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Chapter 16: The First Matchday Gift
November 17th – Match Day, Germany
Su Long had just arrived at the stadium when his phone rang.
"Happy Birthday, Su!
It was his mother's voice.
"Has the game started?" she asked.
Su Long smiled. "Can I still answer your phone when the game starts? Your son, I'm a starter today!"
"Son, you must listen to the coach and play well."
His father's voice came from the other end: "Our side is too backward, there's no broadcast, we can't watch. Come on!"
Su Long nodded. "Hmm."
Beep.
The call ended.
"Son, mom won't say much, take care of your body, eat well. Hanging up now!"
Beep.
Su Long put his phone away, smiling faintly.
His teammate Kretschmer walked over, patting him on the shoulder. "Nervous? I was nervous the first time I came here."
Nervous?
Su Long thought for a moment, then shook his head. His heart was not filled with fear — but with fighting intent.
Today was his birthday, and also his first official game in Germany. He wanted to give himself an unforgettable debut.
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"Su! Come on!"
While Su Long was doing warm-up exercises near the stadium's edge, he suddenly heard cheering. Looking up at the stands, he spotted several of the blonde girls from his class, waving at him excitedly.
He was slightly stunned. Weren't they Bayern Munich fans?
The corner of his mouth curled into a smile. He waved back at them before resuming his warm-up.
The blonde girl immediately shouted, "Su is from China!"
The middle-aged uncle next to her looked puzzled. "Is this kid Japanese?"
The blonde girl shook her head quickly. "No, Su is Chinese!"
When the uncle heard that, he scoffed. "Chinese? Chinese football is weak. And he's actually a starter for Oe? Must be some new kid."
The blonde girl pouted. "Who said Su can't do it? He's amazing!"
The uncle smirked. "Little girl, you don't understand football. Forget it."
"Hmm, if you don't believe me, just wait and see."
Her friend leaned closer. "Nelly, have you ever actually seen Su Long play?"
"No."
"So how are you so sure he's good?"
"Of course he is! Su Long is the best, of course, I just know it!!!. If he's already in the starting lineup he must also be good at football.
"You're right."
The uncle overheard their conversation and rolled his eyes.
Not far away, a man in a black trench coat glanced at the blonde girls, then withdrew his gaze. He was a scout from Bayern Munich, attending today's match to observe Werder Bremen C's hopeful stars: No. 10 Kevin Wittek and No. 11 Matthew Dansk.
As for a newly promoted team like Oe, he wasn't interested. Such small clubs rarely produced anyone worth watching.
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On the sidelines, Oe's starters had finished warming up and gathered around coach Eller.
"Remember, we're playing defensive counter-attack," Eller instructed.
"Pay attention to their No. 10 and No. 11. Kevin Wittek and Matthew Dansk."
"Kevin Wittek, recruited from Carl Zeiss Jena FC last season, has a delicate technique and dangerous passing. He likes to dribble, so double-mark him when necessary."
"Matthew Dansk has a weaker technique, but his strength and speed are top-notch for his age. His defensive sense is excellent — he's Wittek's shield. Don't try to fight him head-on."
Eller's eyes landed on Su Long. He worried that Su Long, full of energy, might recklessly clash with Dansk. Training matches were nothing like real games. If Su Long faltered, Eller would have to reassess his true ability.
Soon, the match was about to begin.
Both Oe II and Werder Bremen C lined up neatly on the pitch.
"Sue, come on!"
The stands were sparse, but the shouts of the blonde girls echoed loudly. Only a few scouts and true diehard fans attended games between the second and third teams.
The players from Werder Bremen C glanced over with disdain. Coming from a Bundesliga powerhouse, they viewed themselves as future stars. Facing a second team from a third-rate club like Oe? This was nothing more than target practice.
For them, the only question was whether they'd win by four goals… or five.
Kevin Wittek, their No. 10, chuckled to his partner Matthew Dansk. "How about we score right away and make those blonde girls scream louder?"
"Good!" Dansk smirked.
The referee's whistle blew.
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Oe II had the opening kick-off.
No. 11 Blackpool tapped the ball to Su Long.
Su Long stopped the ball under his foot. Immediately, Werder Bremen's No. 10 and No. 11 rushed to surround him.
Dansk sneered. "Is this Chinese kid frozen already?"
"Su Long, pass it back!" Blackpool shouted anxiously.
But then his eyes widened.
Su Long smoothly poked the ball through Dansk's legs — a nutmeg! — before bursting past on the outside.
A human-ball split.
"Don't—!" Blackpool's warning came too late.
Though Su Long had shown flashes of brilliance in training, real matches were another matter. Starting with such a bold move could only mean inexperience.
Blackpool quickly retreated, bracing for the counterattack once Su Long lost possession.
Dansk, however, grinned wickedly. No one had ever beaten him this way before. Everyone who tried ended up flattened.
"Kid, you're asking for it!"
He lowered his shoulder and slammed into Su Long—
But instead of Su Long falling, it was Dansk himself who bounced off and collapsed to the turf!
Gasps erupted around the pitch.
Su Long barely staggered before regaining balance.
The second defender slid in desperately — easily sidestepped.
The third defender lunged, tugging at Su Long's shirt — shrugged off like nothing.
Because it was still kickoff, Werder Bremen's formation was high upfield. Now, with three men beaten, no defenders stood in Su Long's way!
"Oh shit, you useless lot!"
The Bremen goalkeeper rushed out in panic.
But Su Long lifted his foot, launching the ball skyward.
It floated smoothly over the keeper's head.
The keeper's eyes widened in horror.
It was over.
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