Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 065: The First Hat-Trick

The match had entered its final ten minutes. Although the Class Ten football team maintained control of the game, scoring proved difficult. After all, the Class Nine football team had nearly abandoned attacking altogether, parking the bus in defense.

Of course, perhaps Class Nine hadn’t truly given up on attacking—they were waiting for a chance to counter, a single, decisive blow. Victory was their only assurance of advancing. At this moment, their retreat might well be a tactic to confuse Class Ten.

The players of the United Class Fifty-Eight football team were tense.

“Over here!” Xu He spotted an opening and shouted. The defenders from Class Nine didn’t rush to close him down, instead holding their positions. They wouldn’t recklessly surrender their defensive formation just for Xu He; they didn’t consider him as dangerous as he appeared. Stability remained their priority—no need to take risks for Xu He.

Zhu Ge immediately passed him the ball, prompting the Class Nine defenders to attack. But just as one rushed forward, Xu He suddenly poked the ball ahead, sending it quickly through the defender’s legs. Xu He darted past, chasing the ball.

A nutmeg—he’d outwitted the defender.

Class Nine had underestimated Xu He.

After bypassing the defender and catching up with the ball, Xu He cut inside, charging into Class Nine’s penalty area. The center-back stepped up to intercept. Xu He feinted a cross, tricking the defender, then instantly changed direction, heading straight for the goal.

Brilliant.

Two consecutive dazzling dribbles—Xu He surged toward the goal.

The United Class Fifty-Eight players were awkwardly excited, but dared not celebrate too soon. Xu He was the one with the ball, and his shooting skills left much to be desired. Even if he got through, he might still fail to score.

They didn’t know what to do.

Class Nine’s defenders were alarmed, closing in on Xu He, leaving the center open. Yang Xin, following up, stretched out his hand, every cell in his body pleading for Xu He to pass. But Xu He seemed not to see him, catching up with the ball and unleashing a fierce shot from a tight angle.

With a thud, the ball rocketed forward, skimming the turf, shooting toward the far bottom corner of the goal.

Li Bo, the goalkeeper, paled and dove sideways. Unfortunately, he was a bit too slow—his size worked against him. He couldn’t touch the ball; he could only watch as it rolled into the corner.

On the sidelines, the United Class Fifty-Eight players leapt up, arms raised in triumph.

Xu He had done it—he was remarkable.

In that moment, all their earlier criticisms of his shooting vanished from memory. Now they were chanting his name, convinced he was their savior.

The ball moved with such speed that Li Bo was helpless; the defenders could only watch as it struck the inside of the far post and bounced into the net.

Class Nine’s players closed their eyes in despair.

They had resisted nearly an entire match, only to fall at the last moment—failure snatched from the jaws of success. The feeling was awful; spirits sank, and some eyes reddened.

They could see their chance of advancing slipping away.

Li Bo roared, “It’s not over yet! We still have a chance. Stand up, hold the line. As long as we don’t concede again, we still have hope.”

Li Bo refused to give up—his fighting spirit ablaze.

Though the situation was dire, it hadn’t collapsed completely. Even if the score remained as it was, they could still advance. As long as they didn’t concede further, their qualification remained possible.

Now was not the time to lose composure.

Li Bo rallied his teammates; it was no time for dejection—they still had a chance.

His words revived the Class Nine players. Indeed, it wasn’t time to surrender; hope remained.

Gradually, they adjusted and regained their determination, ready to defend desperately and safeguard their advancement.

Class Ten’s players crowded around Xu He.

Xu He’s performance today was truly impressive—two goals already, reversing the score and propelling the team forward.

Everyone could see it: while Xu He’s shooting wasn’t as refined as Zhang Zhen’s, it had improved greatly. If he continued progressing, he would surely become a core player for their team.

Li Jie embraced Xu He, exclaiming, “Xu, you were incredible today—you carried us!”

Zhang Zhen also cast Xu He a look of admiration.

Xu He was delighted; his hard work had paid off. He resolved to keep striving, determined to master his shooting skills as soon as possible.

He knew he hadn’t fully grasped them yet—his shots were still inconsistent. He understood he needed to work harder.

Two-one, Class Ten had taken the lead.

