Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 62: Xu He, It's Your Turn to Take the Field

Class Ten’s football team launched a relentless offensive, so much so that even their fullback, Li Jie, had surged into Class Nine’s half. Though Class Nine held the lead, on the field they were clearly on the defensive. The pressure from Class Ten’s attacks was suffocating.

Yuan Fang, a player from the combined team of Class Five and Eight, commented, “That early goal was just an accident. Now Class Ten has total control. It’s only a matter of time before Class Nine concedes. Class Ten is really too strong. We still have a chance to qualify.”

Liu Peng said nothing, simply watching in silence.

Just moments ago, Class Ten’s fullback Li Jie had sent in a cross from the flank, the ball speeding into the penalty area, flying precisely to the far post.

The combined team’s players jumped up, ready to celebrate. At the far post, Yang Xin rose above everyone else, towering over the crowd and heading the ball. Unfortunately, the ball sailed just over the crossbar.

The players were bitterly disappointed.

Liu Peng roared, “If it were me, I’d have scored for sure.” He had absolute confidence in his heading ability, and no one disputed it. Even Xu He, hearing this, wouldn’t argue—Liu Peng’s heading was indeed formidable, easily the best at Jin’guan City Seventeenth High.

When Class Ten played the combined team, Liu Peng could single-handedly mark Yang Xin, the tall presence up front. His heading ability was truly sharp.

On the sidelines, Xu He clapped vigorously, reminding his teammates, “Far post! Class Nine has serious problems defending the far post. Keep targeting that area.”

It was true—Class Nine’s defense had significant weaknesses.

Of course, their goalkeeper, Li Bo, was not without skill. But he had a glaring weakness: short and rather overweight, he could hardly jump. High balls were a nightmare for him, which explained why Class Ten kept sending in aerial crosses, exploiting the keeper’s flaw.

Li Bo hadn’t originally played keeper; he was a midfielder with decent dribbling skills. But the team couldn’t find a proper goalkeeper, so he had to fill the position himself. His shot-stopping and reflexes were good, but his shortcomings were too obvious.

Class Ten’s entire strategy was to exploit these weaknesses.

Once more, Li Jie crossed from the flank, this time to the middle of the box. Zhang Zhen rose for a header.

The ball was on target, but a little too high.

Li Bo didn’t even touch the ball, his heart sinking.

But it was just fractionally over the bar.

Li Bo was terrified.

On the sidelines, Class Nine’s classmates were furious, condemning Class Ten’s players for their “despicable” tactics in bullying Li Bo.

Class Ten had gone too far.

Xu He felt a little embarrassed hearing their outcry.

But Zhu Ge and the others on the pitch felt no such shame. This was a football match—using one’s strengths to attack the opponent’s weaknesses was perfectly normal. Why should they feel guilty? Why shouldn’t they play this way?

Ignoring the protests, they pressed the attack.

Lin Xuefeng, after breaking through on the flank, suddenly cut inside, drawing defenders and pulling Li Bo toward the near post. At that moment, he lofted a shot toward the far upper corner.

Watching the ball’s trajectory, Li Bo felt despair.

It was ruthless.

Luckily, Class Nine had some good fortune—the ball struck the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.

Class Ten’s constant targeting of Li Bo’s weakness was eroding his confidence; perhaps he would never play goalkeeper again. Height was a hard limitation, immutable by effort.

Li Bo could only sigh.

Xu He, on the sidelines, felt sorry for Li Bo. If only the keeper were a bit taller, he really could have been quite good.

Xu He cheered for his team.

Seeing Li Jie approaching, he handed him a sports drink. Li Jie took a few sips and tossed it on the ground. Xu He hurried over, picked it up, and returned to the sideline, watching the match attentively.

He rooted for his team, hoping they would soon equalize.

The match continued, Class Ten mounting fierce attacks.

Lin Xuefeng’s dribbling down the wing drew cheers from the girls in the crowd. Then he sent a diagonal cross to the far post.

At the far post, Zhang Zhen volleyed the ball without trapping it.

Xu He watched with burning excitement, standing up.

The ball whistled out, fast and threatening—everyone thought it was certain to score. But Li Bo, with a single palm, deflected it out for a corner, preserving the lead.

