Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 54: Is It Truly Skill or Mere Luck?

The progression of the match certainly exceeded many people's expectations, yet on reflection, it seemed entirely reasonable. After all, Class Sixteen’s football team was never considered especially strong; though they had won their first two matches, it always seemed more a matter of luck than skill. Now that their luck had run out, it was only natural for them to lose.

The players from Class Six and the joint team from Class Seventeen were on edge—the outcome of this match would directly impact their fate. Yang Hao, in particular, was abnormally tense. He had been confident that he could lead his team into the knockout stage; he had even dared to dream of winning the championship. But now, it seemed he had overestimated himself. They might not even make it out of the group stage.

Previously, when facing Class Sixteen and Class Fourteen, his team had chances to win, but unfortunately, due to his own shortcomings and a lack of luck, they failed. This left Yang Hao frustrated and angry. Now, all he could do was pray that Class Sixteen’s luck would hold out long enough to beat—or at least draw with—Class Fourteen. But clearly, that was a tall order. Class Sixteen simply didn't have the strength.

The match resumed, but Class Sixteen showed no intention of attacking; they were still set firmly on defense, which infuriated Yang Hao and his teammates. Xu He, naturally, understood the reason for Yang Hao’s anger. If Class Sixteen refused to attack, wasn't that tantamount to conceding defeat? Weren't they, in effect, handing qualification to Class Fourteen?

If Xu He were in Yang Hao’s shoes, he too would be furious. He turned to Li Jie beside him and asked, “Do you think Class Sixteen can’t attack, or have they simply never planned to?”

Li Jie was taken aback by the question. He truly couldn’t figure it out. You couldn’t tell what Class Sixteen’s players intended. It wasn’t that they weren’t taking the match seriously—their defense was as disciplined and meticulous as ever. Class Fourteen continued their intense assault, but breaking through Class Sixteen’s defensive line was by no means easy.

Zhuo Jun’s performance remained proactive and steady. But if you suggested they were looking to attack, despite trailing for so long, they had barely crossed midfield. Was that the posture of a team preparing to strike back? And furthermore, even if they lost this match, Class Sixteen would still finish top of their group.

All these reasons left Li Jie genuinely perplexed about what Class Sixteen was thinking. After a long pause, he finally said, “I really can’t figure them out. I don’t understand how Class Sixteen managed to get these results.”

Indeed, Class Sixteen had everyone baffled.

Xu He nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, on the field, the match pressed on. The front three of Class Fourteen truly came to life in this game, displaying a rare and remarkable chemistry. Though none of them were individually outstanding, together their coordination was razor-sharp. Class Sixteen’s defense was solid, but even so, these three managed to break it apart, leaving the back line perilously shaky.

If not for Zhuo Jun’s desperate interventions at critical moments, Class Sixteen might already have been soundly defeated.

Xu He couldn’t help but sigh, “Zhuo Jun is without a doubt the best center-back at Jinguancheng No. 17 High. I won’t accept any argument.”

Li Jie nodded slightly. “Agreed.”

Zhu Ge, standing nearby, also nodded. “I think so too. It’s really a pity—if we’d brought him onto our team, we’d have been guaranteed champions.”

The main weakness of Class Ten’s team was their defense, including the goalkeeper. The fact that they conceded in every match against Class Four highlighted this weakness. Their low number of goals conceded in previous matches was not due to a strong defense, but rather a powerful midfield that provided cover.

Should they face stronger teams in the future, their defense would likely be vulnerable. If they had a player like Zhuo Jun, they’d be unbeatable in this league. Zhu Ge truly regretted not discovering Zhuo Jun’s talent earlier; now, all he could do was watch enviously.

With a thud, Zhuo Jun leapt high and blocked a shot from Class Fourteen’s forward, He Xiaoke, sending the ball out for a corner.

Applause thundered from Xu He, who had clearly become Zhuo Jun’s ardent fanboy.

Corner kick!

Class Fourteen won a corner. Yang Hao’s face darkened—he was starting to believe this match was fixed. Otherwise, how could Class Sixteen have had no real attempts on goal, barely even crossing midfield? He was angry and furious.

