretation. But now several players were echoing the same sentiment—it seemed Yang Yang's influence had gone deeper than they had initially realized.
A growing realization dawned on the group: playing with Yang Yang felt... comfortable. Receiving his passes was easy, and making plays felt natural. When they passed to him, he always seemed to be in the right place, effortlessly turning good passes into great opportunities.
"Maybe that's Yang Yang's real strength," said central defender Feng Xiaoting, breaking the silence. His words carried weight, causing the entire dressing room to fall quiet, especially those who had earlier criticized Yang Yang's performance.
Their initial assumptions now felt premature. It wasn't that their abilities were lacking, but rather that they hadn't fully appreciated the level at which Yang Yang was operating.
Wei Zhen, still listening from the corner of the room, allowed himself a quiet smile. He was glad to see that Yang Yang's teammates were beginning to recognize his value. Players like Chen Tao, Hao Junmin, and Feng Xiaoting had a keen understanding of the game, and their appreciation of Yang Yang's contributions was a promising sign.
Just then, head coach Zhang Huarong and Yang Yang entered the locker room, cutting through the silence.
Yang Yang immediately noticed the strange atmosphere, his teammates all staring at him with wide eyes.
"What's going on?" Yang Yang asked, puzzled.
Zhang Huarong also looked around curiously. "Is something wrong?"
The players exchanged glances, unsure of what to say. Finally, Liu Yu nudged Chen Tao forward, urging him to speak.
"Uh, I have a question. Would you mind if I asked?" Chen Tao stammered, scratching his head in embarrassment.
"You don't need to ask permission," Yang Yang said, shaking his head with a smile. "Feel free to ask anything. Let's discuss it."
The players all laughed, the tension in the room easing up.
Chen Tao cleared his throat. "I just want to know... did you pass that ball to me on purpose?"
Yang Yang nodded without hesitation. "Of course. You were wide open, and I figured you'd make the run toward the center, so I passed it to you."
"How did you know I'd run there?" Chen Tao asked, still perplexed.
"It's trust," Yang Yang explained. "I trust that when you see the opportunity, you'll go for it. Next time, trust me to deliver the pass."
The word trust lingered in the room, resonating with each of the players.
"What about my goal?" Hao Junmin stepped forward, curious. "Did you plan that pass?"
Yang Yang chuckled awkwardly. "Yes and no. I aimed for you, but the pass wasn't perfect."
"Wait, it wasn't?" Hao Junmin asked, confused.
"I'm right-footed, and I passed that with my left. I haven't trained my left foot enough, so the pass wasn't as precise as it could've been," Yang Yang admitted.
The players in the locker room were stunned. A right-footed player delivering such a quality pass with his weaker foot—it was hard to believe.
"I saw Van der Vaart make a similar pass once," Yang Yang added, clearly embarrassed. "I wanted to try it, but I still have a long way to go to match him."
Van der Vaart—the European Golden Boy winner, a top midfield genius who had attracted the interest of clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona—was no small name to mention. The players were in awe.
"So, you really calculate every pass you make?" Chen Tao asked, still astonished.
"Almost," Yang Yang replied. "I estimate what you'll do next and try to put the ball in a position that makes it easier for you to control and make your next move."
"And what about your runs?" Liu Yu asked. "Do you plan those as well?"
"Of course. I have to consider the footedness of the defender marking you, where I should position myself so they can't easily intercept the ball. It's all part of the calculation."
"But how do you process all of this during a game?" Chen Tao asked, still trying to wrap his head around it.
Yang Yang shrugged modestly. "It's a habit. At first, it's hard, but once you understand it and practice enough, it becomes instinct. You don't think about it—it just happens naturally."
After a pause, Yang Yang continued, "I'm not the best at this. Wesley Sneijder is the best passer I've ever seen. His vision is incredible. Before he even gets the ball, he's already planned out the next three or four steps, like he's playing chess."
The room fell silent once more. The players, along with coach Zhang Huarong, were stunned. They hadn't realized that professional football was played at such a cerebral level.
Zhang Huarong, reflecting on what Yang Yang had just shared, realized that Yang Yang's presence in the team was more than just a boost in talent—it was an invaluable learning opportunity for the entire squad. His experience at Ajax, arguably the best club in the world for developing young talent, could deeply influence this group of players.
Stepping forward, Zhang addressed the team. "I suggest that tomorrow morning, we take a break from our usual training and ask Yang Yang to share more about his experience playing football in Europe. I think we could all learn something."
The players nodded enthusiastically, eager to hear more from their talented teammate.
Yang Yang, waving his hands dismissively, tried to play it down. "I'm not really qualified to teach anyone, but if you all want to talk about it, I'd be happy to share what I can."
His teammates smiled, knowing they had much to learn from someone who had already achieved so much.