ALL NOVEL Chapter 30: Almere youth team vs Ajax youth team
It's matchday once more.
Almere finds themselves in the quarter-finals, showcasing remarkable strength and drawing a massive crowd.
Their opponents are Ajax Amsterdam, and the entire southern region of Amsterdam is buzzing with anticipation. Numerous fan organizations have pre-booked spots in Almere. Given the overwhelming number of supporters, the club has opted to host the game at their home ground for the time being.
The match kicks off in the evening, and as night descends, crowds begin to gather around the stadium.
Since it's an amateur game, all fans are admitted for free.
Upon entering the stadium, Yang Yang notices that not only are the simple single-storey stands completely packed, but the aisles surrounding them are also densely populated. Clearly, it's not just Almere and Ajax fans present.
"Wow, when did our stands get this full?"
"It's only natural. Previously, we only sold tickets for the stands, not the aisles. Naturally, they wouldn't have been this crowded."
"Why don't we build more grandstands? The fans seem content with the current capacity."
"Do you think there are three or four thousand people?"
"Definitely, considering the car park outside is full."
All the Almere players are taken aback by the fervor of the fans on the ground, noting it's been a long time since they've seen such a turnout for a youth match.
Yang Yang was taken aback, though not as emotionally stirred as some of his teammates. In fact, he felt a twinge of excitement deep within. Seeing three or four thousand fans generate such immense energy left him contemplating: What if they were in Ajax's or Eindhoven's stadium, capable of hosting tens of thousands?
Suddenly, a yearning welled up within Yang Yang. He dreamed of playing like his idols Ronaldo and Van Basten, in front of tens of thousands of fans. He longed for more people to witness and hear about him on the radio. The thought ignited a fire of excitement within him.
...
...
"When you see the expression on this boy's face, he looks like someone who was born to play this kind of game." Dick Vanpoer gazed at the players warming up on the pitch from his seat in front of the home team coach's seat, smiling at Yang Yang.
The other players were somewhat taken aback by the scene's fervor and became a bit more reserved. In contrast, Yang Yang was visibly more excited, focusing intently on his warm-up routine and even executing a few enthusiastic sprints back and forth.
Johnny Rep also took notice of Yang Yang's movements and nodded approvingly. "Some people are born to live for the game," he remarked. Having a resilient spirit is an essential trait for becoming a professional player.
Johnny Rep had once thought Yang Yang to be stubborn. Despite being advised to quit the team and enduring the shame of his teammates, Yang Yang never gave up. Now, seeing his composure under the pressure of such an important game impressed him greatly.
"This kid... we might not be able to hold onto him," Johnny Rep lamented. With Yang Yang, Almere would have had a stronger chance at promotion to the Eerste Divisie. But now...
At that moment, club president René Talberg was greeting a group of guests at the entrance to the stadium's presidential stand.
This group of people did not ascend directly from the stands but approached from behind the home team's coach.
"Hi, John," someone called out.
Johnny Rep heard the voices behind him, turned around, and his expression suddenly changed to a surprised smile.
"Hey, Tonny," Johnny Rep replied.
He shook hands with Tonny Bruins Slot, Ajax's head scout, through the iron fence.
"Hello there, Patrick," Johnny added.
"Hello, John," Patrick replied.
"Ah, it's great to see you, Ruud," Johnny Rep greeted.
"Likewise, I've heard a lot about you," Ruud Krol responded.
"And my old friend Fred," Johnny said warmly.
"Ha ha, John," Fred chuckled in reply.
As Johnny Rep greeted Ajax's head scout, followed by two assistant coaches and scouts, he was taken aback to see a tall figure standing behind them.
"Oh my God, Marco, what are you doing here?" exclaimed Johnny Rep.
It was none other than Marco Van Basten!
"Ha, I heard there was a game to watch, I couldn't miss that," Van Basten replied.
The two shook hands vigorously over the iron fence.
Johnny Rep suddenly recalled an earlier report stating that Van Basten had already obtained his coaching certificate. This summer, he would commence coaching Jong Ajax, Ajax's second team in the Eerste Divisie, marking his official entry into the world of professional coaching.
Transitioning from player to coach has long been a tradition in Dutch football.
With Ruud Gullit leading the Dutch youth team this season, Van Basten at the helm of Ajax's second team, and former Dutch national team coach, now managing Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard, the trio of Dutch football icons from the 1980s and 1990s who made waves in European football have all ventured into professional coaching.
"I really didn't expect you to come," Johnny Rep said, genuinely surprised.
