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Chapter 211 We Do Not Accept

After passing the ball to Wang Lie, Miguel Ribeiro did not stop but continued to charge forward.

It seems they're going to coordinate a two-on-one collision with Wang Lie.

But he didn't actually want Wang Lie to pass the ball to him.

He did this simply to draw the defender away, creating more space and time for Wang Lie.

However, the Clayton Athletic defenders completely ignored his forward run. As he passed the ball, the Clayton Athletic players who had rushed over to surround him immediately turned to Wang Lie.

There was no hesitation.

These Clayton Athletic players know perfectly well who truly poses a significant threat to them.

Although Miguel Ribeiro is an absolute key player and a well-known figure at Serie A giants AC Milan, when he dribbles towards the penalty area, three players from Clayton Athletic will immediately rush up to surround him.

However, if we must compare him to Wang Lie, then Ribeiro is simply not comparable.

Ribeiro knew in his heart that there was a huge gap between him and Wang Lie, but he still rushed forward, actually hoping for the best—what if? What if I take one or two of them away?
But after he rushed over, he looked back and saw that not a single Clayton Sports player had followed him.

He knew he had failed...

He had to slam on the brakes, because if he continued forward, he would be in an offside position. Once Wang was surrounded by Clayton Athletic, he wouldn't even be able to pass the ball to himself.

He slammed on the brakes and turned to look for Wang Lie.

He saw Viktor, who had just pounced on him, suddenly turn back, with Wang Lie behind him!
Meanwhile, Zimmer and Balaski are also accelerating.

There's also Latkovic, a center-back who's always positioned in the middle.

Wang Lie is now surrounded!
Ribeiro only had time to shout once: "Your Majesty!"

At the same time, make a gesture indicating that you want the ball.

It was too late. His view of Wang Lie was suddenly blocked by a dark shadow, and he could no longer see Wang Lie at all—the route between him and Wang Lie had been cut off by Balaski.

All he could see was Wang Lie's raised right leg...

Is Wang going to shoot directly?!
That's an option, but it's a bit rushed and not a great opportunity... Of course, that's just my opinion. Maybe Wang thinks he can score?

Ribeiro stared wide-eyed at Wang Lie's feet.

After Wang Lie swung his right foot down, he didn't shoot, but gently flicked the ball towards the middle, and the ball went right through the legs of Clayton Athletic's center-back, Ratkovic!

At the same time, he turned and slashed horizontally!
Just as he kicked out, Kevin Zimmer's hand was almost on his shoulder... just a hair's breadth away!

Seeing Wang Lie successfully break through the encirclement, Ribeiro couldn't wait to raise his arm.

Based on his understanding of "God", the outcome of this goal was already a foregone conclusion!

Sure enough, after a muffled thud like a drumbeat, the football went into the net!
The boos that still filled Ashton Road Stadium had subsided considerably in an instant, as if they had been shattered by Wang Lie's powerful and devastating shot!
"Ahhhhh!" Ribeiro raised his arms and rushed towards Wang Lie, grabbing him in a hug.

However, Wang Lie, who was being held, struggled violently, seemingly trying to break free.

Just as Ribeiro sensed something was wrong, he saw Vitini rushing toward the goal.

He immediately realized what was wrong—what was there to celebrate at this point? Of course, they should hurry up and pick up the ball so Clayton Sports could kick off; they were still down by a goal!
He quickly released Wang Lie.

Wang Lie patted him on the head first, then put his arm around his shoulder, and beckoned to Vitini, who had already picked up the football, with his other hand.

Then he put his arm around Ribeiro and turned to run towards the center circle.

※※※

"Wang Lie scores twice!! 2-3! Tyne is still one goal behind! Only one goal behind! There are still..."

In the studio behind, Luo Jin quickly glanced at the match time in the upper right corner of the screen in front of him:
71:42
"...Twenty minutes! Twenty minutes left, not counting stoppage time! We're only down by one goal!"

