Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 75: As Expected, Genius Is Truly Genius!

The match was about to begin, but Lin Xuefeng still hadn’t returned.

Zhu Ge’s expression was rather grim.

Lin Xuefeng’s absence would have a significant impact on their Class Ten football team; this game would be even more challenging than he’d anticipated. They would have to work even harder to make up for it.

Offensively, their strength would be greatly diminished, making it much harder to secure victory.

With a sigh, Zhu Ge said, “Lin Xuefeng can't make it today, so we’ll have to give even more. I hope everyone stays focused. Our only goal for this match is victory.”

Yes, even without Lin Xuefeng, Zhu Ge and his team were still aiming for nothing but victory.

Xu He and the others nodded in acknowledgment.

Zhu Ge then announced the starting lineup for today, and Xu He’s name was among them.

It was only now, right before the match, that Zhu Ge revealed the starting players; he hadn’t announced it beforehand.

Xu He wondered, if Lin Xuefeng hadn’t suddenly been called away, would he still be in the starting lineup?

“All right, everyone get ready to take the field,” Zhu Ge said.

As captain, Zhu Ge naturally stood at the front of the line, ready to lead his team onto the stage of the junior league semifinals, reminding his teammates to stay alert.

Hearing the call, Xu He took a deep breath to calm his excitement.

At the referee’s signal, both teams entered the pitch, and the semifinal was about to commence.

Xu He glanced up at the stands, noticing the large crowd, and felt a thrill of excitement.

Clenching his fists, Xu He silently encouraged himself: “Xu He, you must give your best performance.”

Then, he followed closely behind Li Jie onto the field.

In the stands, the students from Class Ten were even singing the national anthem of Huaxia, cheering for their team and urging them to fight bravely for victory.

Listening to the anthem, Xu He felt as if he were representing the national team itself.

It was a wonderful feeling.

At the same time, it brought with it a sense of responsibility.

After a brief pre-match ceremony, Zhu Ge gathered the team, had them form a circle, and said, “Push aside any other thoughts. The match is about to begin, and I want you all to give everything you have. Do you understand?”

Xu He took the lead, shouting, “Understood!”

Zhu Ge glanced at Xu He, then signaled to the whole team, shouting, “Class Ten Football Team—”

The players, including Xu He, roared in unison: “Victory! Victory! Victory!”

Class Ten’s team exuded an imposing spirit.

Of course, on the other side, Class Six’s team was no less spirited.

Their captain, Yang Hao, was also rousing his teammates. This match was just as important to them—they had no intention of losing.

They were determined to battle Class Ten for the win.

Yang Hao looked at his teammates and said, “Our opponents are strong, and many expect them to win. But let me tell you, our Class Six team is just as strong. We got here by our own strength, not luck. If we give our all today, victory can be ours as well!”

The Class Six players nodded in agreement.

Yang Hao continued, “Let’s go, everyone. Advance towards victory!”

The Class Six players also shouted in unison: “Advance! Advance! Advance!”

The referee called both captains over for a quick discussion and the coin toss—the match was truly about to begin.

In the stands, fans of both sides were tense and excited, eager for the match to start.

Xu He strode toward the center circle, planting himself with hands on hips, waiting for kickoff.

Today, Class Ten was playing a 3-4-3 formation, with Yang Xin, Zhang Zhen, and Xu He forming the attacking trio.

Seeing the lineup, the Class Six players immediately assumed Class Ten intended to go on the attack, matching them blow for blow.

The formation was aggressively offensive.

Yang Hao raised his brows; this match was going to be interesting, but far from being intimidated, he was filled with fighting spirit.

Come, let me see just how formidable you are.

The referee’s whistle blew—the match began.

Class Ten took the opening kick. Zhu Ge passed the ball backfield, and Zhong Haokun received it and immediately played it wide to the advancing full-back Li Jie. As soon as Li Jie got the ball, a defender rushed at him, pressing hard.

That was Class Six’s style: relentless pressing and, once they won the ball, a direct pass to Yang Hao to let him attack on his own.

Facing the fierce press, Li Jie deftly cut the ball away from his marker and played a diagonal pass to Mu Yang in midfield.

Mu Yang was calm, using his body to shield the ball as a defender closed in, drawing a second opponent before knocking the ball across to Zhu Ge in the center.

Zhu Ge received the ball and instantly spotted the diagonal run from Zhang Zhen.

