Chapter 18

When Gilherme and his teammates were celebrating the goal, the Corinthians fans in the stands let out a huge cheer.

The "Loyal Eagles" in the away section of the stands created a tremendous atmosphere.

Their most famous war drum sounded along with their cheers.

They had a drum corps of over three hundred people, and during the match, their drumming was like a command flag for Corinthians.

When the drumming became intense, Corinthians would launch fierce attacks on their opponents.

So when the opponents heard the intense drumming, they would start to feel nervous, worried that their goal would be breached amidst Corinthians' relentless attacks.

After Corinthians scored, their drumbeats became lively and joyful, making people want to stand up from their seats and sway to the rhythm.

Now, the stands of Morumbi Stadium were filled with such lively and cheerful drumbeats.

The Corinthians fans expressed their emotions through the drumming.

They were also mocking the São Paulo defenders.

The defense just now resulted in their own players colliding with each other, which was incredibly stupid!

If not for this mistake, Gilherme wouldn't have been able to easily break into the penalty area and score.

They really needed to thank that No. 33!

Someone really started shouting from the stands.

"Thank you, No. 33! Keep it up!! Thanks!"

***

"Ahahahaha! Idiot! Idiot! So stupid!"

Laughter erupted among the youth team players.

"Is this one of the top ten stupid mistakes in football?"

"São Paulo lost a goal because of this, what a waste!"

"How could he collide with his own teammate... Where were his eyes looking?"

"Or rather, what was he thinking?" Kleber snorted, then turned to look at Lucas, who was sitting two rows behind him. "Looks like your good friend will be back in the youth team with us soon, Lucas. Are you ready with the 100,000 reais?"

Lucas ignored his taunt and looked at the field, his gaze falling on Rongguang.

Rongguang had already gotten up from the ground and was running forward.

From his posture, it was impossible to tell if the mistake had affected him.

He believed that Rongguang was not affected by the mistake.

With Rong's greedy nature, he wouldn't let 5,000 reais go to waste, would he?

For the sake of those 5,000 reais, you would fight hard too, right, Rong?

***

Korei was surrounded by her friends. When Rongguang came onto the field, they recognized him and cursed him a lot.

Now, seeing Rongguang make a mistake that led to São Paulo losing a goal, they were very happy.

It seemed as if São Paulo losing a goal didn't matter to them.

As long as they could see this bastard suffer, they didn't care about São Paulo's fate...

Korei didn't join her friends in their gleeful laughter. She stared at Rongguang on the field, the figure running towards the center circle.

In her heart... she was actually a bit worried.

Would this bastard be defeated by this?

***

Godo raised his hands and placed them on his head, his gaze somewhat dazed as he looked at the field.

What a damn bad luck!

He really wanted to curse.

Rong's first match, how could it be so unlucky?

Such a start, it's just terrible!

The pressure he was most worried about has now become a reality.

If it was just a match without any mistakes, it would probably just be a game to gain experience.

But now, because of his mistake, the team lost a goal. All the pressure is on Rongguang. If São Paulo loses the match, the media and fans will surely criticize Rongguang.

At that time, it won't just be his future in the first team, but probably his future in the youth team as well...

Thinking of this possibility, Godo shuddered... He had gone through great lengths to bring Rongguang from China to Brazil and get him into São Paulo, not for him to be kicked out after two months!

Staring at Rongguang's figure, Godo gritted his teeth and whispered, "You have to hold on, Rong!"

***

On the São Paulo bench, many players, after seeing Rongguang and Lugano collide, put their hands on their heads, very frustrated.

Then they started cursing Rongguang.

"What is that rookie doing?"

"Idiot!"

Kaka didn't put his hands on his head, though he was also very disappointed.

He still maintained his dignity.

Oliveira also looked at Rongguang, his expression not very good.

He began to doubt whether his decision just now was a mistake.

If the team loses this match, his substitution will certainly be criticized by the media... At that time, he might only have one way out.

Why didn't he see Lugano just now?

***

The attitude of the São Paulo players on the field was no better than that of their teammates on the bench.

The Uruguayan center-back Diego Lugano, who was knocked down by Rongguang, was the most upset. He was defending Gilherme and was confident he could stop him, but he was unexpectedly knocked down by his own teammate!

He let Gilherme escape!

After getting up, he spat at Rongguang's back, "Idiot!"

The other teammates, though they didn't directly fight among themselves during the match, looked at Rongguang with unfriendly eyes.

To them, Rongguang's appearance was a mistake, more harmful than helpful.

Luiz Fabiano shook his head at Baptista, "What did I say just now? Sigh..."

