Rising Expectations

On March 10th, at Stade Grimonprez-Jooris in France, the UEFA Cup round of 16 began with Ajax facing Lille OSC in the first leg of their tie. 

Lille, currently third in Ligue 1 behind Lyon and Marseille, ranks above notable teams like Monaco and Auxerre. Known for their solid defensive play, Lille struggles offensively, with only 12 wins out of 28 league games—fewer even than fifth-placed Auxerre. 

Their challenge this season has been a lopsided game style: strong defensively but weak in attack. This imbalance has hurt their home record, as cautious tactics and conservative visitors make it tough for Lille to consistently secure wins without reliable offensive power. 

This challenge awaited Ajax as they took on Lille tonight. 

Ronald Koeman fielded a solid lineup, pairing Galásek and De Jong as a defensive midfield duo to bolster Ajax's backline. 

Lille, wary of Yang Yang's rising reputation, assigned multiple defenders to mark him tightly, leaving him with few clear chances in the first half. 

But in stoppage time, with both teams seemingly heading into the break scoreless, Yang Yang seized the moment. 

Sneijder received the ball and, with a precise one-touch pass, sent it directly into the penalty area. 

Yang Yang outpaced his marker, bursting into the box from the right side. Timing his run perfectly, he reached the ball just ahead of Lille's goalkeeper, who rushed out to intercept. With a quick shot, Yang Yang angled the ball past the diving keeper, sending it rolling into the net. 

The Lille keeper, sprawled on the ground, could only watch as the ball crossed the goal line. Yang Yang rose to his feet and raised his arms, celebrating his crucial goal. 

Thanks to Yang Yang's strike in the 45th minute, Ajax secured a 1-0 victory over Lille in this first-leg away match. 

... 

... 

On the weekend, in the 25th round of the Eredivisie, Ajax took on NEC Nijmegen away. 

Since February, the strain of multiple competitions had started to take a toll on Ajax, especially with a series of away games. The players appeared fatigued, and Nijmegen's disciplined defense made it challenging for Ajax to find their rhythm, leading to a frustrating performance. 

Despite the team's struggles, Yang Yang remained in good form, working tirelessly to create opportunities. While his teammates struggled to find openings, Yang Yang managed to generate several promising chances on his own. 

The breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Yang Yang, dribbling inward from the right, cut into the penalty area and delivered a sharp pass to the top of the box. 

In this match, Maduro replaced Galásek and was in position to receive Yang Yang's pass. With a quick, direct shot, Maduro found the back of the net, scoring the game's only goal and securing Ajax's 1-0 victory. 

Following the match, Yang Yang stood out as the only faultless player among Ajax's attackers. Both media and fans praised his performance, highlighting him as the one bright spot in an otherwise lackluster Ajax display. 

Yang Yang didn't dwell on his own missed opportunities; he understood that such outcomes were part of the game. 

Despite Feyenoord's impressive 4-1 home victory over Roda JC, Kuyt failed to score, leaving his tally at 22 goals, with Yang Yang still close behind at 20. 

Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven defeated Den Haag 4-0, and Alkmaar edged out De Graafschap 3-2 at home, keeping the top four positions in the league standings unchanged. 

... 

... 

Three days later, Ajax hosted Lille for the second leg of the UEFA Cup round of 16. 

With the team feeling the strain of recent matches, particularly among the offensive players, Ronald Koeman made significant rotations, effectively deprioritizing this game to focus on the league. Apart from Yang Yang, the rest of the attacking lineup had been inconsistent, leading Koeman to make difficult choices. Ajax's squad depth simply wasn't enough to sustain high performance across multiple competitions, and young players like Babel and Maduro, while talented, weren't yet reliable standouts. The coaching staff, therefore, had to make trade-offs. 

Though the UEFA Cup is a prestigious European tournament, its financial rewards were modest compared to the Eredivisie. Securing a spot in the Champions League by focusing on the league promised Ajax a much-needed boost in revenue—likely over €10 million, a sum that winning the UEFA Cup wouldn't match. 

This reality explains why most top clubs hesitate to prioritize the UEFA Cup, especially with Champions League qualification on the line. 

