Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 71: The Mystique of Class Sixteen’s Soccer Team

The most threatening attacks in this match came from the United Football Team of Class 58, who also had more opportunities. This was in line with everyone's expectations, and they believed the United Football Team of Class 58 had a greater chance of winning.

Li Jie turned to Xu He and asked, “Do you still favor the Football Team of Class 16?”

Everyone once again looked at Xu He.

Xu He ignored their gazes and replied calmly, “Of course. I still believe in the Football Team of Class 16. It’s not stubbornness, but rather a feeling in my heart. And that feeling is growing stronger—they are bound to win.”

Everyone was somewhat speechless. Xu He seemed a bit mystical.

Zhu Ge cast Xu He a deep look, saying nothing.

Seeing that no one believed him, and even regarded him with strange looks, Xu He was compelled to explain, “Don’t forget, during the group stage, the Football Team of Class 16 performed almost identically to this match. But they always managed to score in the end, either clinching victory or equalizing with their opponents. That speaks volumes.”

Everyone was stunned by Xu He’s words.

He had a point; there was no flaw in his reasoning.

The Football Team of Class 16 had indeed played this way before.

But could luck always favor the same team?

Clearly, that was impossible.

They all shook their heads, disagreeing with Xu He. They were convinced the Football Team of Class 16’s luck would not hold out this time.

Everyone continued to favor the United Football Team of Class 58.

Seeing that no one believed him, Xu He said no more. Even he harbored doubts, but the feeling in his heart was powerful—the Football Team of Class 16 might well win.

The first half of extra time began, and both sides played cautiously.

Having made it this far, no one wanted to lose unexpectedly. Everyone hoped to drag the match into a penalty shootout and seize victory there.

But soon, the United Football Team of Class 58 noticed something odd about the Football Team of Class 16.

The players of Class 16 seemed to be having stamina issues—their bodies and speed lagged behind, and their defensive intensity had dropped.

The players of Class 58 rejoiced—their chance had come.

Yuan Fang immediately signaled his teammates to intensify their attack—they were to launch their final charge.

With such an opportunity before them, they had to seize it.

Soon, the United Football Team of Class 58 unleashed a ferocious attack. Yuan Fang led his teammates past the halfway line in an all-out offensive, instantly suppressing the Football Team of Class 16.

Watching this, Zhu Ge and the others nodded slightly—it was just as they had anticipated.

Now that Class 58 was pushing hard, Class 16 could barely resist; the outcome of the match seemed decided at this point.

Zhu Ge glanced at Xu He, then looked back onto the field.

Yuan Fang received a pass from the midfield, feigned a shot, then crossed the ball to the striker. The striker swung his leg and fired—the ball whistled toward the goal of Class 16.

Danger.

With a thud, Zhuo Jun appeared just in time, sliding in with one leg to block the ball out of bounds.

A beautiful defense.

Xu He applauded Zhuo Jun; his defensive awareness and sense of positioning were outstanding, and his ability to act was impressive, truly remarkable.

But Zhuo Jun alone seemed a bit outnumbered.

Yuan Fang took the corner, and the ball flew swiftly into the penalty area of Class 16. In the box, Liu Peng of Class 58 jumped high and headed toward goal—the ball rocketed toward the net like a cannonball.

With a clang, the ball smashed into the goalpost and bounced out of bounds.

Once again, the goalpost saved Class 16.

Liu Peng’s heading ability was extraordinary; the speed of that last attempt rivaled a powerful shot, truly formidable.

Unfortunately, their luck was lacking, just a little short.

Zhu Ge and the others commented, “See, the United Football Team of Class 58 now controls the game. If they keep playing like this, scoring is only a matter of time.”

After speaking, they looked at Xu He.

Xu He replied calmly, “Don’t you notice? The Football Team of Class 16 is still very lucky in this match. Perhaps luck will carry them into the final.”

Zhu Ge and the others' faces stiffened.

Indeed, Class 16’s luck was extraordinary; the two most threatening shots from Class 58 had both been stopped by the post. It seemed Class 58 simply couldn’t break through the defense of Class 16 today.

Zhu Ge was stunned for a long while before saying, “Xu He, is this what you mean by the mysterious aura of Class 16?”

Everyone looked at Xu He, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Xu He shook his head with a wry smile, “Actually, it isn’t.”