The United Class Fifty-Eight players on the sidelines fell quiet, tense and cautious as the match reached its critical moment.

They feared Class Ten would give them hope only to crush it.

Silently, they prayed, “One more, Class Ten—score one more!”

They hoped for another goal.

On the pitch, Xu He remained energetic, searching for scoring opportunities. Class Nine’s defense tightened around him; they dared not relax their guard against Xu He now. Even if he launched every shot into the stands, they would defend him relentlessly.

Who knew when this unpredictable wild card might strike?

They couldn’t risk it.

To stop the wild card, they had to deny him even a single chance.

Thus, the rest of the match was tough for Xu He, but he refused to give up, still actively seeking chances. Having come on as a substitute in the second half, his stamina was plentiful; his relentless running barely affected him, but it wore down Class Nine’s defenders.

Gradually, they couldn’t keep up with him.

Xu He’s heart leapt—another opportunity.

Suddenly, he noticed a gap near the edge of Class Nine’s penalty area; a defender was slow to recover. Xu He accelerated, signaling to Mu Yang for the pass.

The United Class Fifty-Eight players saw the chance, their eyes shining.

“Pass! Quick, pass—Xu He is open!”

They screamed silently.

With a thud, Mu Yang played a direct ball, sending it rolling swiftly into the space ahead of Xu He.

Class Nine’s players panicked, faces turning pale.

Danger!

Li Bo bellowed, charging toward the near post to cut off Xu He’s angle.

This moment was crucial—he was determined not to let Xu He score. He even felt tempted to commit a foul just to deny him the shot.

But he restrained himself.

After all, this was inside the penalty area—a foul would mean a penalty.

Li Bo, like a lion, roared, “Come on, Xu He! This time, I won’t let you score!”

The words had barely left his mouth when Xu He caught up to the ball and, without hesitation, unleashed a powerful shot.

The ball shot forward like a cannonball, heading straight for the top corner at the near post.

Too fast!

Li Bo jumped instantly, reaching out to block.

He touched the ball—a moment of joy—but as he looked up, his smile froze.

Xu He’s shot was so powerful that even Li Bo’s touch couldn’t stop it from flying into the net.

Three-one—Xu He had completed a hat-trick.

Overwhelmed, Xu He spun and sprinted to the sideline, sliding in celebration.

Honestly, even he hadn’t expected that shot to go in.

From that position, he had little confidence; his shooting was never as sharp as it appeared today. Luck was with him—such a strike had found the net.

Xu He ought to thank the heavens.

Class Ten’s players rushed to Xu He, piling onto him. Today they witnessed a new Xu He—his progress was astonishing.

Zhu Ge exclaimed, “Now the starting lineup will be a headache! Xu He deserves a place.”

Mu Yang watched silently.

Zhang Zhen felt pressure from Xu He’s rapid improvement, but deep down he was genuinely happy for him.

The United Class Fifty-Eight players howled in excitement, jumping and singing—they had qualified. With Class Ten’s help, they had truly advanced. Their joy spilled over, with some even shouting thanks to Xu He.

Xu He’s performance today was indeed outstanding.

He was their savior.

Class Nine’s players felt hollow, but they hadn’t given up—there was still a slim hope. When the match restarted, they attacked fiercely, determined to score, which would give them a shot at advancing.

Seeing this, the United Class Fifty-Eight players grew nervous again.

Class Nine pressed forward, launching a frantic offensive in pursuit of a goal. Their attack was chaotic, leaving their defense exposed. Not only did they fail to score, but they conceded again.

Zhong Haokun intercepted in midfield, Zhu Ge played a long pass, Zhang Zhen received it at the edge of the penalty area and blasted it past Class Nine’s goalkeeper.

Four-one—Class Ten extended their lead.

Now the United Class Fifty-Eight players could finally relax; their advancement was assured.

Class Nine’s players were deflated, spiritless.

Before the match ended, Class Ten scored again—Lin Xuefeng found the net, finishing after Yang Xin’s header set him up in the box.

Five-one.

In the final round of the group stage, Class Ten had routed Class Nine.

Xu He’s outstanding performance, with a hat-trick, made him the chief architect of Class Ten’s victory.