Adding to the pressure, Ajax was set to face league leaders PSV Eindhoven at home in the 26th round of the Eredivisie. This match would be crucial in deciding the direction of the league title, making it impossible for Koeman to overlook. 

With a heavily rotated lineup, Ajax's performance understandably took a hit, yet Lille was unable to break through Ajax's disciplined defense. 

The match at the Amsterdam Arena ended in a 0-0 draw, allowing Ajax to progress to the UEFA Cup quarterfinals with a 1-0 aggregate victory over Lille. 

... 

... 

On March 19th, at the Amsterdam Arena, Ajax faced PSV Eindhoven in a high-stakes clash in the 26th round of the Eredivisie. 

By the 57th minute, the score remained locked at 0-0. Then, PSV manager Guus Hiddink made a surprising substitution, replacing team captain Mark van Bommel with Johann Vogel. 

Yang Yang was taken aback by the decision, as Van Bommel had been one of PSV's most influential players on the pitch. Hiddink's choice to bring on Vogel signaled an intent to intensify the attack. 

Before this, PSV had already subbed in Gerald Sibon, a towering 1.96-meter forward, in place of Farfan. With Sibon joining Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink up front, PSV now had a pair of aerial threats. With this shift in their game plan, they no longer needed the defensive midfield support of both Cocu and Van Bommel, especially given rumors that Van Bommel might have been carrying an injury. 

With these changes, it was clear that Hiddink intended to settle the score in the second half and bring the league title within PSV's grasp. 

PSV immediately ramped up the pressure, utilizing their twin towers in attack and attacking from the wings. Ajax, aware of PSV's superiority, maintained a steady, counter-attacking strategy, waiting for the right moment to strike. 

Just five minutes after Van Bommel left the field, Ajax found their chance. 

Charisteas dropped back to receive a pass, then quickly relayed the ball to Yang Yang on the right. Yang Yang now faced South Korean left-back Lee Young-pyo one-on-one. Though prepared, Lee was cautious, mindful of Yang Yang's reputation for speed and skill. 

In an instant, Yang Yang used a subtle feint to draw Lee's focus, then burst forward with explosive speed. Lee could only watch as Yang Yang slipped past him, surging into the penalty area before unleashing a right-footed shot. 

The ball flew past the goalkeeper into the net. 

The Amsterdam Arena erupted as Yang Yang celebrated his goal, his 21st of the season, putting Ajax ahead 1-0. 

Undeterred, PSV responded by pushing even harder. The entire Eredivisie knew Ajax's greatest vulnerability was defending high balls. Ronald Koeman had assigned Vlaar to guard Hesselink, who had been quiet in the first half, but Hiddink's introduction of the nearly two-meter-tall Sibon created a fresh challenge for Ajax's defense. 

Just five minutes after Yang Yang's goal, PSV seized their opportunity. 

Lee Young-pyo, showing remarkable composure, advanced down the left flank before delivering a precise cross into the penalty area. Sibon outjumped Heitinga, heading the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1. 

Yang Yang couldn't help but appreciate Lee's tenacity. Despite being beaten earlier, Lee remained unfazed, showing the mental strength Yang Yang admired. 

Moments later, Ajax countered again. 

Maicon's long pass found Yang Yang sprinting down the right wing. With a burst of speed, he lost Lee Young-pyo and surged into the penalty area. Spotting an opening, Yang Yang sent a low, sharp pass across the goal. 

Ryan Babel, recently subbed in for Pienaar, arrived at the far post to meet the cross, calmly slotting it into the net to restore Ajax's lead at 2-1. 

The fans at the Amsterdam Arena rode an emotional rollercoaster, cheering Ajax's resilience against a strong PSV side. PSV, however, showed their determination and kept pushing Ajax's defense to its limits. 

Despite solid performances from Vlaar and Vermaelen, replacing the defensive strength of former Ajax stars like Chivu and Escudé was no easy task. Ronald Koeman had hoped Wesley Sonck would step up this season, but he now found himself sidelined, with Koeman favoring Babel instead. Sonck's imminent departure from the team was all but certain, a fact that saddened Yang Yang, who had once shared the Champions League field with him. 

