Chapter 22

Rongguang's goal came just as the first half was about to end.

When the game resumed, the referee soon blew the whistle for halftime.

Thanks to Rongguang's goal, São Paulo was temporarily tied 1-1 with Corinthians at home.

Scoring at the last moment of the first half was a significant boost to the morale of the entire São Paulo team.

This could be seen from the changes in the stands.

The São Paulo fans, who had fallen silent after Kaka's injury, began to shout and sing again as the first half was about to end, and this continued until halftime.

Rongguang followed his teammates off the field.

Someone patted him on the shoulder from behind.

He turned to see that it was the team captain, goalkeeper Dida.

"Good job, Rong." Just like when Rongguang first met Dida, he said with a smile, "Keep it up, and try to stay in the first team!"

Rongguang thought about what Lucas had said to him, the bet he had with Cleber.

If he couldn't stay in the first team, he would lose several thousand dollars!

He nodded, "Of course, Captain, I will definitely stay in the first team!"

Dida was pleased to see his determination and confidence.

If there were more young players like Rongguang on the team, they probably wouldn't have been in such a difficult situation recently...

***

The locker room was still the first team's locker room, but the atmosphere Rongguang felt when he walked in was different from before.

Baptista greeted him warmly, "Come in, Rong!"

The usually serious Fabiano smiled and patted his head affectionately, "Good job, rookie."

Rongguang's goal brought hope and confidence to São Paulo to win the game at home. The gloom that had settled over everyone after Kaka's injury was lifted, and the atmosphere in the locker room was much better.

Kaka didn't come out; he was receiving physiotherapy from Sanchez in the inner room. His injury in the first half was due to a strained thigh muscle.

Reinaldo was still a bit resentful when he saw Rongguang being welcomed by everyone, and he huffed.

However, unlike before, there were fewer people in his camp this time.

Even Rico came to congratulate Rongguang, though his expression was somewhat unnatural.

He felt ashamed of his previous behavior.

Because he was worried about being ostracized by the first team players, he had distanced himself from his friend. He felt like he had betrayed Rongguang.

Rongguang was so determined to stick to his path and finally won everyone's admiration and recognition, while he himself had even thought about making Rongguang give up...

Rico felt terrible for treating his friend like this!

As he was wallowing in self-pity, Rongguang gave him a hard slap on the back, which startled him.

When he looked at Rongguang again, Rongguang had already gone to his locker, sat down, took off his cleats and socks, and half-lay on the bench.

He knew what Rongguang's slap meant... he didn't mind his distance!

He put down his burden and became happy again.

He wanted to go to Rongguang, but he winced when he moved... his back hurt!

Rongguang's slap was really not light!

***

Oswaldo Oliveira walked in and immediately saw Rongguang sitting on the bench in a very relaxed manner.

He had taken a risk by bringing Rongguang on, and it had paid off.

"Good job, kid," he said with a stern face.

Though his face was stern, the praise was clear.

Rongguang smiled brightly; getting the coach's approval meant he had a better chance of staying in the first team! The several thousand dollars were almost in his hands!

"I did what I should, sir!"

He straightened up, chest out, and answered loudly.

Oswaldo nodded and began to discuss the plan for the second half.

The score was tied, but Oswaldo was not content with a draw.

While the team's morale was high, if they didn't pursue victory, he deserved to be fired!

"I know you're all fired up and want to tear Corinthians apart right now. But I have to remind you that despite equalizing, the situation is still not in our favor."

As a coach, he had to remain calm. While the players were still excited about the last-minute equalizer, he had already moved on to thinking about the second half.

He made his decision.

"In the second half, we will continue to let Corinthians dominate us!"

The players in the locker room were stunned.

They looked at the coach with disbelief.

Oswaldo Oliveira knew they would be confused and surprised, but he was confident in his decision.

Rongguang's goal was the strongest proof of his idea.

This São Paulo team was better suited to playing a counter-attacking style.

Although this might not be the kind of football everyone liked or appreciated.

But for results, they had to play defensively.