With a precise through pass, the ball skimmed the grass, slicing through the defense.

The crowd was thrilled.

The ball rolled cleanly between two Class Six defenders, arriving perfectly in front of the advancing Zhang Zhen.

A beautiful pass.

Xu He’s heart leapt—seeing the defenders’ focus shift to Zhang Zhen, he darted forward, surging into the space behind the full-back and straight into the penalty area.

A chance!

Xu He found himself in open space—a golden opportunity.

He raised his hand, signaling to Zhang Zhen to pass. But Zhang Zhen, after controlling the ball, unleashed a powerful shot. The ball whistled just wide of the post and out for a goal kick.

Zhang Zhen covered his face in regret.

It was a good chance.

And his shot was executed well—the angle was tight. If it had been just slightly more inside, it would have gone in.

Xu He also felt it was a pity.

It truly was unfortunate.

Whether Zhang Zhen shot himself or passed for Xu He to shoot, either was a good choice. Zhang Zhen’s decision to shoot was understandable; any striker would have tried from that position.

Zhang Zhen’s choice was not wrong.

The team’s atmosphere remained positive.

Zhu Ge signaled for everyone to fall back and defend, wary of a Class Six counterattack.

It had been a promising attack, and although they hadn’t scored, Zhu Ge and the team were pleased. They believed that if they kept playing this way, a goal would come sooner or later.

Defense—stay alert defensively.

Class Ten set up their defensive formation to meet Class Six’s attack.

Of course, all eyes were on Yang Hao. True to form, Yang Hao played his own game, relying on individual brilliance. As soon as his teammates crossed the halfway line, they fed him the ball, leaving him to orchestrate the attack alone.

The other players made runs to draw away defenders, creating space for Yang Hao.

But by now, Class Ten was familiar with Class Six’s tactics and style; they weren’t fooled by decoy runs, keeping their full attention on Yang Hao.

Even so, Yang Hao pressed on fearlessly, taking on defenders single-handedly.

In this, Xu He couldn’t help but admire Yang Hao. Such confidence! Against thousands, he would still go forward—truly impressive.

And Yang Hao had the skill to back it up.

He wasn’t reckless, either; he chose his battles, attacking from wherever Class Ten’s defense was weakest, away from Mu Yang, Zhong Haokun, and Li Jie.

Honestly, Class Ten’s other defenders had no answer for Yang Hao; they simply couldn’t stop him. No wonder Mu Yang and Zhu Ge dropped more men back to help reinforce the defense.

Yang Hao weaved through defenders like a slippery eel, leaving them helpless.

His footwork was superb—close control, perfect distance between ball and foot, always within his best control range, as if the ball was glued to his feet.

Class Ten’s defenders thought they had a chance to tackle, stretching out their legs, but just as they got close, Yang Hao would poke the ball away, slipping past them in an instant.

In a tight space, Yang Hao changed direction repeatedly, beating three men and charging directly into the penalty area.

Now he stood face-to-face with Class Ten’s goalkeeper.

The crowd gasped in shock.

Even Zhuo Jun in the stands couldn’t help but cry out—Yang Hao was simply too good; who could possibly stop him?

Just as Yang Hao faced the goalkeeper, Zhong Haokun slid in from behind, executing a lightning-fast tackle that sent the ball out for a corner.

Zhong Haokun’s slide was powerful, almost whistling through the air.

Brilliant—an outstanding defensive play.

Yang Hao turned to stare intently at Zhong Haokun, clearly surprised—he hadn’t expected such a sudden sliding tackle, which showed excellent defensive awareness and a fierce, intimidating presence.

Yang Hao gave Zhong Haokun a second look, then headed to take the corner.

It had been a strong chance for Yang Hao, with a high probability of scoring, but Zhong Haokun’s intervention had spoiled it.

Still, Yang Hao said nothing; he was confident that more opportunities would come.

At the corner, Yang Hao glanced at the penalty area, then curled the ball toward the far post of Class Ten’s goal.

Once again, he went for a direct shot from the corner.

Genius truly does think differently—no one expected that, least of all Wang Xu, Class Ten’s goalkeeper, who was guarding the near post. When the ball swung out, he even rushed forward, preparing to leap and claim it.

But when the ball suddenly bent toward goal, a chill ran down his spine.

Wang Xu scrambled backward, his steps frantic.

Danger!