He didn't say the rest of his words because he didn't want to tarnish Wang Lie's reputation.

But he couldn't help but give a hint.

Twenty minutes in, trailing by only one goal, with Wang Lie's current red-hot form, could he score another goal?
Is it even possible to tie the score after playing with one less player for so long?!
He only dared to think about it in his heart, but dared not say it out loud.

New fan Tang Lin didn't have as many inner monologues as Luo Jin, because he was unfamiliar with the many real-life examples of bad sportsmanship in football history.

He knew that the atmosphere had been built up to this point, so why should he accept the result of giving his all only to ultimately lose?
He didn't know if Mr. Berg and the others in the stands at Ashton Road Stadium could accept it at this moment, after all, they were already used to Tyne's defeat.

But this "new fan" would never accept it.

※※※

"Aaaaaah! Just one more! Just one more! Just one more and we'll be able to catch up with Clayton Athletic!!"

In the away fans' stands, Robbie Dixie was hysterically shouting and clenching his fist.

Not only him, but the fans of Tyne who came with him were also very excited.

"Unbelievable! I can't believe it! I can't believe it... We were down a man and two goals behind, yet we still managed to come back to this... My God!"

"Actually, I think the result isn't important anymore, given how the game went. What's important is that our team didn't give up when facing difficulties. I believe that as long as we have this spirit, even if we lose this game, we will win many more games in the future. So I'm very satisfied..."

Someone said so.

Upon hearing this, Dixie turned and glared at the man, saying, "No! I can't accept this! Our players need to be rewarded! Their hard work deserves a better result!"

They weren't very familiar with each other, and Dixie's appearance seemed to frighten the other.

So Jon Berg quickly apologized on behalf of his old friend: "Sorry, my friend was a bit blunt..."

The other player realized that everyone was thinking about their own team, so he waved his hand and said, "It's okay. Of course, I'd be happy if we could avoid losing. But you know, in the past... I really don't dare to be too optimistic... And didn't we lose the game here last season?"

“That was before…” Dixie seemed to want to argue, but Berg pulled him back.

The other party smiled and said, "Of course, I would be very happy if there is a good outcome."

What ended their argument was a song.

Someone started singing first, and upon hearing it, they immediately put aside their disagreements and joined in singing:

"...Tyne, Tyne, the ever-flowing Tyne...and the towering chimneys, and the flickering fires in the furnaces...this is my hometown, Newcastle—! Newcastle on the banks of the Tyne—!"

When the storm of boos created by Clayton Athletic fans was torn apart by Wang Lie's powerful shot, they had to seize this opportunity to make their voices heard and let their team know that the fans were always with them and that the twelve players on and off the field were fighting side by side!
※※※

Rayan Kochea's expression turned serious when he heard the chants of the Tyne fans.

Even when Wang Lie scored his first goal in the 13th minute of the second half, he remained completely calm.

Although then and now, his team is only one goal ahead of Tyne.

However, the same lead brought him completely opposite feelings at different times.

He could now sense the danger lurking in the air.

It was like a strange, peculiar odor suddenly appearing in the air that shouldn't normally be there. He couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from or what it was, but he instinctively felt uncomfortable and sensed danger.

It's the kind of danger where "something very important has been overlooked"...

Logically, they could win even with a 3-2 score. For example, they ultimately defeated Tyne 3-2 last season.

But facing this current Tyne team, a strong thought deep within Kochea was telling him:
A one-goal lead isn't enough to beat Tyne...

So when Tyne's players picked up the ball from the goal and ran back to the center circle, he strode to the sidelines and yelled at team captain Kevin Zimmer, "Kevin! Kevin!! Hey!"

When Zimmer heard the shout and turned around, he waved to Zimmer, signaling him to come over.

Zimmer jogged to the sidelines, where Kochea told him, "Pass the ball forward more in the attacking third, speed up the pace, and put more pressure on them! Their stamina is almost depleted; if we put enough pressure on them, they'll collapse!"

Zimmer nodded to indicate that he understood.

