Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 024: Are You Sure He's a Goalkeeper?

Friday, under a clear sky, the air was crisp and sweet with the freshness of autumn. Today was truly a wonderful day—a perfect day for football.

Xu He was filled with anticipation for the afternoon match, spending the day lost in dreams of what was to come. At last, he was about to experience the first league game of his life.

He was excited.

His best friend, Li Jie, was equally thrilled, impatient for the game to begin. As soon as the afternoon classes ended, Xu He and Li Jie dashed to the field to join their teammates; they simply couldn’t wait any longer.

Both Xu He and Li Jie wore immaculate white uniforms—the national team kit of Huaxia’s men’s football squad. White shirts, shorts, socks, and shoes; their appearance was neat and spirited.

Upon arriving at the pitch, their teammates were already waiting, all clad in matching white jerseys, making them quite a sight.

Xu He chuckled, “Looks like someone was even more eager than us.”

Li Jie nodded, excitement shining in his eyes, though he said nothing.

Zhu Ge, noticing their arrival, waved them over; Xu He and Li Jie hurried to join him.

Zhu Ge said, “Alright, almost everyone’s here. Take this time to prepare yourselves—the first league match is about to begin.”

Truth be told, Zhu Ge, usually calm and composed, was a little agitated himself. Perhaps he didn’t even realize his voice trembled as he spoke.

But Xu He and the others didn’t notice. They were too excited.

Of course, they were also startled by the scene at the sidelines. The field was crowded—far more people than on Tuesday. The stands were filled with spectators.

Most striking of all was a group of girls in uniform white outfits sitting in the stands. Some held support banners, featuring large photos of Lin Xuefeng and encouraging messages for him.

Clearly, these girls were here for Lin Xuefeng.

Honestly, the spectacle amazed Xu He and the others. Was Lin Xuefeng really so popular? What charisma he had!

Many were envious. Xu He was, too.

Still, he didn’t dwell on it. His thoughts remained fixed on the imminent league match. He was fired up, yearning to charge onto the pitch.

Silently, Xu He cheered himself on: “Come on, Xu He, show them what you’ve got.”

At this moment, Zhu Ge addressed the group, “Our match is the second game today, so while you watch the first, don’t forget to warm up. Understood?”

The Class Ten football team had drawn the B4 lot, meaning they would play the last match of the first round.

“Understood, Captain,” responded Xu He and his teammates.

“Alright, get ready,” Zhu Ge said.

With that, Zhu Ge and Mu Yang began jogging along the sidelines to warm up for the impending match.

Naturally, Xu He and the others followed suit.

Suddenly, Xu He noticed at the edge of the field a short figure in a white Huaxia national team jersey, number 47, also training—dribbling as usual.

Xu He was no longer surprised by this sight.

If he ever didn’t see Lu Yiming there, then something would truly be amiss.

Watching Lu Yiming, Xu He felt genuine admiration. He muttered, “That kid…”

While Xu He and the others warmed up, a match in Group B had already started.

The first game was between Class Three (B1), wearing sky-blue Japanese national team jerseys, and Class Nine (B2), in white Czech national team kits.

The Class Ten team watched closely; these two teams were direct competitors, and it was vital to learn as much about them as possible.

Xu He warmed up on the sidelines, eyes fixed on the pitch, observing the match intently.

Unconsciously, he found himself next to Lu Yiming, who glanced at him, then dribbled away to train elsewhere.

Xu He touched his chin, bemused. What was that about? Was he really that intimidating?

He smiled wryly and focused his attention back on the game.

The match had been underway for some time. Both sides attacked back and forth, threatening each other’s goal—a balanced contest.

Suddenly, Li Liying approached Xu He and asked, “Who do you think will win this match?”

Xu He glanced at her and replied, “I don’t favor either side. It doesn’t matter who wins or loses.”

Li Liying regarded him thoughtfully. “Then what matters?”

Xu He answered, “What matters most is that we win.”

Naturally, Li Liying nodded. “Then let me wish you a triumphant start!”

Xu He grinned, “Thanks for your good wishes. We’ll give it our all and win this match.”

Just then, a change swept across the field. The Class Three team’s captain, number ten, attempted a lob shot from the edge of the penalty area—his fourth such attempt in this game.

