MTL NOVEL Chapter 47: 47
As Watergate dribbled straight into the penalty area, the reserve squad quickly reacted, tightening their defensive formation.
Gu Ran's earlier brilliant through ball from the flank had already been wasted by Watergate, squandering their initial advantage.
Still, the opportunity was there.
Watergate moved the ball around inside the box before finally spotting an opening to pass to Glider, who had cut in from deep.
Under pressure from two defenders, Glider attempted a sliding shot—
The ball soared high, flying over the crossbar.
A wasted chance.
The main squad's players groaned in frustration, clutching their heads.
Glider, clearly embarrassed, simply lay flat on the pitch, pretending to be dead for a few seconds.
On the sidelines, Coach Carter erupted into another round of furious yelling.
"You bunch of f*cking deadweights! Do you even realize how great an opportunity Gu just created?! Watergate, what the hell are you doing?! After receiving the ball, you should've driven forward immediately, creating a 2v1 with Pretty Boy! The goal would've been right there! And you, Glider! If you don't feel like playing, I'll dig up my grandmother and have her replace you! How about that?!
Gu is a newcomer—he hasn't even trained with you before! But look at him! The very first time he touched the ball, he delivered a world-class through ball! And what about the rest of you? Useless! Absolutely useless! Nothing but a bunch of brain-dead, incompetent morons who can't even be helped!"
The entire main squad lowered their heads in silence, completely demoralized.
More white bubbles started appearing beneath their feet.
Gu Ran quickly assessed the options and ultimately walked over to Captain Bread, lightly tapping the white bubble under his foot.
Ding~
"Host has collected a result from an ordinary bubble: Stamina Training +10 hours. Today's collection progress: 10/10."
Nice!
Gu Ran felt a slight restoration of stamina as he took a deep breath.
Bread looked at him in confusion. "...What is it?"
Gu Ran responded casually, "Oh, nothing, Captain. I thought I heard you shouting at me earlier, but I was too focused on the play and didn't quite catch it."
Bread hesitated for a moment before saying, "...I was shouting, 'Good job.'"
As he spoke, he gave Gu Ran a thumbs-up.
That last play—Gu Ran's performance was flawless. He not only saved the main squad from disaster but also created a perfect attacking opportunity. It was just a shame that Watergate had been too caught off guard to capitalize on it.
Gu Ran smiled. "Thanks."
Then, without another word, he turned and jogged back into position.
Bread couldn't help but think, 'Chinese people sure are polite…'
The match continued.
Time was running out for the main squad.
The reserve goalkeeper took a goal kick, which was smoothly transitioned through a few passes before reaching the right-back of the reserve squad.
From a tactical perspective, the reserve team's right-back was naturally matched against the left flank of the main squad.
It was clear that the reserve team was once again targeting the left flank for their attack.
After all, Gu Ran was a new player who had never trained with the main squad before. There was zero chemistry between him and his teammates—Watergate's missed opportunity earlier had been a direct result of that lack of coordination.
The reserve squad's mindset was clear:
Gu Ran's earlier play had just been a fluke.
If they kept up the pressure, the left flank would eventually collapse.
Seeing their intent, the main squad immediately responded.
Seame rushed forward to intercept, while Watergate and Bread moved in to provide support.
The reserve right-back spotted an opening and passed inside to his midfielder.
The midfielder quickly relayed the ball forward to their striker.
The striker took possession and immediately drove toward the left flank—while the reserve right-back overlapped down the wing!
Another attack was brewing.
The entire reserve squad pressed higher into the main squad's half.
Watergate dropped back, this time trying to redeem himself.
Captain Bread and center-backs Rust and Painter rushed back to defend the penalty area.
Truth be told, the main squad's defensive organization was solid—their shape remained disciplined.
But all the pressure was now concentrated on Gu Ran.
If Gu Ran got beaten 1v1, or if the striker and right-back executed a successful give-and-go, the left flank would be completely exposed—giving the reserve striker a free run into the box.
The reserve striker looked extremely confident.
Last time, he had been caught off guard by Gu Ran's aggressive challenge.
This time, he was ready to overpower him physically.
Gu Ran sprinted forward decisively, positioning himself early to cut off the striker's path.
The reserve striker adjusted and chose to hug the sideline, dribbling down the touchline.
A smart decision—Gu Ran was left-footed, which meant defending against a touchline drive was a natural disadvantage for him.
But Gu Ran didn't bother reaching for the ball.
He just went straight in with his body.
If there was one position in English football that favored brute force, it was the fullback position.
If your stamina, strength, and speed were good enough—you were qualified to play the role.
Gu Ran never slowed down.
With a quick turn of his body, he slammed his shoulder into the striker at full force!
A classic English football collision!
The reserve striker had been prepared for a physical battle.
But the moment they made contact—
He was instantly sent flying!
He got bodied. Completely.
From the penalty area, Rust pumped his fist in excitement, running while shouting, "I TOLD YOU! GU RAN IS STRONG AS HELL!"
The rest of the players were shocked.
This Chinese kid… is actually good!
After knocking the striker aside, Gu Ran shielded the ball, controlling it calmly.
But the reserve right-back arrived, pressing up to block him from launching a long pass.
It had to be said—the football IQ of these amateur high school players was far superior to even semi-pro street players back in China.
The reserve striker recovered and charged back to press Gu Ran again!
Seeing the pressure mounting, Gu Ran felt an urgency to make his move.
Just then, he heard a voice behind him—
"Pass it to me!"
Watergate had dropped deep, making himself available for support.
Despite having ignored Gu Ran earlier, he wasn't stupid—he knew that, at this moment, they had to work together to win.
And Gu Ran thought the same.
He immediately triggered his basic skill—Give-and-Go.
Using his shoulder, he forcefully pushed away the right-back's defensive pressure while making a sharp return pass to Watergate.
"Beautiful!!" Watergate received the ball cleanly.
The reserve right-back was stunned.
Give-and-Go wasn't a hard skill, but it required chemistry to execute smoothly.
Yet somehow, Gu Ran and Watergate had pulled it off seamlessly!
Weren't these two at odds just a few minutes ago?
Had they been pretending this whole time?!
The reserve team quickly adjusted, closing in on Watergate before he could cut inside.
Watergate found himself surrounded by three defenders!
With no other option, he dribbled down the left flank.
But Gu Ran wasn't standing still.
He switched positions, making an off-the-ball cut toward midfield.
As he ran, he shouted—
"Give it back!"
Watergate hesitated for a split second—then sent it right back.
Give-and-Go transitioned into a Give-and-Three!
Two simple exchanges had completely broken down the reserve team's defense!
Even Watergate was shocked by how naturally they played together—
As if they had trained together in a dream.
Gu Ran took a touch, adjusted his position—
Then launched a long pass straight toward the penalty box!
Every player and spectator held their breath.
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