"Go."

Zimmer turned and went back onto the field to relay the coach's latest instructions to his teammates.

After conveying the message, he added a few more words:
"This Tyne team is different from the Tyne team we beat at home last season, guys. Cheer up!" He then stood in his position, hands on his hips, waiting for the kickoff, while looking at the Tyne players on the other side.

He didn't focus on the main character, but instead looked at the various Tyne players.

This team is indeed different from the one from last season. The lineup has changed a lot, with changes in all three lines: front, midfield, and defense, and the midfield has been completely replaced.

But he said that the "difference" he referred to was not this.

After playing for almost forty minutes with one less player, the players showed obvious signs of fatigue on their faces, and their expressions were dull and lifeless due to lack of oxygen.

On those faces, there was one thing that stood in stark contrast to their dullness: their bright, shining eyes.

From his vantage point, those bright spots were the only thing he could clearly see on the faces of the Tyne players.

He completely agreed with the coach's adjustments; a one-goal lead was not secure or sufficient against this opponent.

※※※

As the referee blew his whistle, the ripples caused by Wang Lie's goal gradually subsided on the surface, but they seeped into the depths of everyone's hearts.

Whether it was the Clayton Sports fans in the stands or Tang Lin watching on TV, everyone was hoping that Tyne could take advantage of the high morale and score again.

Clayton Sports fans had long since recovered from the shock and disappointment of conceding the goal and were now cheering for their team, encouraging them to continue attacking and try to score another goal.

They simply didn't believe that Tyne could come back when Clayton Athletic took a two-goal lead for the third time!

"The game has entered the final battle! There are still twenty minutes left in regular time, and including injury time, it should be about twenty-five or twenty-six minutes. To be honest, that's not a short time, and it seems like Tyne still has time... but I have to say, I'm afraid time is not on Tyne's side."

Commentator Connor Cowley said.

"Because they were down to ten men, Tyne's players had to run much more to stop the overall strength of Clayton, which led to greater physical exertion than in a normal match. I really don't know if they can keep going for that long..."

Conor Cowley, as an experienced professional football commentator, makes a lot of sense.

Wang Lie's two goals were both created by the tireless running and pressing of the Tyne players.

If they want to score a third goal, they have to do the same.

Clayton Sports is a team that excels at possession-based football, and their possession rate can sometimes reach over 80% in a single match.

When the ball is on their side, they can use passing to move the opposing players around, keeping them constantly on the move.

Playing against Clayton naturally requires more physical exertion than playing against other opponents.

Now that Tyne is down to ten men, he will have to put in more effort than usual if he wants to score and equalize.

But do they still have fuel in their tanks?
※※※

Ulysses Victor ran towards the ball to receive it, and Isara immediately followed.

But when the ball rolled to Victor's feet, he let it slip behind him and turned around quickly!
Because of the close proximity, Isara's view was blocked by Victor, and he didn't see the ball at all.

So it wasn't until he noticed Victor turning around that he realized the ball was no longer in front of him; it was most likely behind him, since Victor was already turning around...

But if I turn around at this moment, it will be too late. He will let Victor go in front of the penalty area, which is a very dangerous outcome!

Without hesitation, Isara reached out and grabbed Victor's jersey tightly.

Worried that one hand wasn't enough, he turned around and grabbed Viktor's jersey with both hands, making it impossible for him to move forward!

Victor stopped running, stood up, and opened his arms to complain to the referee.

The home fans also booed loudly.

Amid boos, the referee blew his whistle and ruled that Isara had committed a foul, and then showed him a yellow card!

Tyne's defensive midfield position has finally been "stained yellow"...

Isara wanted to defend himself – he believed the foul didn't warrant a yellow card.

But the referee pointed to the yellow card in his hand, reminding him that if he wasn't the captain, he shouldn't talk to him, lest he get another one, turning two yellows into a red card.

At the same time, Wang Lie also ran up. He seemed afraid that Isara might act impulsively and insist on going up against the referee. As he ran, he shouted at him, "Lenny! Lenny! Get back, get back!"