In theory, São Paulo, playing at home, should not use this tactic.

Especially in a derby like the "Majestic Derby."

If São Paulo played defensively at home against a strong opponent like Corinthians, it would be like admitting their weakness and incompetence in front of the opponent.

In Brazil, offensive and artistic football was more revered.

Except in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.

This state, with its European immigrants, especially German and Italian, had a defensive football style, even for teams like Grêmio and Internacional. Internacional won the Brazilian national league in 1975 with a defensive strategy.

In the southeastern and eastern regions of São Paulo and Rio, the football style was more offensive and artistic.

This was the most representative Brazilian football, the "Samba football" we all talk about.

Therefore, when facing a team of Corinthians' caliber, Oswaldo Oliveira's consideration of a counter-attacking strategy was quite bold.

Just like when Kaka was injured, he decided to bring on Rongguang, which was also bold...

Oswaldo ignored the players' surprised looks and began to explain why the team needed to do this.

"Although we equalized, overall, we are still weaker than Corinthians. You must see this and understand the situation. Corinthians have a full squad, but what about us? Kaka is injured, and although Rong scored a goal, he is still a rookie."

Rongguang grimaced.

Oswaldo noticed his expression and asked, "Rong, do you know how to organize an attack? Do you know what to do when facing a dense defense in the center? Can you disrupt the opponent's defense with the ball in a tight area?"

A series of questions left Rongguang speechless. Although he was indignant, he couldn't refute the coach.

"Without Ricardinho and Kaka, we have no one to organize the attack, which is our weakness. If we play a positional battle with Corinthians, our attack will definitely hit a dead end. We don't need to abandon our strongest weapon and choose something we're not good at. Our strongest weapon is..."

Oswaldo glanced at Rongguang, who was still不服气 (unconvinced), and found it amusing—what a cute rookie!

But his face remained expressionless.

He said sternly, "Rong."

"Ah?" Rongguang was startled when he heard the coach call his name. He had no idea what was going on—he hadn't heard anything Oswaldo said before.

The other players also looked at Rongguang, some surprised, some smiling.

"Our strongest weapon is you, Rong," Oswaldo repeated.

Being praised by the coach in front of the whole team, Rongguang was very excited. He smiled brightly and scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, "Ha, hehe..."

Oswaldo turned his gaze from Rongguang and continued, "Rong's speed is our only weapon now. We need to fully utilize this advantage. Letting Corinthians dominate us is part of this. Corinthians were in a good position in the first half, but Rong's counter-attack caught them off guard. I bet they won't let it go. That's perfect; we want them to press forward. When they do, there will be large gaps behind them, just like in the first half. That's when Rong can use his speed."

Rongguang punched his palm, "You'll see, sir!"

Oswaldo nodded, "In the second half, we will tighten our defense. Luis and Rong will roam up front, waiting for counter-attack opportunities. When you have the ball, pass it to open spaces, not to Rong's feet, but in front of him, so he can run. This time, Luis," he turned to Fabiano, "don't lose your position. I need you to be in the box. Rong will pass the ball to you..."

"I can score too..." Rongguang quickly added.

The assistant coach Mauro glared at him, "Either listen to the coach or get substituted!"

This was a surefire way to get Rongguang.

Hearing this, Rongguang immediately deflated.

Many in the locker room couldn't help but laugh at this scene—this kid was arrogant sometimes but also very cute... such a simple threat and he was subdued, ha!

Oswaldo found it amusing too. To not dampen Rongguang's enthusiasm, after Mauro's stern words, he added, "You can't shoot accurately yet, Rong. After this game, we will arrange specific shooting practice for you. Once you learn, you can shoot in games. But for now, your job is to assist."

Hearing there was still hope, Rongguang immediately perked up.

"No problem!"

Fabiano smirked—so easy to fool!

***

Meanwhile, in the Corinthians locker room, their coach Jair Ventura had obtained the information about São Paulo's goal scorer—many commentators and journalists knew this, so it wasn't a secret. If they could get it, Jair Ventura could too.