He and Van Basten had never been teammates in the past.
Though a product of Ajax's youth system, Rep had ventured across Europe, first to PEC Zwolle and later to rivals Feyenoord, where he faced them in league encounters on numerous occasions.
During his second season at Feyenoord, alongside Gullit, they secured victories over Ajax before ultimately clinching the league title, while Ajax was under the guidance of Cruyff, assisted by Rijkaard, Van Basten, and Ronald Koeman.
With his sharp suit and towering stature, Van Basten unquestionably commanded attention, easily recognizable to keen-eyed fans. The atmosphere was electric, with countless supporters cheering and shouting.
It was indeed Van Basten! Who would have imagined seeing Van Basten on an amateur pitch!
The sound of the fans on the sidelines immediately captured the attention of the players on the pitch. Yang Yang glanced towards the touchline and was astonished. There stood Van Basten, deep in conversation with Coach Johnny Rep.
This was his idol, the man who had captivated him since childhood! How many times had he dreamed of meeting Van Basten, and now, face to face, he was overwhelmed. His heart raced, pounding in his chest. A voice in his head urged him to do something, or he would regret it forever.
Without hesitation, Yang Yang saw himself waving to his teammates before darting swiftly towards the sideline where Johnny Rep and Van Basten stood. His eyes widened with disbelief as he tremulously extended his right hand.
"Um... hello, Marco, I... I..."
His flushed face elicited chuckles from those around him, but they all understood. This was Van Basten—idolized by countless players and fans worldwide.
Even Ibrahimović, known for his bravado in Ajax's first team, had reacted similarly nervously when meeting Van Basten for the first time. Yet Yang Yang, despite his nerves, summoned the courage to shake Van Basten's hand.
Van Basten stood tall, his ever-present smile widening as he firmly clasped Yang Yang's hand.
"I know you, Yang Yang. Pleasure to meet you."
Feeling suffocated by the moment, Yang Yang held Van Basten's warm hand tightly. Hearing his idol acknowledge him brought tears to his eyes. Playing with or against Van Basten had always been his dream, and now knowing that Van Basten knew of him filled him with immense joy.
"Let's take a photo," suggested Fred Arroyo from the sidelines.
"Sure!" Yang Yang exclaimed joyously, leaping over the iron fence to stand beside Van Basten.
Though only slightly taller than Yang Yang, Van Basten seemed like a towering figure, akin to a mountain standing before him, forcing him to look up in admiration.
Behind them, Johnny Rep and Dick Vanpoer exchanged glances, both shaking their heads and sharing a bittersweet smile. Ajax had deployed an emotionally charged approach to rival PSV Eindhoven for Yang Yang's signature, a strategic move given the rarity of young players who didn't idolize Van Basten.
The gesture of Van Basten personally visiting the club underscored Ajax's commitment. Neither Johnny Rep nor Dick Vanpoer voiced objections; they simply allowed events to unfold.
"I hope you perform well in this match," Van Basten remarked.
As Yang Yang prepared to re-enter the stadium, Van Basten smiled warmly and offered encouragement.
Yang Yang gazed earnestly at Van Basten and nodded solemnly in response.
...
...
Van Basten's arrival didn't provoke a commotion among the Ajax players, but many found his reception somewhat exaggerated. After all, seeing Van Basten was a rarity for most, but Ajax's youth players encountered him almost daily, so it wasn't as surprising to them.
One of the Ajax center-backs, conversing with a dark-skinned player sporting long braids reminiscent of Ruud Gullit, nodded towards Yang Yang as he returned to the stadium to resume warm-ups. He reminded his teammate, "That's Almere's number 9, Yang Yang."
"He doesn't look all that impressive, quite slim," the braided player remarked, unimpressed by Yang Yang's appearance.
"In the last match against Volendam, he scored twice and turned the game around. I reckon he's still the linchpin of Almere's attack today. Watch out," he cautioned.
"Huh, sure, he's a right winger and I'm a left-back, so I'll keep an eye out. But aren't you covering behind me, Thomas?" the braided player chuckled casually.
Central defender Thomas shrugged, a bit resigned after fulfilling his duty to warn.
"Anyway, be careful. Don't let him waltz into the box so easily," the center-back emphasized.
"Relax, he won't get past me," the braided player declared confidently, staring challengingly at Yang Yang.
They were well aware that Yang Yang was the pivotal player who had propelled Almere into the quarter-finals of the competition. His performances had also garnered attention from several clubs, including Ajax, who had sent their youth coaching staff and some members of the first team coaching staff to watch him play. With all these influential figures watching, no one wanted to falter.