The ball soared and crashed swiftly into Class Nine’s net.

One-nil, Class Three took the lead.

They were ecstatic, while Class Nine’s players were upset, even angry. Their classmates on the sidelines were furious, loudly criticizing Class Three.

Despicable! Shameless!

Vulgar! Low!

The Class Nine spectators railed against Class Three’s captain.

To them, he was cunning and unscrupulous. Seeing their goalkeeper was a short, chubby boy, he kept lobbing shots—plainly exploiting him.

Short and overweight, the keeper couldn’t jump high, so the captain kept lobbing, pushing the advantage to the extreme. He was almost inhuman, they cried.

Class Nine’s supporters were livid.

Many spectators at the sidelines fell silent, watching the pitch quietly.

Truth be told, it was hard to fault Class Three’s captain. His tactics were perfectly legitimate. On the battlefield, one must attack an opponent’s weaknesses with one’s strengths.

Class Nine’s goalkeeper had obvious shortcomings; Class Three merely exploited them—a natural strategy.

Who told them to choose a short player as goalkeeper? They should have anticipated this outcome.

So most thought Class Nine’s reaction was overblown.

Riled by Class Nine’s jeers, Class Three intensified their attacks, besieging Class Nine’s goal with frequent long shots and lobs—continuing to exploit the goalkeeper’s stature.

Class Nine’s supporters were itching with indignation, calling Class Three shameless.

But to everyone’s surprise, Class Nine’s short, chubby goalkeeper performed brilliantly.

He made several spectacular diving saves, repeatedly denying Class Three’s dangerous shots.

Xu He was slightly astonished—this keeper had real skill.

Later, an even more shocking event occurred, in the twenty-sixth minute of the second half.

Class Nine’s keeper, seeing his teammates unable to threaten Class Three’s goal, realized his team was doomed if things continued.

In desperation, he threw the ball ahead, then dribbled at speed into Class Three’s half.

Xu He’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Even more incredible, the chubby keeper changed direction, dribbling past three opponents, crossing half the field from his own penalty area, reaching the edge of Class Three’s box, and slotting a low shot into their goal.

The crowd was stunned into silence, left only with the sight of the keeper stripping off his shirt in flamboyant celebration.

Spectacular!

A goalkeeper carrying the ball from his own half, dribbling past three players, and scoring—this was like something out of science fiction, utterly breathtaking.

Xu He was dumbfounded. “My God, are you sure he’s a goalkeeper?”

Class Nine’s supporters were ecstatic, rushing the field to hoist the chubby keeper aloft, all shouting his name—Li Bo!

It was then that Xu He learned the keeper’s name: Li Bo.

Truly an extraordinary fellow.

Class Three’s players looked grim; to be scored on by a goalkeeper in such style was a humiliating blow.

They pressed fiercely, and in the thirty-fifth minute, their striker Tang Jike scored, reclaiming the lead.

Xu He knew Tang Jike—he was in the same class. When Li Jie formed the team, he had approached Tang Jike, but the proud striker had scoffed at Class Eleven’s squad and refused, joining Class Three instead.

Tang Jike was talented, but Xu He didn’t care for him.

Two-one, Class Three extended their advantage.

Watching, Xu He nodded slightly. Neither team was particularly strong; especially Class Nine, who lacked any real offensive capability. Without Li Bo’s brilliant solo effort, they wouldn’t have scored.

Class Three’s victory seemed assured.

Everyone at the scene shared this view.

Class Nine’s performance was indeed lacking.

But near the end of the match, Class Nine’s number eight midfielder was fouled by Class Three’s captain and awarded a direct free kick.

Li Bo, the keeper, and the number eight midfielder stood over the ball, both prepared to take the shot.

Xu He and everyone else were surprised—did Li Bo have free kick skills as well?

Class Three’s players focused their attention on Li Bo, only for Class Nine’s number eight to unleash a banana shot straight into Class Three’s net.

Two-two, Class Nine equalized in the dying moments.

What a rollercoaster of a match.

Xu He was surprised, and gained much insight into both teams.

Yet now, all his energy was devoted to his own impending league game.

Xu He was excited!

He could even hear his own heartbeat.

It was so close now—his first league match was truly about to begin.

Xu He clenched his fists, thinking, “Come on, Xu He!”