Chapter 57

Fabrício still didn’t understand why Rong Guang didn’t take the ball away when he hadn’t rushed up, but instead waited for him to charge forward and then used this dribbling move to get past him... Was it just to make him suffer this humiliation?

In fact, during the time Rong Guang was looking down in a daze, he was actually trying to recite a mnemonic.

But he quickly realized—this is a match, why should I still be reciting mnemonics?

Mnemonics are for practice, not for matches!

When he came to his senses, he didn’t even need to look up to know that a Corinthians player was rushing at him—they would be surprised if they didn’t.

Rong Guang pushed the ball forward, and the move to dribble past the player was completely instinctive, without any thought, a natural reaction of his body.

And it was the most correct reaction!

He just got past Fabrício!

Rong Guang quickly caught up with the ball, now directly facing Corinthians’ defense.

Faced with Rong Guang’s pressure, Corinthians’ backline didn’t panic, and no one recklessly rushed to intercept Rong Guang.

Rong Guang wasn’t Kaka; he didn’t have the ability to score from a long-range shot.

So the Corinthians players weren’t worried about him shooting from outside the penalty area.

As long as they held the line and didn’t give him the chance to use his speed, he would pose no threat to the goal guarded by Dida.

Thus, a situation arose—about six to seven meters away from Rong Guang, the Corinthians defenders on the penalty area line didn’t move to defend Rong Guang, allowing him to dribble the ball in front of them!

However, the commentator Cafure didn’t find this situation surprising or unbelievable, and he said that Corinthians’ choice was correct.

"It seems Pereira has really put effort into Rong Guang..."

***

Seeing that Rong Guang had gotten past Fabrício, Luís Fabiano quickly retreated to support Rong Guang.

"Pass the ball over!" he shouted at Rong Guang.

In his view, Rong Guang’s move to get past Fabrício had some luck involved, and if he continued to dribble forward, he would likely lose the ball.

At this moment, passing the ball to him was the best choice.

Not only Fabiano, but Ricardinho, who was a bit behind him, also shouted, "Pass back, Rong!"

Moreover, the fans in the stands also thought that the best choice for Rong Guang was to pass the ball to Kaka, who was in good form, to take a long-range shot, which might even result in a goal.

But Rong Guang didn’t pass to anyone; he charged towards the Corinthians’ well-prepared defense with the ball!

Wanpetta, who was next to Kaka, hesitated for a moment. He saw Rong Guang suddenly look up while dribbling the ball and glance at the Corinthians’ defense.

Wanpetta, with his extensive experience, suddenly realized something was wrong!

This Chinese kid wasn’t going to pass!

So he no longer cared about defending Kaka and instead rushed towards Rong Guang.

That kid isn’t good at dribbling; if I apply pressure, he will definitely lose the ball!

Thinking this, Wanpetta rushed to Rong Guang’s side and tried to tackle the ball from the side!

Just as he thought he was about to kick the ball, Rong Guang poked it away with his right foot, and at the same time, Rong Guang darted past him like a gust of wind!

***

When Wanpetta came to tackle Rong Guang, Anderson, the Corinthians defender on the defensive line, thought Rong Guang would be easily dispossessed by Wanpetta, and his defensive task would be over.

But what he didn’t expect was that Rong Guang poked the ball away first!

Alright, if he poked it away, so be it. This might be my chance!

Rong Guang’s dribbling ability was clear to him; under Wanpetta’s interference, this kick couldn’t possibly be within his control.

He might even poke the ball directly to his feet!

Anderson moved his position slightly forward, preparing to receive the ball poked by Rong Guang.

But the ball didn’t roll to his feet as he hoped; it slowed down at a distance, and Rong Guang caught up with it!

Rong Guang poked the ball away, but he caught up with it before Anderson did!

This showed that his poke wasn’t far, not a hurried touch to escape Wanpetta’s defense, but a genuine dribble!

***

Paul, who saw this on the sidelines, still had his hands on his head, but his expression changed.

"Huh?"

He was somewhat incredulous.

On the other hand, Osvaldo excitedly stood up from his seat.

This was what he wanted to see!

The results of the special training!

***

When Rong Guang caught up with the ball again, he was very close to the Corinthians defenders Anderson and Cleber. This was the last line; if Rong Guang couldn’t break through, he would be dispossessed, with no room for maneuver.

On the stands and in front of the TV, everyone was staring at Rong Guang, not blinking, afraid of missing anything.

