Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 78: Finding the Drive to Give Everything

At the end of the first half, Zhu Ge was bewildered. He hadn’t expected the match to unfold this way. Before the game, he anticipated a tough battle, but he had never imagined it would be this difficult. Now, they were trailing by two goals. The gap was staggering... Zhu Ge felt lost.

Mu Yang seemed better, his expression unchanged, as calm as ever. He patted Zhu Ge on the shoulder and led the way off the field.

The other players hung their heads. This scoreline had dealt them a heavy blow; before kickoff, none of them had foreseen the match turning out like this. They were dazed. The players of Class Ten's football team were shell-shocked.

Xu He managed to keep his composure as he left the field, at least not as numb as his teammates. His gaze was fixed on Yang Hao. In this match, Yang Hao was simply extraordinary. Xu He was acutely aware of the gulf between himself and Yang Hao—it was immense. But Xu He did not shrink back. His eyes burned with fierce determination as he stared at Yang Hao.

Even knowing the gap, he still wanted to compete against Yang Hao. He would not give up so easily; even if he lost, he wanted Yang Hao to pay a steep price.

"Yang Hao, the match has only just begun!" Xu He resolved silently.

"Xu, what are you thinking about?" Suddenly, Li Jie appeared at Xu He's side, asking.

Xu He glanced at Li Jie and noticed he, too, looked somewhat defeated. Clearly, the match had deeply affected Li Jie as well.

"I'm thinking about what we should do in the second half," Xu He replied.

Hearing this, Li Jie looked Xu He up and down.

"Don't look at me like that," Xu He said. "We're two goals down, but that doesn't mean we'll lose. Remember our warm-up match against Class Six? How did we play then? Did we lose in the end?"

Before Li Jie could respond, Zhu Ge’s eyes lit up at those words, and he said eagerly, "Exactly! In the warm-up, we were also trailing two-nil at halftime, but didn't we end up winning?"

Everyone perked up at Zhu Ge's words. He was right. In the warm-up, they had been two goals down at half-time against Class Six, but they hadn't lost heart; instead, they pressed forward, and through their effort and perseverance, won the match.

If they overcame such a situation before, why couldn’t they do it again?

Their fighting spirit rekindled, burning fiercely.

Zhu Ge, revitalized, gave Xu He an approving look. If not for Xu He, their morale wouldn’t have soared so quickly. Suddenly, Zhu Ge sensed a captain's potential in Xu He.

Mu Yang also cast Xu He an admiring, astonished glance.

Grateful, Zhu Ge looked at Xu He and said, "Comrades, this isn't the end of the world. We've been through a two-goal deficit before. This is nothing—it won't break us. We're the undying cockroaches!"

The Class Ten football team straightened up, their eyes sharpening.

Seizing the moment, Zhu Ge pressed on, "Yang Hao is certainly strong, and his performance today is outstanding. But remember, no matter how amazing he is, he's just one person. If we shut him down, Class Six poses no threat, and victory will still be ours."

This was the source of Zhu Ge's confidence. Yang Hao was a genius, his skill formidable, but his flaws were obvious—he was too solitary, distrustful of his teammates. Shut him down, and Class Six was no longer a concern.

As for how to stop Yang Hao, Zhu Ge had confidence. They had managed it in the warm-up match, though today would be tougher, given Yang Hao's even better form. They would have to give more to freeze him out.

Still, Zhu Ge remained confident.

He looked at Mu Yang, who nodded, "I'll drop back!"

Mu Yang was never talkative, but his attitude was clear.

Xu He stared at Mu Yang in admiration. It was obvious Mu Yang was ready to sacrifice his attacking prowess and opportunities to mark Yang Hao. That was no small price.

Xu He respected Mu Yang—he was a real man.

Zhu Ge gratefully patted Mu Yang's shoulder; he knew well what Mu Yang was giving up for the team. He felt deeply thankful. Yet, he also understood that if it were him, he’d make the same choice—for the team's sake.

When the team's interests came first, personal matters became less important.

Zhu Ge, full of heroic spirit, raised his fist high and shouted to his teammates, "Comrades, brothers, fellow warriors, when the final battle comes, I hope you'll give everything you have for this match, fight to the end, and do all you can so the team wins! Let's go, comrades—victory is just ahead!"

