Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 61: The Odds Are Against Us in This Match

The match between Class Three’s football team and the joint team from Class Five and Class Eight had ended in a draw, two goals apiece.

Thus, both sides now had the same record: two draws and one loss, with two points each. However, in terms of goal difference, the joint team from Class Five and Class Eight held the advantage, which meant that Class Three’s football team was already eliminated at this stage.

No wonder Li Jie had asked Xu He, “Are you satisfied with this result?” And no wonder the players from Class Ten’s football team regarded Xu He with such looks.

Although they had edged out Class Three, the joint team from Class Five and Class Eight found themselves in an awkward position, teetering on the brink of elimination. Their current rival was Class Nine’s football team.

Class Nine’s football team also had two points, matching their total. If Class Nine lost their next match and failed to earn any points, they too would finish with two points, tying with the joint team.

At that point, it would come down to goal difference. The joint team from Class Five and Class Eight currently had a goal difference of minus two. If Class Nine lost to Class Ten by a score of zero to one, their goal difference would be minus one, and Class Nine would advance. If Class Nine lost zero to two, both teams would have a goal difference of minus two. Then, it would depend on goals scored: the joint team had scored three goals, while Class Nine had scored two, so the joint team would advance. If Class Nine lost by three goals or more, the joint team would naturally progress as well.

So, the joint team still held hope for advancing. Now, all their wishes were for Class Nine’s football team—who had just been cheering them on—to lose, ideally by two goals or more. Such is reality.

Of course, the joint team was also worried. Since Class Ten’s football team had already secured advancement, they feared Class Ten might rest their starters and send in substitutes, playing without effort. If so, their chances would truly dwindle.

Thus, the players from the joint team hoped that Class Ten would field their strongest lineup, and give their all. In fact, at that moment, the players from the joint team were shouting from the sidelines, “Fair play, uphold sportsmanship!” reminding Class Ten’s players of their duty.

Zhu Ge found this rather amusing. Was Class Ten’s football team the sort to go easy? Certainly not.

There was still some time before the match began. Zhu Ge gathered all his players to hold a meeting.

He surveyed everyone, then said, “Although we've already advanced, I still want you all to give your best. Show your strength, and let everyone see who is truly the strongest team at Jin Guan City’s Seventeenth High School.”

Yes, Zhu Ge’s competitive spirit was strong. The rest nodded in agreement; none wanted to hold back, all eager to go all out.

Xu He felt a jolt in his heart. Perhaps he would once again be sitting on the bench, waiting for his chance. Yet his eyes were filled with hope—hope for a miracle, hope that he might see his name among the starters.

Then Zhu Ge spoke, “We absolutely must not give others grounds to accuse us of going easy, of not giving our best. We must abide strictly by the principles of fair competition, understood?”

Xu He and the others nodded, indicating they understood.

Zhu Ge continued, “Very well, no more unnecessary words. Now I’ll announce the starting lineup for this match.”

Everyone sat up straight, eyes fixed on Zhu Ge. Naturally, they all hoped to be chosen for the starting eleven, eager to participate in the match. Opportunities to play were scarce, and each match was precious.

Zhu Ge announced, “Starting goalkeeper—Wang Xu!”

There was no suspense here; Wang Xu was the only one who resembled a goalkeeper in Class Ten’s team. His skills weren’t outstanding, or else the team wouldn’t concede goals every match.

Zhu Ge proceeded to name the rest of the starters, while Xu He watched anxiously. One by one, names were called, but Xu He’s was not among them.

As expected, Xu He was relegated to the bench. He wasn’t disappointed, just a little downcast. Not making the starting lineup was within his expectations. He took a deep breath and returned to the substitutes’ bench, awaiting his chance.

Meanwhile, he clenched his fists and silently vowed, “I will become a starter for this team—definitely!”

Xu He knew he needed to train harder.

Sitting on the bench, he watched his teammates walk onto the pitch, clapping to encourage them, hoping they would bring home a victory.

On the stands, the young women were chanting Lin Xuefeng’s name in unison, making Lin’s face flush with embarrassment.

Seeing Class Ten’s football team fielding almost all their starters, Class Nine’s players grew somber and highly alert. They dared not relax for a moment, knowing any lapse would ruin their chances.