Looking at the information his assistant gave him, Jair Ventura's hand trembled slightly!

Because he realized his team had almost been brought down by this damn rookie!

He had only joined São Paulo's youth team a little over a month ago, starting from the basics. This meant what? It meant he had never been properly trained in football before. He was a complete novice! A virgin in football!

He was called up to the first team four days ago because São Paulo had too many injured players, meaning Rongguang was just filling in.

And now, this rookie who was just filling in had scored against Corinthians, equalizing the score and almost pushing Corinthians to the brink!

If his team lost to a Chinese rookie, it would be a huge disgrace!

Thinking of this, Jair Ventura raised the paper in his hand and said to the Corinthians players in an angry voice, "Is anyone interested in the thirty-third number who scored against us?"

When he said this, the players in the locker room looked up at the coach.

Of course, they were interested.

A sudden thirty-third number, with lightning speed, had turned a non-opportunity into a goal, scoring against Corinthians and helping São Paulo equalize. Under his unstoppable charge, the entire Corinthians team was in disarray!

The famous, experienced stars were completely overshadowed by this unknown face!

Since the halftime whistle, the Corinthians players had been discussing, "Who is this thirty-third number?"

This unknown person was like a mystery, impossible to see through.

Now, seeing the coach say this, it was clear he knew something.

"If I tell you that the person who embarrassed you is a rookie who has only been playing football for a little over a month, would you believe it?"

When Jair Ventura said this, the locker room was filled with gasps.

"This is impossible!"

"Sir, are you joking?"

"But this joke isn't funny at all..."

Some were panicked, some were incredulous, and some were dismissive.

But no one believed it.

Jair Ventura said in a cold tone, "I'm sorry, guys, but it's the truth. This thirty-third number is from China, and he only joined São Paulo's youth team a little over a month ago. He has no record before that, and he hasn't played a single official match in the youth team, only doing basic training... In other words, Wamberto, César, Luciano, and Dinei... you were humiliated by a complete novice!"

Hearing Jair Ventura say this, the named Corinthians players looked very uncomfortable, and the others looked at them with complex expressions.

They never imagined that the fast, intimidating player who had left them floundering was... a rookie?!

They had thought he might be a super rookie cultivated by São Paulo.

That would have made them feel better.

Now they realized the reality was even more brutal...

They felt a mix of anger and embarrassment.

Who among them wasn't a well-known professional player? Wamberto was even a regular in the Brazilian national team. To be outmaneuvered by an unknown rookie!

This was a bitter pill to swallow.

Not just these few, but the other Corinthians players were also surprised. They hadn't expected to be almost defeated by such a young player.

Jair Ventura saw their expressions and knew he had achieved his goal.

He was not content with just taking a point from this game.

In the Rio-São Paulo Championship last season, São Paulo beat Corinthians 2-1 at their home. In the São Paulo State Championship, São Paulo won 3-1 at home against Corinthians. In the last year's Avellaneda Cup, which is the Brazilian national league, São Paulo also beat Corinthians.

São Paulo had a perfect record against Corinthians throughout the last season.

This was unacceptable for the traditional powerhouse Corinthians.

They had to seek revenge.

This season was the best opportunity.

Despite dominating the first half, Corinthians had been held to a draw by São Paulo, and no one was content with that.

First, he needed to ignite the players' fighting spirit.

Once the players' morale was restored, everything would be easier. That's why he deliberately revealed Rongguang's true identity—not a mysterious genius, but a true novice.

Seeing the players' morale not only restored but also rising, Jair Ventura was satisfied.

He believed that if they continued to pressure São Paulo in the second half, Corinthians would definitely win.

His team was strong, but what did São Paulo have?

Nothing!

The goal was scored by a novice who got lucky. If he asked that kid to do it again, could he score?

Jair Ventura didn't believe it at all.

He demanded that the team continue to pressure São Paulo's goal in the second half, just like in the first half, and try to score again early in the second half.

"Our momentum is so good, and they only scored against us by luck. Are you willing to be held to a draw? No! Absolutely not! We didn't come here to take a draw!"