Although Xu He wasn’t sure exactly what the mysterious aura around Class 16 was, he knew it wasn’t just luck.

The players of Class 58, though disappointed, hadn’t lost hope. They continued to attack relentlessly, seeing their chance to win. They pressed forward with ferocity.

The players of Class 58 surged like a tide toward the penalty area of Class 16. Zhuo Jun was extremely busy, but not flustered, showing remarkable composure and making brilliant defensive plays, repeatedly intercepting shots.

Gradually, the players of Class 58 recognized Zhuo Jun’s strength.

Zhu Ge sighed, “Zhuo Jun is impressive.”

The first half of extra time ended with neither side scoring; the score remained zero to zero. The match seemed destined for a penalty shootout.

After a brief rest, both teams returned to the pitch. The players’ stamina was nearly exhausted. The second half of extra time would likely not be as intense as the first, and Class 58’s opportunities would be fewer.

In truth, it was a pity that Class 58 didn’t score in the first half of extra time—it was their golden opportunity, but they failed to capitalize.

Now, they dared not attack so recklessly in the second half; they had to mind their defense, not wanting to concede and lose at this stage.

Thus, both sides played more cautiously in the second half of extra time.

Class 58 did restrain themselves somewhat, but they still felt unwilling, continuing their offensive and besieging Class 16, hoping to settle the match in extra time.

Yuan Fang, at the edge of the penalty area, turned and fired a long-range shot—the ball whistled out, but Zhuo Jun blocked it. The ball bounced to the flank at Song Xiang’s feet, who tried to launch a counterattack, but the ball was poked out of bounds.

Class 16 struggled to mount a counterattack.

Because Class 58 had studied Class 16’s previous matches, they found that nearly all counterattacks started with Song Xiang, so their defense against him was tight, leaving him no real chances.

Zhu Ge remarked, “Well, Class 58 really put in the effort—they truly deserve to win this match.”

Xu He shook his head slightly, still unconvinced.

Class 16 took the throw-in, but it was quickly intercepted. On the flank, Yuan Fang crossed, Liu Peng jumped high in the middle for a header, but under Zhuo Jun’s pressure, he headed the ball wide.

Class 58 missed another good chance.

After landing, Liu Peng stared intently at Zhuo Jun. That guy had made it tough for him all day—even against his best headers, Zhuo Jun’s defense was solid, causing him much trouble.

Liu Peng remembered Zhuo Jun.

But the match wasn’t over; both teams fought on, not giving up. However, the game truly seemed to be heading toward a penalty shootout, as time was running out.

Li Jie sighed, “Class 58 didn’t seize their chances—they had so many opportunities to win. Too bad their luck wasn’t great today, and their performance lacked something. It’s a pity. Now it all comes down to penalties.”

The other players nodded in agreement.

Xu He also nodded slightly, believing the match would be decided by penalties.

But just then, the situation on the pitch changed dramatically.

Zhuo Jun intercepted the ball, which rolled to Song Xiang on the flank. Song Xiang intended a big switch, but the ball struck the back of Class 58’s defender and deflected out for a corner.

At that moment, Class 58 handed Class 16 a corner opportunity.

And, unexpectedly, Song Xiang curled the ball toward the far post, and everyone watched, stunned, as Zhuo Jun outjumped Liu Peng and headed the ball toward goal.

The ball whistled straight at Class 58’s net.

Class 58’s goalkeeper had barely been tested all match, hardly making a save. His body was cold, and though he dove immediately, giving his all, he still couldn’t stop the ball.

The ball flew straight into the net behind him.

It was a goal.

The stadium fell silent.

All the players of Class 10 turned in unison to look at Xu He, their eyes filled with shock.

Xu He’s mouth hung open, incredulous.

He hadn’t expected the match to unfold this way—Class 16 had once again performed a miracle, winning and advancing straight to the final. It was astonishing.

Xu He was dumbfounded.

Was this the mysterious aura surrounding Class 16?

The players of Class 58 were equally stunned, unable to believe what had happened. They were deeply shaken, but refused to give up. When the match resumed, they attacked furiously, desperate to equalize. But no matter how hard they tried, Zhuo Jun intercepted every attempt, and they never threatened Class 16’s goal again.

In the end, Class 16 scored a decisive goal in extra time, eliminating Class 58 and advancing miraculously to the final of the junior league.

Dark horse!

A dazzling, jet-black dark horse!