If they lose the match for such a stupid reason... That would be... so embarrassing!

***

Rongguang could feel the mocking, ridiculing, and gloating gazes, but he ignored them, walking through the malice and stopping in front of the center circle.

He lowered his head, and to outsiders, it seemed like he felt guilty, nervous, and depressed because of the mistake.

But in reality, Rongguang was gritting his teeth!

He lowered his head, and no one could see his expression.

It was actually very fierce.

Anger was burning fiercely in his heart, almost burning through his body.

He was still angry about Gilherme's expression and tone when he ran up to him after scoring and patted his shoulder, saying "thanks."

This bastard!

Bastard!

Bastard!!!

Why isn't the match starting yet?

Start already!

I can't wait to destroy Corinthians!

***

The drumbeats in the stands changed, from lively and cheerful to intense, expressing the "Loyal Eagles'" hope for their team. They hoped that after the match resumed, Corinthians would not relax but continue to push for more goals.

The humiliation of last year's complete defeat must be avenged today!

The intense drumbeats echoed in the air of Morumbi Stadium, making every São Paulo fan feel uneasy.

This is the power of the largest fan organization in Brazil!

The referee blew the whistle, and the match resumed!

After the match resumed, São Paulo's attack did not threaten Corinthians' goal. Neither Luiz Fabiano nor Baptista could get the ball to the goal.

For Corinthians' goalkeeper Doni, his job was very easy.

Then Corinthians launched a wave of attacks, pushing São Paulo back to their own half, unable to even cross the midfield.

"Corinthians is completely dominating São Paulo! It's unbelievable—this is really São Paulo's home ground?" the commentator Galvão Bueno shouted.

"São Paulo is in trouble. After losing Kaka, their attack has lost direction and cannot be organized. The forward Luiz Fabiano is like a decoration in the front, and he has to return to the back to participate in the defense. If this continues, I believe São Paulo will eventually collapse..." Jeca Taffarel also thought so.

Everyone could see that São Paulo was like a small boat in a storm, sometimes thrown to the top of a wave, sometimes plunged into the depths, and no one knew when the boat would be shattered by a huge wave.

The Corinthians fans were very happy. The "Loyal Eagles" fans in the stands sang songs to cheer for Corinthians, and the drumbeats became even more intense and arrogant.

The away fans completely ignored the tens of thousands of São Paulo fans, turning Morumbi Stadium into Corinthians' home ground.

Accompanied by Corinthians' relentless attacks, with the intense drumbeats as the accompaniment, their songs echoed in the air of Morumbi Stadium.

"… Salute to Corinthians! The champion of champions! Forever, in our hearts! Salute to Corinthians! Among countless honors! You are our pride! … For Brazilian athletes, your past is a flag! Your present is an example! … You are at the top! In our football! Great Corinthians! Always soaring high! In Brazil, you are the true Brazilian club! …"

In their songs, every São Paulo fan's face was very grim.

***

Facing São Paulo's full retreat, Corinthians occasionally tried a long pass to test their luck.

Maybe the opponent's defender will be knocked down by that No. 33 again, giving our forward another chance? Come to think of it, that guy is actually a spy for Corinthians, right? Haha!

This was the thought of Corinthians' center-back Fábio Luciano when he had the ball behind the midfield. So he directly kicked the ball from the back to the front, a long pass!

The other Corinthians players, seeing the long pass, all pressed towards São Paulo's penalty area, hoping to secure the second touch. If the ball was headed out, they would launch a second attack.

They wanted to bring continuous attacks to São Paulo, pinning them in their own half, making them unable to breathe, and then completely collapse under Corinthians' strong attacks!

Lugano, who was knocked down by Rongguang and failed to defend, was full of anger. Seeing the opponent kick so simply and roughly, a long pass that showed complete disregard for his defense, his anger grew even more. He was determined to prove to the opponent that he was not an idiot like Rongguang!

He jumped high, using all his strength, twisting his waist and head in the air, and headed the ball before Gilherme!

The ball flew over the dangerous area in front of the penalty area and towards the center circle.

A successful header clearance, not giving the opponent a chance to secure the second touch and launch a second attack in a dangerous area.

Although Lugano was still young, only 21, he had twice been selected for the Uruguayan national team and was very calm in defense.

Even in extreme anger, he made the best choice.

"São Paulo cleared the ball successfully..."

Based on previous experience, at this point, a Corinthians defender or defensive midfielder would be waiting at the center circle, coming forward to receive the ball and organize another attack. However, São Paulo's defense would also be set up, not giving the opponent much of a chance. So this was a successful clearance.

Now, Corinthians' starting defensive midfielder Marcos Vampeta was preparing to do just that.

