CHAPTER 1853: CHAPTER 970: KICKED AMERICA DUMBFOUNDED

The national team’s Four Great Guardians consist of not only the midfield and offensive Guardians, but also the defensive Guardian and the goalkeeper Guardian.

These Four Guardians establish a powerful offensive and defensive line for the national team, making it hard for opponents to find opportunities against them, and it’s easy for the national team to find a chance to deliver a decisive shot.

Here we go.

America’s offensive players launched an attack, choosing the right moment, with a long-range shot. However, this shot posed little threat, as goalkeeper Zhu Cheng effortlessly caught the ball.

After gaining possession, Zhu Cheng assessed the situation on the field and passed the ball to a nearby teammate, who quickly moved towards the midfield after receiving the ball.

At midfield, Zhu Tan took primary responsibility for ball control, but due to the larger number of American players in the midfield, breaking through was challenging, resulting in an intense tug-of-war between the two sides.

The America team tried multiple times to snatch the ball from under Zhu Tan’s feet, but Zhu Tan didn’t give them the chance.

However,

Though Zhu Tan could hold onto the ball, taking it further proved difficult. The pressure on the midfield was immense, and after several failed feints and forced breakthroughs, possession exchanged hands two or three times, but ultimately the ball returned to Zhu Tan’s feet.

"Damn!"

Confronted with America’s tight marking, Zhu Tan felt frustrated. After weighing his options, he realized carrying the ball forward to pass to Liu Zhan, Li Shuangying, or Zhao Xuanming was nearly impossible. Attempting it would risk having the ball intercepted by America.

After thinking it over,

Zhu Tan decided to send a long pass. With a gesture, teammates Liu Zhan, Li Shuangying, and Zhao Xuanming understood his intention for a long-range pass.

This long pass came as a surprise to the America team.

But America’s team wasn’t made up of incompetent players. Upon seeing the long pass, they quickly retreated to their defensive line with incredible speed.

Nonetheless,

no matter how fast they were, they couldn’t prevent Li Shuangying from effortlessly receiving Zhu Tan’s long pass.

With that, only one defender stood in front of Li Shuangying. Carrying the ball, he charged towards America’s left defensive line like lightning.

America’s goalkeeper was tense, eyes fixed on Li Shuangying. He knew that China’s Li Shuangying was like a sharp sword, capable of delivering a lethal strike right into the heart!

In terms of defending against the national team, Li Shuangying was the top priority, followed by Liu Zhan and midfielder Zhu Tan. As for Zhao Xuanming, America hadn’t fully assessed the right forward’s strength, placing him as the fourth priority in defense.

After all, Li Shuangying had performed outstandingly in previous Asian competitions.

While America’s focus was mainly on defending against Li Shuangying, he executed a move that looked like a shot but was actually a pass.

The goalkeeper was tense, prepared to block the shot, and America’s defensive players were ready to cut off the goal scoring route.

However,

the deceptive nature of Li Shuangying’s move was too strong.

Almost everyone thought Li Shuangying had found the perfect timing and position for a direct shot. Unexpectedly, the ball was passed to the right, to Zhao Xuanming.

The coordination between Li Shuangying and Zhao Xuanming was long-practiced and seamless.

Zhao Xuanming swiftly received the ball from Li Shuangying, and at this moment, there were scarcely any defenders close to him. The remaining defense consisted of America’s players who realized it was a pass and not a shot, as well as their goalkeeper.

Even if the goalkeeper reacted quickly, Zhao Xuanming’s strike was quicker, and America’s defenders were too late.

Whiz!

Zhao Xuanming found the perfect scoring opportunity from a certain distance on the right and delivered a fierce shot. The ball flew through the air, tracing an arc.

When it comes to players shooting, they usually aim for a curve, unless it’s a close-range shot that goes straight in.

Despite America’s defenders rushing over frantically, it was too late; now it depended on their goalkeeper. However, he had been drawn towards Li Shuangying, completely deceived, and couldn’t react in time as Zhao Xuanming’s shot was coming in.

And yet,

the ball brushed past America’s goalkeeper’s fingertips, just missing it, and plunged into America’s goal!

"Goal!"

The commentators in local streaming sessions were suddenly filled with excitement and energy.

The national team scored!

The first goal was by the national team, leading 1-0 against America. At that moment, the Chinese audience both at the scene and watching from home erupted in joyful cheers.