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Chapter 03— A Corner is the Key
On the bench at the sidelines, head coach Liu Ming said doubtfully to the assistant coach next to him:
"This Su Long can, ah."
The assistant coach nodded. "Yeah, in training games he didn't play much. I didn't expect him to perform so well in a real match."
Liu Ming groaned and then turned to the player who was still warming up.
"You continue warming up."
He had originally planned to substitute Su Long, but he hadn't expected him to score.
Now, if he insisted on replacing him, it would surely cause a terrible reaction from both fans and players.
So, he decided to wait and see.
Su Long, having just celebrated, calmed his excitement.
〖Ding! Congratulations to the host for scoring a goal!〗
〖Reward: +1 Achievement Point〗
He glanced up at the scoreboard—still 15 minutes left in the match.
There was still time… still a chance to score more goals!
But before that, he needed to simulate.
Su Long knew that this option reward would shape his entire football career.
And from what he had seen so far, the biggest key was simple—a corner kick.
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〖Simulation begins ...〗
In 2003, at the age of 17, you followed the Chinese U-17 National Team to the World Cup in Finland.
After waiting two games, you finally appeared in the second half of the third match, scoring once.
The opponents adjusted, placing 2–3 men to guard you at all times. Even so, you managed another goal before the final whistle.
The team lost 2–3 and was eliminated, but your 2 goals equaled the U-17 national record. You became the only bright spot for China.
In 2004, at 18, you joined Jinmen Datong's youth team. Your debut saw you score twice—your future looked promising.
But some senior teammates grew resentful, criticizing you for being selfish and not passing.
Soon after, in training, a reckless tackle shattered your Achilles tendon.
In 2006, at 20, after two years of injury, you returned but were no longer the same. No explosiveness, no rhythm.
You were released, and no second-division team wanted you. Trials failed, one after another.
In 2008, at 22, you gave up. You returned home and became a P.E. teacher at a primary school.
Your football career ended there.
〖Simulation ends〗
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Su Long's face turned stiff.
"This one's even worse than the last…"
It wasn't the world-class defenders who destroyed him, but his own teammates' black feet in training.
Cruel, realistic, and painfully social.
〖Current Attributes〗
Physical: 15
Technical: 10
Mental: 8
Shooting: 11
Passing: 9
In his mind's eye, he suddenly saw himself at 22, standing on a small grass pitch, teaching children how to kick a ball.
This experience was telling him one thing clearly:
Don't be naïve—beware of dirty tackles, even from teammates.
But more importantly… it showed him the way to break the game.
A corner.
Don't recklessly charge into the penalty area.
This referee is toxic—he'll call you a diver before giving you a penalty.
But corner kicks? That was different.
No matter how they defended, they couldn't target him properly there.
He was physically stronger than the other 17-year-olds on the field, and in a crowded corner situation, it was his greatest weapon.
"A corner kick is the key to breaking the game…
I can still score again before this match ends!"
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