In that moment, Zhu Ge was a born orator.

Xu He gazed at Zhu Ge, eyes shining with admiration. He didn’t know how Zhu Ge came up with those words, but he knew they stirred his blood, igniting his spirit.

For the team's victory, we give our all!

In that instant, Xu He found direction and motivation—to fight for the team.

For the team's victory.

Xu He and the others raised their fists high, shouting, "For the team's victory, give everything!"

The players of Class Ten’s football team were suddenly full of vigor, a sharp contrast to their earlier state as they left the field.

On the stands, Zhuo Jun watched the transformation in disbelief. He never expected Class Ten’s team to recover so quickly.

His mouth agape, Zhuo Jun stared at Zhu Ge by the sidelines.

Zhu Ge was indeed impressive.

Class Ten was truly formidable. But fortunately, Class Six had blocked them from reaching the finals. He hoped Class Six would see it through and eliminate Class Ten by the end of the match.

Yes, Zhuo Jun felt Class Ten was the tougher opponent.

If he had to face one of these two teams, he’d choose Class Six.

Because, to him, against Class Six they faced just one tiger, but against Class Ten, it was a pack of hungry wolves.

Compared to wolves, a single tiger was easier to handle.

Zhuo Jun fixed his gaze on the field, thinking, "Yang Hao, come on! Your chance to defend the crown of the king of the forest has arrived—fight!"

Zhuo Jun was cheering for Yang Hao.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in Class Six’s camp was more relaxed.

Still, the players were gasping for breath; clearly, the first half had drained them. They were struggling to catch their breath, using the half-time break to recover.

Class Six's players had fought fiercely in the first half, exerting themselves fully and putting Class Ten under great pressure. But they had also depleted their own energy, which might pose risks in the second half.

Yang Hao, too, was panting; the first half had taken a toll.

He looked at his teammates and said, between breaths, "The second half will bring even greater challenges and threats. Be mentally prepared and ready for anything—understand?"

Yang Hao, still uneasy, reminded everyone.

Class Six's players nodded, indicating they understood.

Yang Hao continued, "In the second half, we don’t need to press as hard as we did before. We're already two goals ahead. As long as we don’t make mistakes and keep the goal safe, victory is ours."

Class Six's players nodded again, their eyes filled with longing for victory.

Yang Hao went on, "In the second half, we’ll move the defensive line back. I’ll be the sole attacker up front. Hold the line, and when you have a chance, send the ball straight to me—I’ll handle the offense. If I can score one more, the win is assured."

The players stared at Yang Hao with fervor; their trust and admiration were obvious. Suddenly, Class Six’s team felt secure, eager for the second half to begin.

They had found the key to victory.

Soon, both teams returned to the field. The second half was about to begin.

This final half was crucial for both sides.

Everyone was cautious.

Xu He stepped onto the pitch feeling an even greater weight on his shoulders. He fixed his gaze on Class Six’s goal, roaring inwardly, "I must score—we must win!"

He looked at Yang Hao again, sensing boundless determination in him. Xu He knew Yang Hao was now a brave, resolute warrior, but he himself felt no fear, no timidity.

Xu He cried in his heart, "Come on, Yang Hao, let’s have a good fight!"

Today, victory would belong to Class Ten.

The referee’s whistle blew, signaling the start of the second half. The final charge had begun; both teams’ warriors surged onto the battlefield, ready for the ultimate showdown.

With a thump, Mu Yang delivered a precise long pass straight to Xu He on the wing.

Xu He controlled the ball with ease, feinted past the incoming defender, and spotted Yang Xin charging rapidly into the penalty area.

Without hesitation, Xu He sent a curling pass toward Yang Xin’s head.

This time, Xu He's pass was exquisitely accurate.

A chance!

Class Ten's opportunity had arrived!

An excellent chance!

The students of Class Ten leapt to their feet, eyes shining as they watched Yang Xin in the penalty area.

Yang Xin stood out like a crane among chickens, towering above the other players. It was nearly impossible for anyone else to beat him to the ball.

Class Six was in danger.

Class Ten had found their best chance to score.