Before the match, Class Nine’s players had spent a long time discussing tactics. Clearly, they took this match very seriously and didn’t wish to be eliminated.

Class Nine’s football team shouted together, “Go! Go! Go!”

Class Ten’s players noticed the determination in Class Nine’s eyes; Class Nine’s players weren’t cowed before the battle.

This match would not be easy.

Xu He shouted from the sidelines, “Come on, Class Ten! Victory for Class Ten!”

To his surprise, every time he shouted, the players from the joint team echoed his call, like a proper cheerleading squad.

It was evident that the joint team had pinned all their hopes on Class Ten’s football team.

Seeing Class Ten’s full-strength lineup, the joint team felt confident and looked forward to the match.

No team could defeat Class Ten’s football team.

Class Nine’s football team was doomed.

They hoped Class Nine would lose to Class Ten by two goals or more, so they could advance.

“Come on, Class Ten!” the joint team shouted in unison.

By now, Class Three’s players had quietly slipped away.

They had been eliminated, and had no desire to stay and watch the rest of the matches, which would only sting their hearts. They couldn’t bear it.

Xu He felt a pang of regret—he wouldn’t get to see Tang Jianke’s pained expression.

But Xu He had little time for such thoughts; his mind was fully consumed by the upcoming match, ready to work with his teammates to secure victory.

On the pitch, they had but one goal: victory.

The whistle blew.

The match began.

Class Nine kicked off, and, to everyone’s surprise, they attacked first. After several passes in the center circle, the ball was played back to their goalkeeper, Li Bo.

Facing the onrushing forwards Zhang Zhen and Yang Xin from Class Ten, Li Bo remained calm.

He took his time and launched a long pass, sending the ball directly to Zhao Bin, who was surging forward.

No one expected Class Nine to create such a golden opportunity right from the start.

Yes, it was a perfect chance.

Li Bo’s long pass looked desperate, but it was clearly part of their plan. His delivery was precise, flying straight to the front.

Zhao Bin, making a forward run, positioned himself at just the right spot—not offside, and about to outpace Class Ten’s entire defensive line. His movement was clever, the timing impeccable. This was a rehearsed play, not a stroke of luck.

The ball dropped, and Zhao Bin broke through Class Ten’s defense, chasing after it.

One-on-one!

Just a minute into the match, Class Nine—written off before the game—had a clear scoring chance, leaving everyone dumbfounded.

Zhao Bin reached the ball and charged into Class Ten’s penalty area.

Watching this, Xu He felt helpless. Class Ten’s goalkeeper really wasn’t up to standard—now, right from the start, they faced a one-on-one with the attacker. It was dangerous, almost hopeless.

Beside him, Deng Ning exclaimed, “Damn, we’re done for!”

All Class Ten supporters were shocked, fearing the worst.

Facing Zhao Bin with the ball, goalkeeper Wang Xu rushed out, diving at Zhao Bin. Zhao Bin deftly sidestepped him, leaving Wang Xu behind, and faced an open goal.

Without hesitation, Zhao Bin calmly slotted the ball home.

One-nil.

Just a minute in, Class Nine had taken the lead.

Xu He, sitting on the bench, was stunned.

So too were Zhu Ge and the others on the pitch. They were dumbstruck; they never expected to concede so quickly. It was beyond their imagination.

The joint team’s players on the sidelines were stunned as well. They had thought this match was a sure thing. Who could have guessed that the opening moments would signal danger for them, even threaten their chances altogether?

Their hearts were wounded, and anxiety grew.

It seemed their prospects were bleak.

This sudden goal upended Class Ten’s plans, but Zhu Ge and his teammates did not panic. Zhu Ge immediately said, “Alright, don’t worry about the goal; it was just a fluke. Pretend it never happened. Let’s start again, give our best, and we’ll win.”

Zhu Ge reassured his teammates, and himself as well.

Even after conceding first, he remained confident of victory.

He waved his hand, urging Class Ten’s players to restart, launch their attack, strive to equalize quickly, and then take the lead.

Xu He stood up, roaring from the sidelines, “Come on! Class Ten! Come on!”

Class Ten restarted, keeping tight control of the ball, steadily advancing, preparing to put pressure on Class Nine’s goal.