In the 86th minute, PSV won a corner. Hesselink rose above Ajax's defenders, heading the ball into the net to equalize once again, sealing a 2-2 draw in this thrilling showdown. 

With this result, the battle for the Eredivisie title remained wide open, the suspense building as the season neared its climax. 

... 

... 

Following the intense match against PSV, Ajax entered a two-week international break. 

Yang Yang received a call-up from the Chinese national team to prepare for the Asian World Cup qualifiers, where they would face Japan at home and then North Korea. Both matches were crucial, as their outcomes would determine China's position in Group 2 of the Asian qualifiers. Winning both would keep China's hopes for direct World Cup qualification alive. 

Arie Haan, fresh from vacation, stopped by De Toekomst to discuss his plans for the national team with Yang Yang. Haan emphasized his desire to introduce more young players into the squad. One point of concern was his dissatisfaction with Han Peng as the main forward. Haan had been searching for a partner up front who could support Yang Yang by holding off defenders, thereby allowing Yang Yang more freedom in attack, but his options from the Chinese Super League had been limited. 

Yang Yang felt his form had remained high and stable since late February. Coaches Ronald Koeman and Ruud Krol had provided him with strategies for maintaining this consistency. When he boarded his flight from Amsterdam to Beijing, Yang Yang closed his eyes, slipping into the Dream Training System to continue his focused mental preparation. 

"Kuyt hasn't scored in three consecutive rounds," Yang Yang mused, barely able to hold back a smirk. 

With 21 goals to Kuyt's 22, he was now just one goal behind in the Eredivisie scoring race. 

Kuyt's form was an enigma: when he scored, he was prolific, netting six goals in three games at one point. But his slumps came just as suddenly. The media had noted that this was the third time Kuyt had gone on a goal drought this season, with previous spells lasting three to five games. No one knew how long this current dry spell would continue. 

"It's normal," Zax explained calmly in the Dream Training System. "Think of it like eating your favorite food. If you have too much of it at once, you'll tire of it and need time to adjust." 

Yang Yang nodded thoughtfully. He recalled a time at home when he and his family had eagerly ordered two servings of their favorite dish, Sichuan duck. After polishing off both portions, they didn't crave it again for months. Scoring goals, it seemed, had similar psychological effects. 

"So, Zax, does that mean scoring too often can actually be a problem?" Yang Yang asked, intrigued. 

"Not exactly. It depends on the player." 

Yang Yang looked puzzled. 

"Scoring is like hunger," Zax explained. "For some players, reaching their goal tally can create a sense of satisfaction, causing them to relax a bit. For others, though, the hunger never fades. They stay driven, never satisfied, constantly pushing for more." 

Yang Yang nodded in understanding. "So which type do you think I am?" 

"That's something we don't know yet," Zax replied. "You've been motivated this season by having Kuyt to chase. But if the time comes when you're leading the race, you might find yourself in a similar slump—or you might not. Only once you're in that position will you know for sure." 

Yang Yang pondered this silently. It was like people imagining what they'd do with a million dollars or how they'd handle fame; they wouldn't truly know until they were living it. For Yang Yang, he had always aspired to be a star at Ajax, like Van der Vaart or Ibrahimovic, and now that he had reached that status, he was beginning to feel the heavy weight of expectation. 

The recent draw with PSV had worked in Alkmaar's favor. Van Gaal's side had beaten Vitesse 3-0, allowing them to leapfrog Ajax and take first place by a single point. Ajax, now third, had seen their title hopes dim slightly. 

Yang Yang's goal and assist in that game had earned praise from fans and media alike. Criticism fell on Ajax's defense for letting their lead slip twice. Yet Yang Yang still felt the mounting pressure to score more, to do more. 

As the season neared its climax, this pressure only intensified. He remembered how Van der Vaart had cracked under similar stress the previous season, leading to arguments with his girlfriend. Yang Yang had witnessed this firsthand when they met near the shores of Lake Oude Kerk. 

But Yang Yang was determined not to let the pressure break him as it had with Van der Vaart. To him, pressure was like a weight—a set of heavy shackles—that while burdensome, was also a form of training, pushing him to become stronger. 