He ran towards the ball.

But he soon realized something was wrong!

Because he saw someone from the other side approaching him at high speed, also approaching the ball!

"Look! Who is that?!"

"Goodness—!"

Suddenly, a cry of surprise came from the stands.

***

Rongguang saw Lugano head the ball towards him. He originally wanted to receive it, thinking that after waiting so long, he finally had a chance!

But he soon realized he couldn't receive it because the ball was heading towards the area behind him.

Unwilling to give up, Rongguang turned to chase the ball.

The ball flew fast, so he ran fast, starting at full speed.

Like a ray of light, shooting towards the ball!

During the sprint, his vision passed over the ball, seeing Vampeta ahead.

By distance, Vampeta might be closer to the ball than him...

He had to get the ball before Vampeta, or his hard-won chance would be gone!

Rongguang accelerated!

***

When Godo saw this scene in the stands, he unconsciously stood up from his seat, leaning forward, his eyes fixed on Rongguang without blinking.

He suddenly realized this might be a great opportunity for Rongguang!

Because behind Vampeta, there was a full 60 meters of open space!

In this space, there were almost no Corinthians defenders—only a few on the sides, but none in the center!

If Rongguang could get the ball... wouldn't that be what he was best at?!

His fists clenched tightly.

A voice in his heart was shouting, gradually breaking free from the mental constraints, dispelling his worries about Rongguang's future, and bursting out from his throat.

"Get past him! Rong! Get past him!! Get past him!! You can do it! Get past him—!"

***

Kaka, with his right hand supporting his chin and his elbow resting on his thigh, leaned forward, watching the field.

He had been in this position for a while, his eyes unfocused and lifeless.

São Paulo had been dominated by Corinthians, unable to even cross the midfield, with no hope of a comeback.

Was this match really going to be lost?

He began to blame his body.

If he wasn't injured, it wouldn't be like this.

At the very least, when he was on the field, the match was evenly matched, and São Paulo hadn't lost a goal.

If he wasn't injured, he wouldn't have been substituted, the rookie wouldn't have had a chance to play, wouldn't have collided with Lugano, wouldn't have let Gilherme score, and São Paulo wouldn't be trailing and in such a predicament!

It was all because of him!

Just as he was wallowing in self-pity, a flash of lightning suddenly appeared in his blurred vision!

His eyes were drawn, quickly refocusing.

He saw the ball land between Vampeta and Rong, and Rong was sprinting from behind!

His speed... so fast!

Kaka involuntarily opened his mouth wide, staring in disbelief at the scene before him.

***

Vampeta originally intended to come forward and get the ball early.

But he soon realized this was not feasible because the opponent was approaching the ball at high speed. He hesitated for a moment and then gave up on this plan.

To avoid being too close to the opponent and being bypassed, he started to retreat, creating distance, and reorganizing the defense.

At this moment, the sprinting Rongguang finally reached the ball's landing point, and the ball also landed.

Rongguang, while running, extended his right leg. Since the distance was still some way off, he stretched his leg as far as possible, even leaning back slightly, affecting his speed. Everything he did was to get the ball before Vampeta!

He didn't try to control the ball; such a posture wouldn't allow him to stop the ball. He kicked the ball forward directly!

Since he couldn't stop the ball... he wouldn't stop!

Pong!

The ball rose again, flying over Vampeta's head and towards the open space behind him in the Corinthians' half!

Because of the excessive force used to reach the ball, Rongguang stumbled slightly, but this did not affect his speed. He immediately accelerated again, rushing past the flustered Brazilian national team defensive midfielder!

Despite Vampeta's precautions, he was already turning to chase, but before he could complete the turn, Rongguang had already sped past him with a blur!

He even heard the sound of an F1 car passing by, disturbing the air!

When he turned around, all he saw was the back of the São Paulo player.

São Paulo No. 33, RONG!

The songs and intense drumbeats of the Corinthians fans in the stands, which had been continuous, suddenly stopped! It was as if someone had choked them and knocked the drumsticks out of their hands!

***

The muscles in Rongguang's thighs contracted tightly, like a taut string, generating tremendous tension and releasing it instantly. His legs moved like the pistons of a car engine, lifting and pressing down, the frequency increasing, generating more and more power, ultimately pushing Rongguang to his maximum speed!

At that moment, Rongguang felt as if he had returned to the hills of his hometown, where he ran and played freely with Xiao Bai, the wind sweeping through the valleys, leaving his shouts and Xiao Bai's barks behind.

Running, it felt so good!

***

PS: From this chapter onwards, please play My Chemical Romance's "Planetary (Go!)" on repeat while reading.

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