Seeing the two were very close, Anderson planned to apply more pressure, stick to Rong Guang, and force him to slow down, not letting him have the chance to push the ball forward. Even if the ball went past, the man couldn’t!

This was Corinthians’ strategy against Rong Guang.

But just as Anderson was about to move forward, he saw Rong Guang crouch down, like a spring that had been compressed, and suddenly dart forward!

Anderson only saw Rong Guang’s figure blur in front of him, and then he was gone!

By the time he reacted, he only caught a glimpse of Rong Guang’s back as he passed by!

Is he crazy?!

Anderson was extremely shocked, remembering Rong Guang’s lack of dribbling skills!

***

"Rong Guang is dribbling through!" Bueno exclaimed.

Faced with the double team from Anderson and Cleber, Rong Guang was very determined, not only refusing to slow down and pass but accelerating forward!

Wasn’t he worried about losing control of the ball?!

This was already on the penalty area line; if he pushed the ball too far, it would go straight to the goalkeeper Dida!

The Corinthians fans in the stands couldn’t help but exclaim at this sight.

At this moment, Leonardo, who was leaving to bid farewell to Galliani, pushed open the door of the box and saw Rong Guang dribble past Anderson’s defense.

He was stunned.

Not Kaka?

It’s that Chinese kid!

What is he going to do?!

***

Seeing Rong Guang dribble through, the Corinthians full-back Cleber, who was protecting the flank, rushed over from the side, trying to tackle or interfere with Rong Guang.

Rong Guang wasn’t good at dribbling; this kick would definitely be too far! He didn’t necessarily need to destroy the ball; just by positioning himself in time and forcing Rong Guang to slow down, the ball would fall into Dida’s control...

Of course, it would be best to destroy the ball directly.

He rushed to tackle.

He thought he was closer to the ball than Rong Guang and had the advantage...

But just as he swung his leg, Rong Guang got to the ball first and poked it away again!

For the third time!

He always managed to touch the ball a step ahead of the Corinthians players!

"Damn!" Edvaldo Simões, the Corinthians club football director, couldn’t help but stand up from his seat, cursing involuntarily.

He completely forgot that the club president was sitting next to him, and the president was turning to look at him in surprise.

Simões no longer cared about the president’s surprised and slightly reproachful gaze; he stared intently at Rong Guang on the field.

His gaze was like two high-energy laser beams, as if trying to pierce through Rong Guang’s body!

***

Cleber didn’t pull his foot back, or rather, Rong Guang was too fast, and he couldn’t react in time.

He tripped Rong Guang!

When his foot made contact with Rong Guang’s foot, his heart sank.

Although he raised his hands to indicate his innocence, he could already see Rong Guang falling in the penalty area, and the referee signaling a penalty...

Then he would be the culprit of Corinthians’ failure!

He watched in horror as Rong Guang’s body lunged forward, about to fall...

No! Don’t fall!

Cleber screamed in his heart.

Huh?

In the next moment, he saw Rong Guang’s lunging figure stop.

Was time frozen?

No!

He widened his eyes in shock, and in his terrified gaze, he saw the No. 33 of São Paulo rise again!

Rong Guang’s body was like a ship breaking through the waves, standing tall and proud!

This...

Cleber suddenly regretted, wishing Rong Guang had fallen just now.

Because that way, he would have at least successfully completed a defense, even if it was a foul. A foul is part of defense. A penalty isn’t a 100% chance of scoring...

But now, he was suddenly very afraid!

He felt that the No. 33 of São Paulo standing up was more dangerous than a penalty!

There was no reason, just a gut feeling, but that’s how he felt.

He felt that this stubborn and dangerous figure was more threatening than a penalty!

But what could be more dangerous than a penalty?

A direct goal!

***

When Rong Guang rushed past Cleber, he suddenly lost his balance.

He saw the scene in front of him change from the ball to the patchy grass... Was he going to fall?

Damn!

How could this be?

Rong Guang instinctively reached out to support himself.

When his hand touched the solid ground, his body’s center of gravity continued to move forward due to inertia.

It seemed impossible to avoid a face-plant...

Rong Guang gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his neck. He pushed down with his arm and left leg.

If he fell, it might give São Paulo a penalty... but what did that have to do with him?

Kaka has already scored, and I want to score too!

I want to score!

I—want—to—score!

The body that was about to fall stopped this trend, paused for an extremely short moment, and then lifted its head again!

He overcame inertia!

***