The opportunity to impress and potentially secure a spot in the first team was on everyone's mind—why wouldn't they give their best?
Given the strength of Ajax's youth squad and the scrutiny from numerous coaches, both youth and first team, failing to defeat Almere would call into question their readiness for first team football.
"I'm going to shut you down completely today and earn my spot in the first team," declared the left-back confidently.
Yang Yang observed the left-back with interest, noticing the braided hair cascading down his back. To him, this hairstyle harked back to the likes of Ruud Gullit from the Dutch Three Musketeers era, and later, Ajax midfielder Edgar Davids, who had also sported this distinctive look that had caused quite a stir at the time.
Before him stood a dark-skinned player of similar age, his long braid catching Yang Yang's curiosity, causing a smile to play on his lips.
"What are you laughing at?" the player with braided hair asked, a hint of discomfort in his voice. He felt uneasy as Yang Yang stared at him and chuckled for no apparent reason.
"It's nothing, just... curious," Yang Yang quickly clarified.
"What's so curious?" the braided player pressed, his tone turning unfriendly. He wondered if Yang Yang was somehow mocking his skin color. If that was the case, he vowed to make Yang Yang regret it throughout the game.
Yang Yang, however, meant no offense. He smiled and replied, "Please don't misunderstand. I didn't mean anything else. I was just curious to ask you something."
"What's the question then?"
"Can I really ask?"
"Just ask already."
Yang Yang grinned, gesturing to the long braid trailing down the player's back. "Isn't it inconvenient to wash your hair like that?"
The Ajax left-back was momentarily speechless, then burst out laughing.
"This kid is really something. We're in the middle of a football match, and he's asking about washing my hair," he thought, finding Yang Yang's question amusing despite himself.
Meanwhile, center-back Thomas, who had overheard the exchange from the wing, saw his teammate grinning. He coughed twice to remind him, "Urby, we're in a game here."
Urby quickly turned around, acknowledging Thomas with a raised hand before returning his attention to Yang Yang with a tentative smile. "Do you really want to know?" he asked.
"Of course, if you don't mind," Yang Yang replied humbly.
Urby chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "Then I won't tell you."
Yang Yang shrugged nonchalantly. It didn't bother him; he hadn't been genuinely curious anyway.
In Urby's view, though, the Chinese boy's inquiry was a sign of doubt, an attempt to unsettle him.
Just then, Thomas's voice cut in from behind. "Urby, the game's starting."
True to Thomas's reminder, Almere's midfield swiftly launched a high diagonal pass, shifting the play to the right.
From the onset, Almere found themselves on the defensive, while Ajax relied on their collective strength to dominate. The attacking duo of Babel and Boukhari posed significant challenges to Almere's defense.
Babel operated as a striker, while Boukhari energized the right wing, both aiming to impress Ruud Krol and secure spots in the first team for the upcoming season.
Despite the pressure, Almere seized a moment to counterattack, swiftly maneuvering the ball out to the right.
The match had just commenced, with Yang Yang stationed on the right side of the forward line. Spotting a long pass from his midfielders, he swiftly positioned himself and controlled the ball expertly with his chest.
Ajax's left-back Urby immediately closed in on him, initiating a one-on-one battle along the flank.
With the ball at his feet, Yang Yang accelerated towards the byline, but Urby matched his pace, effectively blocking his path towards the penalty area.
Yang Yang briefly paused before accelerating again, attempting to cut inside. However, Urby reacted quickly, turning to face him and persistently shadowing his movements.
Urby possessed impressive speed, defensive acumen, and agility, making it challenging for Yang Yang to bypass him. Aware of Urby's strengths, Yang Yang remained cautious not to underestimate his opponent.
As they maneuvered near the right corner of the box, Yang Yang observed his teammates—strikers and midfielders—closing in support. Employing a series of body feints and step-overs, he deceived Urby into anticipating a move towards the center.
Expecting Yang Yang to cut inside, Urby adjusted his position defensively. However, Yang Yang suddenly flicked the ball outward, surprising Urby, and swiftly darted past him along the left flank towards the goal line.
In a blink of an eye, Yang Yang broke through Urby's defense, racing towards the bottom line.
Despite Urby's efforts to recover, Yang Yang maintained his advantage, reaching the ball on the right side of the penalty area and delivering a direct cross.
Two Almere players swiftly approached the ball in the penalty area, but the pass lacked accuracy, leading to a header by center-back Thomas that cleared the ball out of the box.