Class Nine’s classmates immediately cheered Li Bo’s name.

Li Bo, ecstatic after making the save, jumped up, let out a roar, and punched the air, venting all his pent-up frustration.

Throughout the match, his weakness had been targeted, leaving him in a foul mood, full of repressed anger and frustration—now finally released.

Li Bo was not to be underestimated.

Class Ten’s players felt some trepidation at Li Bo’s defiance.

A corner.

Lin Xuefeng sent the ball into the box. Yang Xin headed it on, and Muyang followed up with a powerful shot, smashing into the defender and bouncing out for another corner.

The defender crashed to the ground and took a moment to get up.

A substitution—Class Nine was forced to make a change.

Muyang’s thunderous shot had knocked the opponent out of the game. Fortunately, the player wasn’t seriously hurt.

But it was frightening.

Class Ten continued attacking, creating numerous chances and threatening Class Nine’s goal. Several times, they came close to scoring, but ultimately failed.

Li Bo’s saves, and the unity of Class Nine’s defenders, caused Class Ten’s attack considerable trouble.

Class Nine’s players were extraordinarily united.

They were fighting with everything they had; such defense was truly formidable. Even with Class Ten’s powerful attack, it was hard to break through.

Still, Class Ten pressed on, attacking relentlessly.

Their assaults were ferocious, constantly threatening Class Nine’s goal, yet unable to score.

The combined team of Class Five and Eight had lost their previous confidence and now felt anxious. They realized that even Class Ten could not break through Class Nine, and that Class Ten might not score at all.

Was Class Nine going to win?

If so, the combined team was doomed.

They shouted encouragement to Class Ten, hoping the players would snap out of it and score.

On the sidelines, Xu He’s brow furrowed—this match was tense.

He waved and shouted, urging Class Ten’s players forward.

Attack—Class Ten pressed again.

In midfield, Zhu Ge and Muyang combined beautifully, Zhu Ge bursting into the box to receive the pass and shoot. The shot was fast and powerful, but just slightly off target.

Three minutes later, Zhang Zhen, inside the box, received a pass from Lin Xuefeng, curled a shot toward the goal—only to see a Class Nine defender slide in and block it, crashing into the goalmouth.

Zhang Zhen was helpless; he thought the goal was certain, but alas.

Class Ten attacked wildly, creating multiple chances, but failed to breach Class Nine’s goal. This left their players increasingly restless—their attacks lost composure and patience, becoming frantic.

They started trying more long-range shots. Though their shooting skills were good, none resulted in goals.

Xu He grew anxious, heading to the sideline to remind his teammates to relax and not rush. But it had little effect; by halftime, they had not adjusted their mentality.

Zero to one—Class Ten ended the first half trailing.

At halftime, the team’s spirits were low.

Xu He stood up, reminding his teammates not to panic, to maintain composure and play patiently. They still had chances.

After Xu He’s encouragement, Class Ten’s players felt much better psychologically.

However, the combined team of Class Five and Eight had all but given up. They felt Class Ten had become arrogant, too dismissive of their opponents.

Class Ten would pay for their pride.

The second half began, with Class Ten still dominating, attacking furiously. Class Nine’s defense seemed ragged, barely able to withstand the onslaught, yet they held firm and did not concede.

As time passed, Class Nine’s defense grew more confident. Class Ten’s attacks gradually lost their threat; Class Nine was full of confidence, convinced victory was theirs.

The combined team’s players were dejected, feeling their fate was sealed.

Class Ten’s players fought hard, but to little effect.

Zhu Ge felt increasingly awkward on the pitch and sought out Muyang, suggesting, “Should we try someone else? If we keep playing this way, it won’t work.”

Muyang nodded slightly, accepting the suggestion.

Zhu Ge asked, “Who should we put on?”

Muyang answered without hesitation, “Xu He.”

Zhu Ge’s eyes lit up, and he immediately turned and shouted toward the sideline, “Xu He, warm up—get ready to play!”

Hearing this, Xu He was overjoyed, jumping to his feet and sprinting off to warm up.

Finally, finally it was his turn to take the field again.

Xu He encouraged himself silently, “Xu He, you must seize this chance—your opportunity to return to the starting lineup has come!”