After running over to Isara, he squeezed between Isara and the referee and said to him, "Go back to defense, watch out for their fast breaks!"

He then turned to the referee and asked, "Are you sure this is a yellow card offense, sir?"

While jotting down the decision information on the sticky note on the back of the yellow card, the referee answered Wang Lie's question without looking up: "Be content, Wang. He only got a card now. I need to control the emotions of both teams' players. If I didn't give them cards soon, the Clayton Athletic players might revolt..."

“What does their rebellion have to do with us? You can’t give Isara a yellow card just to maintain balance,” Wang Lie said confidently.

After writing the final stroke, the referee put away the yellow card and said to Wang Lie, "Alright, Wang. I understand how you feel. Focus on the game itself, don't argue with me."

The referee had to give this top Premier League star and legend some face and say a few words to him.

If it were anyone else, such as Lenny Isara himself, who dared to breathe hot air from his nostrils onto his face, he would immediately give them a very stern verbal warning.

If Isara continues to press his advantage, then I really will show him a second yellow card.

Wang Lie knew he couldn't change the verdict even if he came up, but as the team captain, it was his duty to fulfill.

He didn't do much when he played for the club because he wasn't the captain.

After speaking with the referee, he turned around and found his teammates forming a human wall under the direction of vice-captain and goalkeeper Elliott Goetz.

Goetz leaned against the near post, shouting his teammates' names and gesturing for them to adjust their positions.

Vitini stood in front of the ball, preventing Clayton Sports' Kevin Zimmer from taking a quick free kick. Despite Zimmer telling him he would listen for the whistle, Vitini stood there like a wooden post, leaving Zimmer frustrated.

He looked towards the sidelines and saw head coach Sam McNeil giving two players who were about to be substituted on the field some final instructions in front of the Tyne coaching bench.

One is Gianfranco Ramosa, the team's starting defensive midfielder last season. The other is Peter Oliver, the team's starting center forward in the first half of last season.

The substitution of Lamosa was definitely due to Isala, who is also a defensive midfielder, receiving a yellow card, which will become a potential threat to the team's defense in the upcoming matches.

It's a substitution that matches the player in position.

But if they bring on Oliver... does that mean they're going to replace me?
Wang Lie thought for a moment and dismissed the guess, because he and Sam had an understanding that Sam would rarely substitute him prematurely unless he asked to do so, let alone at such a crucial moment.

Bringing on Oliver as a center forward should free up our own space, allowing Oliver to act as a target man up front...

So Sam McNeil, their leader, was unwilling to accept the exact same result as last season—even the same score.

Including the forced substitution in the first half, Sam has already used all five substitution slots and three substitution opportunities.

Their head coach played all the cards he had.

Unsuccessful, they become benevolent.

But Wang Lie would not allow him to fail.

He clapped his hands loudly to draw everyone's attention to him, then raised his arms and shouted, "Defend against this free kick first! Then launch a counter-attack!"

Perhaps to prevent Tyne from launching a counter-attack, Kevin Zimmer's free kick went over the crossbar and into the stands behind Tyne's goal.

Wang Lie, who was in the wall of players, turned around and rushed forward, wanting Goetz to take the goal kick quickly.

However, the referee blew his whistle to stop the game and signaled for a substitution.

Both teams made substitutions on the sidelines.

Tain brought on defensive midfielder Lamosa, replacing defensive midfielder Isala, and brought on center forward Oliver, replacing right winger Ribeiro who had previously assisted Wang Lie in scoring the second goal.

Clayton Sports also made two substitutions, replacing starting defensive midfielder Martin Lopez with midfielder Daniel Ellaso, and forward Colin Newbell replacing starting left winger Andy Fleming.

Basically, it's all about substitutions in the same position.

McNeil played all his cards, while Kochea still had two left.

He plans to make a decision based on the situation of the game, since he is in the lead and there is no need to gamble everything.

(End of this chapter)