The stadium erupted in cheers—a momentous occasion marking the first penetration into the opponent's penalty area since the game began.
...
...
Sitting in the chairman's box were Ajax's youth development experts, all seasoned professionals with years of experience in the game, analyzing the unfolding events.
"His vision is impressive and his breakthrough was well executed, but the power, trajectory, and precision of that cross were lacking," remarked Fred Arroyo, known for his astute observations. "His technical fundamentals need refinement, which has been a longstanding issue, but his ability to spot his teammates in the box is commendable."
Van Basten, nodding in agreement, added, "His dribbling style resembled Ronaldo's to some extent, though not quite identical. Urbi was perhaps overconfident and lost focus, allowing him to get past too easily."
Patrick Radru chimed in with a smile, "He seems to favor the left side, doesn't he? Notice the long braid? Reminds me of Davis."
Laughter ensued among the group.
Edgar Davids is renowned as one of Europe's top defensive midfielders today, yet he made his mark primarily as an attacking force on the left flank. His exceptional dribbling prowess and knack for beating defenders were instrumental in his ability to contribute significantly to offensive maneuvers. By taking on opponents and setting up chances for his teammates, Davids became known for his dynamic play style.
Additionally, Davids' African heritage may explain why Urby Emanuelson holds such profound admiration for his predecessor. This shared background likely deepens Emanuelson's respect for Davids' achievements and impact on the game, both on and off the pitch.
"What's the name of that central defender?" Van Basten inquired of the player who had just cleared the ball into midfield.
"Thomas Vermaelen," Tonny Bruins Slot replied. "We signed him back in 2001, but he has yet to make a first-team appearance."
Van Basten nodded in acknowledgment.
While Bruins Slot's status within the team was somewhat subordinate to Van Basten's, he respected the former player's authority and often valued Van Basten's insights.
Meanwhile, Almere initiated another counter-attack.
...
...
After intercepting the ball in midfield, it was quickly played out to the right.
This time, when Yang Yang received the ball on the right flank, he deftly nudged it forward with his head and immediately accelerated to chase it down.
Ajax's defensive midfielder Maduro hurried back to defend, but Yang Yang outpaced him easily down the right wing, dribbling into the 30-meter zone and approaching Ajax's penalty area.
Urby Emmanuelson spotted Yang Yang's rapid advance and hesitated momentarily before committing to a decisive tackle.
Just as Emmanuelson attempted to intercept the ball, Yang Yang executed a clever step-over with his left foot, feinting outward before swiftly accelerating inward with his right foot, aiming to cross into the penalty area.
Emmanuelson was once again outmaneuvered by Yang Yang, his second such encounter in the match.
As Yang Yang closed in on the ball, he suddenly saw a figure charging out of the penalty area. Before he could react, the figure executed a sliding tackle, knocking the ball away and causing Yang Yang to stumble and fall to the ground.
A collective gasp echoed across the pitch. Concerned murmurs filled the air as everyone watched Yang Yang roll on the grass, wondering if he had sustained an injury.
Yang Yang lay on the turf, breathing heavily.
The repeated bursts of speed and changes of direction had left him winded and in need of a moment's respite.
After the Ajax defender, Thomas Vermaelen, helped Yang Yang to his feet, Yang Yang grinned at him and chuckled, acknowledging the challenge he posed.
"That slide tackle you just made scared me," Yang Yang remarked.
"You also scared me when you got past Emmanuelson," Vermaelen replied with a light-hearted tone.
Vermaelen's comment revealed that he was surprised by Yang Yang's ability to bypass Emmanuelson so effortlessly, which was beyond his expectations.
"I'm Yang Yang," Yang Yang introduced himself.
"Thomas Vermaelen," the Ajax defender replied in return.
Suddenly, another voice cut in: "My name is Urby Emmanuelson, and you won't pass me next time!"
Yang Yang turned to see Emmanuelson glaring at him. In response, Yang Yang raised his right hand in apology, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
It was indeed an honor for offensive players to be remembered and targeted by their opponents, but Yang Yang took it in stride without any concern.
As Ajax regained possession and launched another attack, Yang Yang swiftly returned to defense in his own half. Glancing back at Vermaelen, he felt a surge of excitement.
Vermaelen proved to be a tougher opponent to get past compared to Emmanuelson, but Yang Yang thrived on the challenge presented by strong defenders like him.
"The Ajax youth team is really strong," Yang Yang thought to himself, acknowledging the formidable competition they faced.