Chapter 57

At nine o'clock in the morning, Wang Bo arrived at the accounting school on time. Zhao Jianbin and the others were already waiting there, and they greeted him warmly when they saw him.

Wang Bo looked around and saw that, besides Zhao Jianbin, there were four more teammates from the football team, all of whom were key players: the center forward Hao Bin, the striker Yu Peng, the right back Song Jiemin, and the midfielder Xue Zhichao. Including Zhao Jianbin, the entire right flank of the team was present. Wang Bo thought that it was no wonder they had such good teamwork; they often played together.

Among these people, Hao Bin, Yu Peng, and Zhao Jianbin were all in their second year of high school, while Song Jiemin and Xue Zhichao were freshmen. Without any seniors from the third year, Zhao Jianbin, who had the best skills, was usually the leader.

After interacting with the team a few times, Wang Bo could see that Zhao Jianbin was the core of the team's offensive play. He was the key player who orchestrated most of the attacks, and the team's most familiar tactical formations were centered around him. Often, the team relied on his skillful dribbling and breakthroughs to break through the opponent's defense.

He believed that most opponents could see this as well, which was why Zhao Jianbin was always a key target for the opposing team in every match.

"Is it just us few? We can't even make up a full team," Wang Bo asked as they walked into the school together.

"It's a small field; having too many people would make it hard to play. You'll see when we get there," Zhao Jianbin replied.

Soon, Wang Bo saw the pitch. It was a mini-field with smaller goals, and the entire field was not much larger than a basketball court.

The opponents appeared to be college students from the accounting school, and they were quite familiar with Zhao Jianbin and the others. After a casual greeting, they split up and started playing.

Originally, it was supposed to be a five-on-five match without goalkeepers, but after discussing with the opponents, they decided to play six-on-six. The other side had eight people, so they readily agreed.

Although it was called a match, it was played very casually, with no scorekeeping and a fast pace. Wang Bo felt that this style of play mainly focused on improving small-area teamwork and individual breakthrough skills, but the limitations of the field meant that crossing and aerial tactics were not well-practiced.

He gradually understood why the current offensive combination, despite having good teamwork and sharp breakthroughs, could not deliver the final blow.

Through this match, Wang Bo also noticed something special about Xue Zhichao, the midfielder. On this small field, he played as a central defender, and his man-marking and positioning skills were excellent. He also had a good long pass. Wang Bo thought that if he focused on defense, he would perform even better. If he were to be developed into a defensive midfielder and placed in the holding role, the team's central defense would be more solid.

However, because of his young age, he was still at a physical disadvantage. But his awareness and skills were already sufficient, and even if he were developed, he would be more of a technical holding midfielder, slightly inferior to the type of defensive midfielder Wang Bo had in mind.

They played for about an hour, and during this time, the two spectators from the other side took turns to play. When the players from Guanglin High School were tired, they would call on the opponents to help out. So, this match was not serious at all; it was more like a friendly game.

Around 10:30, everyone was sweating, and the sun was high and intense. Their stamina was running low, so after another goal, someone called for a stop, and the match ended.

The college players had prepared mineral water and generously invited the younger players to join them. While they were huddled together drinking, Wang Bo asked, "You already have eight people, why don't you gather a few more for a more formal match?"

One of them laughed and said, "We can gather more people, just a couple of extras, but finding opponents is the problem. The people who come to play here usually can't make up a full team, so how can we have a match?"

Another added, "The field is also an issue. The school's professional football field is regularly maintained, and it's only used for team training and matches, with a supervisor watching over it. It's not easy to get access."

The mini-field they were standing on was made of plastic and was open to everyone.

Wang Bo said, "The field is not a problem. If this one doesn't work, we can go to Guanglin High School. The field there is a bit rough, but it's grass and open for use."

The college players got excited, "So, we can have a friendly match at your place next time?"

"Jianbin, what do you think?" Wang Bo asked, respecting Zhao Jianbin's opinion. The latter, after taking a sip of water, said nonchalantly, "I have no problem with it. As long as we can play."

