Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 83: A Truly One-Sided Overtime Match

Equalizer!

In the final moments, Class Ten's soccer team scored a dramatic equalizer against Class Six, with Xu He netting the crucial goal.

Xu He had already dazzled the crowd with a brace in this match. It was he who pulled Class Ten back from the brink of defeat.

All the players from Class Ten swarmed around Xu He, toppling him to the ground in a frenzy of celebration, praising him as their hero and savior. Without Xu He, they would have surely lost.

Zhu Ge jumped up and enveloped Xu He in a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Xu He! Without you, our Class Ten team would have been finished!" Zhu Ge was inwardly relieved; it was fortunate they had taken Xu He in. Otherwise, their team would never have had this chance for a dramatic finish.

Xu He smiled and replied, "Captain, don't forget, I'm part of Class Ten's team too."

It was only natural to contribute to the team's success.

Xu He truly hoped his team would win and attain honor.

Zhu Ge hugged Xu He tightly, his gratitude overflowing.

Zhang Zhen came over for a hug as well, never expecting Xu He to improve so rapidly. It seemed the time was coming for him to step aside and let new talent shine.

"Xu He, you're incredible!"

Xu He smiled modestly. "It's all thanks to your excellent coaching!"

Zhang Zhen shook his head slightly. "This is your own talent."

Li Jie came charging over, leaping onto Xu He's back and howling with excitement as if they'd already won, celebrating joyously.

Watching this, Zhuo Jun exclaimed, "Number 17 is truly formidable!"

By now, Zhuo Jun was already thinking about the final. Though the current match was still tied and heading into extra time, Zhuo Jun believed Class Ten was certain to win; Class Six had little hope left.

For one, Class Six’s attacking core, Yang Hao, was exhausted. Secondly, their morale had suffered a huge blow, and the players were on the verge of collapse. Third, Class Ten’s spirits were soaring. Nearly all odds were against Class Six.

Wasn’t the outcome of this match clear enough?

Yang Hao fixed his gaze on Xu He. In this match, his defeat was at Xu He’s hands.

Though Yang Hao hadn’t given up, he knew that Class Six’s only chance of victory now rested on luck.

He hoped his team could hold out through extra time and force a penalty shootout.

If it came to penalties, Class Six might still have a chance.

Class Ten, of course, wanted to avoid penalties, hoping to settle the match in extra time. With all the advantages on their side, they were confident of victory.

At the referee’s call, both teams returned to the pitch to begin extra time. The difference in their mental states was obvious; Class Six’s players looked deflated.

This was a golden opportunity for Class Ten.

However, their own stamina was also flagging. Still, they believed their fitness was far superior to Class Six’s and pressed on with their attacks.

Class Six had almost entirely fallen back to defend, even Yang Hao dropping deep.

Yang Hao was utterly spent and could no longer muster a counterattack. With no chance to break forward, he focused on defense. As long as they held out, they might reach penalties.

"Defend, brothers, hold on!" Yang Hao encouraged his teammates.

Yang Hao was totally invested in this match, showing none of his earlier nonchalance—only a burning desire for victory and a strong sense of responsibility.

Everyone could see that Yang Hao didn’t want to lose, and he gave everything for it.

Class Six’s players trusted him completely, following his instructions and defending with all their might in this final struggle.

Their unity and determination in defense were impressive.

Class Ten could feel the pressure, but it only fueled their attacks, making them even fiercer.

Mu Yang sent a long pass down the wing to Xu He, who crossed immediately. In the center, Yang Xin missed the header, but at the far post, Zhang Zhen controlled and shot, the ball whistling towards goal, only for Wang Yi to block it and the defenders to clear in panic.

Class Ten nearly broke through.

Three minutes later, they surged forward again. Xu He dribbled past several players on the wing and pulled back a low cross. Zhu Ge let the ball run on, and Mu Yang followed up with a powerful shot, the ball just missing the goal.

Class Ten’s attacks were relentless; Class Six’s goal was under constant threat.

