During the preseason training phase, Villarreal B Team welcomed their second friendly opponent: Huesca.
This team also came from the Segunda División, and their strength was not to be underestimated.
Before the match, Rivaldo arranged the starting lineup, with Pau Torres appearing as a starting center-back, while Lin Feng sat on the bench, awaiting his opportunity.
After the match began, both sides engaged in fierce competition. Huesca showed a strong attacking desire, attempting to break through Villarreal B Team's defense with quick passes. Pau Torres cooperated closely with his teammates, defending tightly and giving the opponent no openings.
However, in the 30th minute of the match, an accident occurred. Lopez, another center-back for Villarreal B Team, was injured in a tackle. He accidentally hit his eyebrow bone during a header challenge in the backfield, creating a gash from which blood flowed profusely.
Although Villarreal B Team's team doctor provided some simple treatment for Lopez's injury, and the latter expressed his willingness to continue playing, Head Coach Rivaldo opted for caution. He chose to substitute Lopez at halftime.
In the team's locker room, Rivaldo looked at Lopez, his gaze then falling on Lin Feng. When his eyes met Lin Feng's, he saw the determination in the player's eyes.
"You'll replace Lopez in the second half!" Rivaldo told Lin Feng with an authoritative tone.
Then, Rivaldo looked at Lin Feng and Pau Torres again, continuing, "This match is very important. We need to test our training results through practical combat. You two must defend well and not give the opponent any chances."
Lin Feng and Pau Torres exchanged glances, both feeling the tension and anticipation in their hearts. They knew that this match was not only about personal honor but also a test of the team's overall strength.
After the second half began, Huesca displayed a strong attacking desire. Their players quickly passed the ball, attempting to tear open Villarreal B Team's defense. Lin Feng and Pau Torres cooperated closely, defending tightly and giving the opponent no openings.
During a corner kick attack, one of Huesca's players headed the ball, which flew directly towards Villarreal B Team's goal. At this critical moment, Pau Torres rushed forward like a flash of lightning, leaped high, and headed the ball out of the dangerous area. His reaction speed and excellent defensive skills amazed the coaches and teammates on the sidelines.
Lin Feng was not to be outdone; he displayed steady technique and excellent predictive ability in defense. Whether in one-on-one defense or covering for teammates, he handled every detail perfectly. His performance also earned unanimous praise from coaches and teammates.
After 90 minutes of fierce battle, Villarreal B Team ultimately narrowly defeated Huesca 2-1. After the match, the coach highly praised Lin Feng and Pau Torres's performance: "You two performed exceptionally well today, making significant contributions to the team. But remember, this is only part of preseason training; the real challenges are yet to come."
At the end of the match, enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted on the field. Villarreal B Team's players hugged each other, celebrating the victory. And among the crowd, one figure stood out, that was Lin Feng.
Head Coach Rivaldo stood on the sidelines, his gaze never leaving Lin Feng. He watched Lin Feng's every move on the field, every defensive and offensive moment, and couldn't help but marvel at the young man's talent and potential.
After the match, Rivaldo walked up to Lin Feng and patted his shoulder: "Lin Feng, you played very well today."
Lin Feng responded with a smile: "Thank you for the compliment, Coach, I will continue to work hard."
Rivaldo was silent for a moment, seemingly contemplating something important. He looked into Lin Feng's eyes and slowly said, "Lin Feng, I want to give you an opportunity."
Lin Feng's heart raced; he knew what the coach's words meant. But he tried to remain calm, not immediately showing his excitement.
"For the last friendly match, I want you to start," Rivaldo said.
Lin Feng's face showed surprise, but he quickly controlled his emotions: "Coach, I will definitely seize this opportunity and live up to your expectations."
Rivaldo nodded: "I believe in you. A starting position needs to be earned through performance. Are you ready?"
Lin Feng answered firmly: "Yes, Coach. I am ready."
Rivaldo smiled and patted Lin Feng's shoulder: "Good job. Now go get some good rest and prepare for the next match."
---
Just as Snyder was about to give up his career as a football agent, an ordinary friendly match changed everything. His attention was drawn to the performance of a young man, Lin Feng.
Snyder sat in the stands, clutching an expiring agent's license, his gaze constantly following Lin Feng on the field.
He watched Lin Feng dart across the field; every interception, every pass seemed so confident and decisive.
A strange excitement surged within Snyder; he felt as if the potential and talent he once possessed were reborn in Lin Feng.
Snyder felt a long-lost thrill and excitement in his body. Lin Feng's performance seemed to offer him hope for a rebirth in his agent career. He yearned for rebirth; no one likes to be unknown.
However, this excitement did not immediately translate into motivation for action. Years of setbacks and disappointments had made Snyder cautious and hesitant. He began to doubt whether he still had the ability to discover and nurture a young player, whether he still had the courage to face unknown challenges. This internal struggle and contradiction made his mood complex and heavy.
The final whistle blew, and Lin Feng left the field, passing the sparse stands to acknowledge the crowd. When their eyes met, a spark of hope reignited in Snyder's heart.
He began to imagine Lin Feng's future, his brilliance and achievements on the football field. He believed that with enough support and opportunities, Lin Feng would surely become a shining star.
This idea rekindled Snyder's passion for being a football agent. He felt his heart beat again, and his inner self was once again filled with anticipation and confidence for the future.
He decided that even though he was ready to give up his agent career, he would make one more effort for Lin Feng. He believed that with Lin Feng, his agent career would regain its brilliance.
Recalling his own playing career, it had also started gloriously. At 16, he signed a pre-professional contract with a club. If it hadn't been for that severe knee injury, he might have become a member of the club's museum's hall of fame, instead of retiring at 20.
Before meeting Lin Feng, Snyder's career as a football agent had also been a failure. Many young players from Villarreal signed with him, only to terminate their contracts. Compared to a novice agent, they preferred to work with larger agencies.
However, this chance encounter rekindled his passion for being a football agent. He decided to give himself another chance and continue to fight in this industry.
The story between the two had just begun.