Class Fourteen sent the corner into the box. Their forward Qin Tailong and Zhuo Jun both leapt, battling fiercely in the air for the ball. With a resounding thud, Zhuo Jun headed it clear. Once again, Qin Tailong’s individual skills proved mediocre; he stood little chance against Zhuo Jun in a one-on-one.

So, Class Fourteen wasn’t that formidable after all. But Xu He and the others didn’t dare underestimate them; when it came to coordinated play, this trio was unmatched at Jinguancheng No. 17 High. They were the best attacking unit, but their average individual skills limited their growth and future.

Nevertheless, in this match, they displayed extraordinary control and strength, pressing Class Sixteen’s group leaders so hard that the latter barely had a chance. The first half was drawing to a close, and Class Sixteen had managed only one weak, harmless shot from distance.

On the sidelines, Class Six’s captain, Yang Hao, shouted angrily, “What an ugly match!”

Soon after, Class Fourteen’s captain and midfield core, Xu Liuxian, sent a long-range shot just over the bar, and the first half ended. Class Fourteen led Class Sixteen 1-0—a result that surprised everyone.

During halftime, Zhu Ge asked Xu He who he thought would win. Xu He thought for a moment and replied, “This match will probably end in a draw.”

Zhu Ge and the others were startled. “So you still believe in Class Sixteen?”

Xu He grinned. “I believe in Zhuo Jun. I’m his fanboy.”

Zhu Ge laughed heartily, surprised that Xu He’s faith in Class Sixteen came entirely from his admiration for Zhuo Jun. Still, he thought Xu He would be disappointed—Class Sixteen had almost no chance of scoring, and would likely lose. He, too, believed the score would remain 1-0. That result would be enough for Class Fourteen to qualify, and seeing that Class Sixteen had no attacking power, they had no reason to continue pressing and risk provoking them. They just wanted to see the match calmly through to the end.

That was precisely what angered the players from Class Six and the joint Class Seventeen team. Class Fourteen, seeking safety, wouldn’t overcommit, and Class Sixteen lacked the means to attack. The result seemed all but settled.

As the second half began, some spectators on the sidelines angrily accused the teams of fixing the match, with Class Six’s players leading the chorus. Naturally, this infuriated the players on the field—such accusations were an insult. They were playing seriously, and to be so maligned made them furious; they now harbored a deep resentment for the Class Six players.

The tension on the pitch shifted subtly.

Xu He frowned, unhappy with the behavior of Class Six’s players; he too was angry. Weren’t they just making trouble?

Fortunately, the players on the pitch weren’t unduly affected. They continued to play seriously, much to Xu He’s relief. At least they hadn’t ruined the match, and the tournament could go on.

Despite the jeers from the sidelines, the rhythm of the match didn’t change. Class Fourteen continued to dominate, besieging Class Sixteen, who barely held on. The players from Class Six and the joint Class Seventeen team grew more anxious by the minute. If the match ended with this score, they would be completely out of contention.

They stared intently at the field, but Class Fourteen remained in control, besieging Class Sixteen, who had only the barest ability to resist.

Even Xu He began to waver in his belief. It seemed fortune would not smile on Class Sixteen this time, and not even Zhuo Jun could save them. The victory surely belonged to Class Fourteen.

But then, suddenly, an unexpected twist occurred. Zhuo Jun intercepted the ball in the center, quickly passing it to Song Xiang, who was advancing down the wing. Song Xiang took off, charging down the sideline, swiftly crossing midfield and storming into Class Fourteen’s penalty area.

Perhaps, unaccustomed to any real threat until then, Class Fourteen’s defenders panicked; one lost control and brought Song Xiang down in the box—a penalty was awarded.

It was a dramatic turn, and the entire stadium was stunned.

Xu He muttered, “No way, is this really happening?”

Zhuo Jun stepped up and blasted the penalty into Class Fourteen’s net, leveling the score at 1-1. The faces of Class Six’s players were stung—was this still a fixed match? Their accusations had been resoundingly disproved.

The Class Fourteen players hadn’t expected such a reversal. They immediately launched a furious attack, striving to regain the lead and secure qualification. They worked tirelessly, creating chance after chance, but nearly every effort was blocked by Zhuo Jun. In the end, they failed to score again, and the match ended 1-1.

Seeing the final result, Xu He was left bewildered. Was Class Sixteen’s success a matter of skill, or was it just luck?