Two minutes after that, Zhang Zhen lofted the ball into the box, where Yang Xin powered a header that deflected off defenders and sailed just over the crossbar, sparing Class Six.

A corner for Class Ten.

Zhu Ge crossed, Yang Xin headed, and the ball brushed the bar on its way out.

Class Ten's relentless attacks made the spectators tense, as if Class Six’s goal was about to fall at any moment.

Class Six's players were barely holding on.

Yet Class Ten only grew bolder, their morale undimmed.

The outcome of the match seemed almost inevitable now.

Still, Class Six stubbornly defended, convinced they could work a miracle and force penalties.

They were halfway to their goal.

The first half of extra time ended without a goal. Class Six, though in danger, managed to keep their net intact.

Yang Hao was satisfied, but too exhausted to say much. He was utterly spent.

His teammates weren't faring much better; their stamina was nearly depleted, but they clung on with sheer willpower, determined to create a miracle.

Actually, Class Ten’s players were also struggling, many barely able to run, relying on will and belief alone.

Neither side wanted to give up; both were determined to fight on.

After a ten-minute break at halftime in extra time, the players rose, returned to the field, and began the final battle.

The crowd applauded these indomitable warriors, inspired by their spirit. Many cheered spontaneously.

Both teams, encouraged by the support, gritted their teeth and pressed on.

The second half of extra time began with a surprise attack from Class Six—their last offensive of the match. Yang Hao poured all his remaining energy into this assault, dribbling past three defenders and unleashing a shot.

Alas, he was spent; his final effort lacked power and was easily caught by Wang Xu. Class Six’s supporters sighed in disappointment—they had come so close. Still, they applauded Yang Hao’s outstanding performance.

After that, Class Six had no more attacks, defending desperately.

Class Ten took control, launching attack after attack.

Xu He was highly active on the wing, signaling for the ball. Receiving a pinpoint long pass from Mu Yang, he suddenly sent a diagonal cross-field pass to Li Jie, who delivered a low cross into the box. Zhang Zhen slid in for a shot, sending the ball goalward.

Class Six's defenders threw themselves in the way, blocking the shot with their bodies and clearing for a corner.

They were truly giving their all.

A corner for Class Ten.

Xu He signaled for the ball, and Zhu Ge curled it into the center. Yang Xin leapt high for the header, but the ball flew just wide.

Indeed, Yang Xin’s heading technique was still lacking. If he were better in the air, the match might not have been so difficult. He had the height, but not yet the skill.

Xu He believed that after this match, Yang Xin would surely work hard on his headers, honing his greatest weapon.

Three minutes later, Class Ten pressed forward again.

This time, Mu Yang dribbled into Class Six’s half and charged into the box, throwing the defense into chaos. Two defenders rushed him, leaving gaps elsewhere.

Instead of passing immediately, Mu Yang quickly shifted sideways, drawing a third defender. Alone, he drew three men, leaving huge holes in the defense.

Yang Hao shouted warnings in alarm, but it was too late.

The defenders, playing with reckless abandon, failed to notice the danger.

Mu Yang seized the opportunity and played a quick pass across to Xu He.

Only one defender remained near Xu He, and he was some distance away—an ideal chance to shoot.

Was it to be the winning goal?

All the Class Ten students leapt up, eyes locked on Xu He.

Xu He swung his leg—but instead of shooting, he quickly played the ball across the goal. He had sensed the defender sliding in and knew if he delayed, the chance would be lost. He sent the ball to the far post.

There, Zhang Zhen was completely unmarked.

The goalkeeper, Wang Yi, had moved over to cover Xu He, leaving the far post wide open.

Zhang Zhen met the ball just over two meters from goal, with nothing but open net before him. The outcome was obvious.

All of Class Six closed their eyes in despair.

Zhang Zhen calmly tapped the ball in. Four to three. Class Ten had taken the lead in extra time, seizing victory.

After this goal, Class Six completely gave up.

In the dying moments, Zhang Zhen met a headed flick-on from Yang Xin and swept it home, notching his own brace. In the end, Class Ten defeated Class Six five to three after extra time, earning a place in the final of the Junior One Soccer League.