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Chapter 05— The Hat-Trick
Date:2003,U17 World Cup Finland
Su Long felt the weight of the simulated career he had just seen, but now was not the time to reflect. This was still the match.
〖 Simulation ends. Current attributes: Physical 15, Technical 10, Mental 8. 〗
He also received a glimpse of his peak attributes:
〖 At 20 years old: Physical 16 〗
〖 At 30 years old: Technical 17 〗
〖 At 30 years old: Mental 15 〗
"The physical and technical peaks of an athlete rarely overlap," Su Long muttered. "But I have the system. I can reach the summit of both body and skill—and even mentally—simultaneously."
His eyes flashed with determination.
When the system offered him a choice, he didn't hesitate.
"I choose technical properties!"
〖 Current attributes updated: Physical 15, Technical 17, Mental 8. 〗
Instantly, twelve years of technical experience poured into his mind—headers, volleys, free-kicks, long shots. The tiniest details, things he had never noticed before, became instinct. Compared to this new self, his old skills felt like child's play.
——
Back on the pitch, Su Long received the ball under pressure from two Mexicans. He stopped it effortlessly, smiled, and slipped right between them.
"Good ball!" shouted the coaches from the bench.
He crossed toward the middle, though the teammate squandered the chance with a weak shot into the goalkeeper's arms.
Still, scouts scribbled furiously. Some smiled, some frowned, but none took their eyes off the Chinese striker.
——
88th minute. Time was running out.
Su Long drove again at the Mexican defense. This time he carried the ball to the byline, smashed it off a defender's legs, and earned another corner.
No. 7 stepped up to deliver. The ball dropped into a crowded penalty box. Chaos followed.
The ball fell loose. Su Long reacted first, striking cleanly. It deflected off a defender's calf, wrong-footing the keeper—
Goal!
Su Long roared, snatched the ball from the net, and sprinted to the center circle. He wasn't celebrating—he wanted to win real bad.
From the bench, head coach Liu Ming clapped with a smile. But inside, he sighed. When I get back, I'll be criticized to death. How do I explain keeping this kid on the bench until now?
Still, watching Su Long place the ball for a kickoff, even Liu Ming's heart skipped. Don't tell me… he's still thinking about another goal?
——
The fans, who had been ready to leave early in anger, were now on their feet waving the Chinese flag, singing the anthem.
The scouts also leaned forward. Notes forgotten, they stared at the red-shirted teenager who had already scored a hat-trick.
——
〖 Ding! Congratulations to the host for scoring! Achievement Points +1. 〗
〖 Do you wish to use the Football Career Simulator? One use now costs 10 Achievement Points. 〗
"The price increased?" Su Long frowned. But he had no time to think. There were barely minutes left.
——
The fourth official raised his board: 1 minute of stoppage time.
Mexico's players and coaches exhaled in relief. A draw seemed secure. On China's bench, Liu Ming also relaxed slightly.
But fate had other plans.
The Mexicans misplaced a pass—straight to a Chinese midfielder.
Su Long's hair bristled. "Big kick forward!" he roared.
Startled, the teammate passed, launching the ball into Mexico's half.
Eleven Mexican players turned —only to see a shadow in red streaking past.
It was Su Long.
The goalkeeper rushed out desperately. The entire stadium held its breath as the teenager bore down on goal, every stride faster than the last.
——
Everyone rose to their feet—fans, scouts, substitutes, even the coaching staff.
Liu Ming's heart pounded. Don't tell me… is he going to score again?
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