"Then let's make it next Sunday," Wang Bo suggested, "Same time, we'll have a friendly match at Guanglin High School. Bring more people so we have substitutes."

"Sure!" "Sure!" The older players agreed enthusiastically.

So, it was decided. As the team left the accounting school, Wang Bo asked them, "Do you usually play together, or are there other teammates?"

Hao Bin replied, "We're about the same. We usually play on small fields because having too many people means we have to rotate. So, we split into groups. Usually, there are five or six of us, and some don't come out to play often."

"Right," Yu Peng added, "The seniors in their third year are busy preparing for the college entrance exam, so they don't come out."

The team currently had three seniors, including the goalkeeper Ge Zhen, a left back, and a center back.

Wang Bo asked, "Where does Lu Guanghe usually play?"

Zhao Jianbin answered, "He used to play with us, but then he said he wanted to bring in new players, so he formed a group with some of the second team players." The second team referred to the substitutes. "They usually play at Nanwan Sports School."

"Nanwan Sports School, isn't that a middle school?" Wang Bo was surprised.

"Yes," Zhao Jianbin nodded, "But the people there are strong and have good skills."

Wang Bo thought: It seems that as a quasi-captain, Lu Guanghe is thinking about the team's future and actively leading the new players.

Song Jiemin added, "Lu is a graduate of Nanwan Sports School. He knows people there and often goes to maintain relationships, hoping to bring some promising players to Guanglin. I was recruited by him last year, though Fu Shui also wanted me."

He graduated from Nanwan Sports School and was admitted to Guanglin High School through a sports scholarship, which is why he was more physically built than Xue Zhichao, despite being in the same grade.

Zhao Jianbin teased, "Hey, are you regretting it?" Song Jiemin just shook his head and sighed, not responding.

"Let's invite Lu Guanghe and the others to play next week. More practice will benefit the team," Wang Bo suggested, and the others agreed.

The six of them left the accounting school, chatting and laughing as they walked to the nearby bus stop. Suddenly, they encountered a group of about seven or eight young men, all around seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in flashy clothes and looking like typical hooligans.

Seeing this group, the team members instinctively stopped talking, lowered their heads, and tried to pass by without incident.

Just as they were about to pass, Song Jiemin looked up and saw a familiar face in the group. Surprised, he called out, "Hey, Ah Xing, what a coincidence!"

The man called Ah Xing, whose real name was Li Xing, was a muscular and strong leader of the group. He had also graduated from Nanwan Sports School, but he was a year older than Song Jiemin. They had met on the field and often played together, so their relationship was quite good, and Song Jiemin called him casually.

However, after graduating, Li Xing lost contact with Song Jiemin, and their friendship had faded. Now, being called so casually in front of his subordinates, he felt embarrassed.

He looked at the person who called him, remembering that he had heard Song Jiemin was admitted to Guanglin High School through a sports scholarship. He knew what kind of people they were and felt confident. He then gave some instructions to his subordinates.

A tall, thin man from the group suddenly rushed forward and kicked Song Jiemin, shouting, "You little punk, can't you speak properly! Call me Brother Xing!"

The kick didn't affect Song Jiemin much because of his strong build, but the thin man stumbled back several steps. The team members immediately changed their expressions when they saw the sudden conflict.

Zhao Jianbin quickly stepped forward and apologized, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding, my brother must have mistaken you. Sorry, sorry, Brother Xing!" He nodded to Li Xing, but Song Jiemin was stunned, not expecting his former friend to turn on him so quickly and send his subordinates to teach him a lesson.

"Shut up," Li Xing sneered, "Stand still!" His subordinates then split into two groups, blocking their way.

Wang Bo observed the situation, waiting to see what Brother Xing would do. Li Xing looked at each of them, seeing no obvious signs of defiance, and felt satisfied. He then shouted, "We're short on cash and can't even buy cigarettes. Do you have any money? Hand it over!"

Xue Zhichao, who was more afraid of trouble, was the first to reach into his pocket. The others, except Wang Bo, exchanged glances and also started to take out their money. They didn't want to start a fight, even though they might not be at a disadvantage in a six-on-eight match.

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