Football: The strongest post-2000s Chapter 020

Li Qing took in every word of the conversation between Glenn McAuley and Adekanye. If it had been before completing the second stage of the [Goal] mission, he might have hesitated, but it was different now. The system had rewarded him with 50 gold coins, more than enough to spend 10 gold coins on two [Impenetrable Wall Cards].

Impenetrable Wall Card: After use, all defensive stats increase to 80 for 30 seconds.

Before the match restarted, Li Qing, with a thought, not only bought two Impenetrable Wall Cards from the shop but also added all 5 bonus ability points to Strength, bringing its value to 55.

As soon as the ability points were added, he felt a gentle current rapidly flow through his limbs and bones, incredibly comfortable. After about three seconds, he felt his muscle strength become even greater.

This feeling was truly wonderful!

The Blue team had taken the lead with Li Qing’s goal. Every player on the Fluorescent Vest team, symbolizing the main squad, was unhappy because their individual and overall strength was clearly superior to the Blue Vest team. In this situation, they were all determined to equalize the score in the upcoming attack.

The National Youth Super League was set to kick off in Kirkby this weekend. If their performance in the group stage was poor, even absolute key players could be moved out of the starting lineup.

Through two or three passes, the ball came to the attacking left flank, at Adekanye’s feet. Left-back George Johnston was pushing forward along the touchline.

Li Qing was the Blue team’s right winger, directly matching up against Adekanye. Corey Whelan, wary of George Johnston’s overlapping runs, felt somewhat helpless.

Defensive midfielder Herbie White had intended to help Li Qing double-team Adekanye, who had excellent breakthrough ability, but Coyle’s movement forced him to prioritize positional defense.

In other words, in the rapidly changing course of the match, only Li Qing was defending Adekanye.

Li Qing had already learned about Adekanye’s characteristics from Brewster.

He spent his childhood at Ajax, a famous star-making factory in Europe. At the age of twelve, he joined La Masia, but because this transfer was deemed illegal by FIFA, FIFA prohibited him from playing for Barcelona. However, this did not affect him receiving advanced football training at La Masia for three years, until he joined Kirkby early last year.

His technical characteristics were distinct: fast speed, strong explosiveness, and a solid foundation in breakthroughs and cutting inside for shots. Choosing to play for the Dutch youth national team, he was called the “new Robben” by the Dutch media.

Adekanye showed a confident smile, performing continuous step-overs two meters from Li Qing, trying to trick Li Qing into making the first defensive move.

Unfortunately, Li Qing remained unmoved. Adekanye was not discouraged. He glanced at the slender Li Qing and thought, “Let me show you my lightning-fast breakthrough speed!”

“Impenetrable Wall Card! Use!”

Li Qing silently chanted in his mind.

In a flash, Adekanye gently poked the ball to the left with the outside of his left foot, opening up a breakthrough angle, then sharply pushed the ball towards the byline with the inside of his left instep.

Using the Impenetrable Wall Card, Li Qing felt as if he had extremely rich defensive experience. From Adekanye’s preliminary movements, he could easily judge the opponent’s breakthrough choice.

He reacted almost at the instant Adekanye made his first touch with his left foot, pushing off forcefully with his left foot. The powerful explosiveness caused his body to shift a small step to the right, narrowing the distance with Adekanye. Then, as Adekanye pushed the ball forward with the inside of his foot, he stretched out his right foot, blocking the ball he had just pushed out.

Adekanye had intended to make a supremely stylish acceleration breakthrough along the touchline, but he was intercepted by Li Qing on the spot, while he himself continued forward due to inertia.

Li Qing, having won the ball, did not turn back to mock Adekanye or linger. He pushed the ball forward with the arch of his right foot!

From defense to attack!

Accelerate!

The Fluorescent team’s left-back, George Johnston, had pushed forward tactically, leaving a very large space for Li Qing to advance into. The center-back and captain, Conor Masterson, was somewhat at a loss, unsure whether to press or cut off the breakthrough direction.

By the time he realized what was happening, Li Qing had already dribbled past the halfway line. Brewster’s central run attracted the other center-back, Anthony Glennon, meaning Liverpool U 18 captain Conor Masterson had to defend Li Qing alone.

Neil Critchley and his assistant, Mike Garrity, on the coaching bench, were intently watching Li Qing dribble at high speed, instinctively exclaiming, “So fast!”

Li Qing, dribbling at high speed, looked up at Brewster, who was following in the center, then swung his left foot, feigning a pass to Brewster, who was running from the center to the left flank.

“Pass?”

Neil Critchley raised an eyebrow.

No!

Masterson’s body moved a small half-step towards the center with Li Qing’s movement to cut off the passing lane, but Li Qing’s lifted left foot did not pass. Instead, using the agility of his ankle, he sharply pulled the ball to the right front with the inside of his left instep.

Fake pass, real cut!

Can’t let him past!

As captain and the only remaining defensive player, Masterson pushed off with his right foot, and his left foot, carried by his momentum and the massive counterforce, kicked towards Li Qing, who had already broken through.

Stretching out a leg to kick someone with all one’s might was a last resort for a defender. Li Qing was already prepared. His run after the cut was angled outwards, meaning he was further away from Masterson!

Masterson kicked nothing but air, only able to watch as Li Qing sprinted towards the goal like lightning.

Anthony Glennon had been drawn to the left flank by Brewster, and it was too late for him to cover the space left behind by Captain Masterson.

Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara realized he had to rely on himself. Without hesitation, he chose to rush out of his goal!

Li Qing’s vision was not very wide, but he could see the goalkeeper rushing out of the penalty area. He made a decisive choice, using the inside of his left instep to scoop the ball from underneath. The ball quickly soared into the air. Kamil Grabara, who had just rushed to the edge of the big penalty area, stopped abruptly in frustration, looking up at the ball flying towards the empty net. He chased until it hit the snow-white netting, shaking his head in annoyance…