Winston Bogarde had already started preparing sandbags for Yang Yang, planning an intense training program with weighted exercises over the summer. 

These shackles, like the sandbags, would be both a test and a means of growth. 

... 

... 

When Yang Yang arrived at Capital Airport, he was immediately surrounded by a large crowd of fans who had eagerly awaited his arrival. 

A sea of enthusiastic supporters chanted his name, filling the exit area with energy, while media reporters jockeyed for position behind them, cameras ready to capture the moment. The scene was so intense that Yang Yang himself was caught off guard, and even nearby passengers looked on in shock, marveling at the frenzy. 

Even the country's biggest stars rarely received such treatment. 

As news spread that Yang Yang had returned, curious onlookers and tourists quickly gathered around, adding to the already bustling crowd. 

Domestic websites quickly shared live updates, and netizens were astonished by the overwhelming enthusiasm of Yang Yang's fans. Few had expected that Yang Yang would inspire such a passionate reaction from local supporters. 

Carrying a duffel bag, Yang Yang could only smile wryly as he tried to calm the crowd, gently urging everyone to stay orderly. 

Fortunately, airport staff and security stepped in, creating a path for Yang Yang and escorting him to the car provided by the national team. 

Even as Yang Yang's car pulled away, he could see fans and reporters running alongside, waving and calling out. 

"Isn't this reaction a bit much?" Yang Yang chuckled, looking back with a mix of amusement and disbelief. 

"Not at all," laughed the national team driver, glancing back with a smile. "You have no idea. Even though Eredivisie games aren't broadcast in China, fans here follow every bit of news about you. Every goal you score sparks excitement." 

Yang Yang was surprised. Though he kept up with domestic news and often chatted with friends like Su Ye, Shen Yuzhu, and Wei Zhen, he hadn't realized the level of his impact back home. 

"You've got 21 goals in the Eredivisie already. Fans here are hoping you'll score even more, maybe even break Ronaldo's record," the driver added, his pride unmistakable, as if Yang Yang's success reflected his own. 

"Ah, it's not that easy," Yang Yang replied humbly, smiling. He knew he would work tirelessly toward that goal but preferred to let his actions speak rather than make bold declarations—that just wasn't his style. 

... 

... 

The national team's training camp was set at the Xianghe Base, though the first match against Japan would take place in Tianjin. 

While Tianjin's proximity to Japan meant a slight disadvantage in terms of home-field atmosphere, it also provided a logistical benefit by simplifying travel for the following game against North Korea. Since North Korea posed a similar challenge to Japan, minimizing travel time between matches was crucial. 

In Amsterdam, Arie Haan had already shared his concerns with Yang Yang about the criticism he faced from the domestic media, who accused him of being overly conservative. Haan admitted that his cautious approach came naturally, shaped by his background as a defensive midfielder, but he had genuine concerns about the team. 

Haan explained that, in his view, the technical and tactical abilities of Chinese players were not on par with top Asian teams, and their teamwork needed improvement. Given these limitations, he believed that a conservative strategy reduced the risk of the team faltering at critical moments. 

"I'd love to let the players be more aggressive," Haan admitted, "but it just isn't realistic right now. Some players have fragile mentalities under pressure, and a lack of caution could end up costing us dearly." 

Yang Yang had discussed this with teammates Zheng Zhi and Zhao Junzhe, and they agreed that Haan's caution was justified. Chinese football had yet to establish itself as a dominant force in Asia. For now, they had to approach each game with the mindset of an underdog. 

There was no team in the World Cup qualifiers that China could easily overcome. Japan and Iran were formidable, while North Korea had proven itself a tough opponent. Though media and fans often misunderstood this reality, the team remained disciplined, preparing to treat every match in the quarterfinals as if it were a final. 

Yang Yang's return to the squad brought a sense of excitement to the Xianghe Base. The team leaders and coaching staff greeted him warmly, inquiring about his recent form and urging him to keep up the momentum. 

With Haan's focus on youth, he had also brought in several younger players, including some familiar faces from Yang Yang's National Youth Team days. Chen Tao was quick to visit Yang Yang, eager to catch up and seek advice.