Who can play and when they can play are all matters that the head coach has the final say on.

Joly's current actions are undoubtedly challenging his authority as the head coach, and he is doing it in front of other players.

But……

Wilkinson took a deep breath and said in a comforting tone: "Jolly, don't be affected by off-field factors. This is our away game. This is what away games are like in high school competitions without cameras. Besides, it's still early in the game. The score is only 1:1 now. We will take the lead again."

"Coach! Did you hear what those country bumpkins are singing?" Cholly's eyes were red.

Wilkinson said, "I heard you, but I hope you stay calm. This is just the group stage. We have already qualified. They are the ones who should be anxious. You main players should now consider having a good rest, and then how to play better against the opponents in the round of 16 - there is still a long way to go, don't forget that our goal is to be the national champion!"

Jolly panted heavily for a few times and finally calmed down, "Okay coach, I'll listen to you."

Wilkinson breathed a sigh of relief.

Being a coach for these noble young masters is really exhausting...

The game continues.

The humiliated Golden Fleece intensified their offensive.

The Bucks Steelhorns team also got rid of their previous defensive posture and played back and forth with the Golden Fleece team.

In the 43rd minute of the game, Gu Ran made a precise long pass from the left, and the blind man received the ball on the right and passed it to the glider.

Unfortunately, the glider failed to hold the ball, and Gu Ran's long pass was wasted.

In the injury time of the first half, the Golden Fleece team got a set-piece opportunity about 40 meters away from the goal in a crazy attack.

The Golden Fleece team's defensive midfielder kicked the ball towards the back of the Bucks Steelhorns team's penalty area. Gu Ran held off two Golden Fleece players who rushed up to score, giving Rusty Strips a chance to clear the ball with a header.

Rusty kicked the ball cleanly out of the sideline.

Gu Ran and Xiu Tiao high-fived to encourage each other! The students in the stands cheered wildly for their performance! After 5 minutes of stoppage time, the first half of the game ended.

The score between the two sides is temporarily tied at 1:1.

The players of the Golden Fleece Team left the field dejectedly amid the loud singing of "There is a handsome Oriental man named Gu Ran."

The players of the Bucks Steelhorns returned to the home team's locker room with high morale.

Coach Carter led the applause, "Everyone played well in the first half! Keep up the momentum in the second half!"

"Yes! Coach!"

Coach Carter added, "Hurry up and take a rest. I'll take this opportunity to explain to you the tactical changes for the second half... Gu, I'll tell you about your tactical arrangements later. Go with Maria for physical therapy first!"

At this point, Gu Ran's physical fitness has affected the entire team, and there must not be any problems.

Gu Ran himself knew the importance of physical fitness, and quickly said, "Okay, coach."

Teacher Maria smiled at Gu Ran, "Come on, follow me."

There was no physical therapy room in the home team's locker room, so Teacher Maria cleaned up a spare room next to the home team's locker room in advance and added a physical therapy bed overnight.

Gu Ran was very touched.

Without waiting for Teacher Maria to ask anything, Gu Ran lay down on the therapy bed skillfully.

This is not the first time for everyone, so the real thing is to save time and spend more time in treatment.

Teacher Maria couldn't help but chuckle when she saw Gu Ran's skillful movements. "You are like a beast on the court, but you are so cute off the court. I really like you."

Gu Ran: ...

Don't tease, it's mainly because my body can't take it...

Teacher Maria took out the physiotherapy essential oil and gave Gu Ran a leg physiotherapy skillfully while looking at him with stars in her eyes. "Gu, you are so great! The player from the Golden Fleece team is so strong, but he couldn't even hit you. Why do I feel... your muscles are harder than the last time I gave you physiotherapy?"

Teacher Maria, are you sure you are talking about muscles?

Gu Ran's throat moved and he changed the subject, "...Teacher Maria, um...there is something I want to ask you for a favor - or let's forget about it and talk about it after the competition."

Teacher Maria pretended to be angry, "You are so annoying! You only finish your sentence halfway, which makes me feel itchy! If you want me to do something, just say it boldly. I won't blame you."

Gu Ran thought about it and said, "Forget it, let's wait until the game is over - ah!"

Teacher Maria pinched Gu Ran's thigh muscles and asked, "Will you tell me?"

Damn...so sour and refreshing!

Gu Ran hurriedly said: "Tell me...Teacher Maria, let go first."

Teacher Maria then let go of her hand with pride.

Gu Ran took a breath and said, "Teacher Maria, I just want to ask, are you, are you, are you free tonight?"

After asking this question, Gu Ran suddenly felt his face getting hot.

The atmosphere in the therapy room also became somewhat ambiguous.

...This shouldn’t be the case. I’m an old hand.

It’s all the fault of the young body!

Teacher Maria's pretty face was tense, and she said in a cold voice: "Oh? Gu, did I hear you right? Are you actively asking me out? You are a student, and you dare to ask a teacher out? I told you to be bold, but you are too bold!"

As she spoke, Teacher Maria pressed hard on Gu Ran's calf.

But Gu Ran knew very well in his heart that if Teacher Maria was really angry, it would be more than just this.

As the saying goes, as long as you are brave, the teacher will let you...

Gu Ran cleared his throat and explained, "You misunderstood Teacher Maria. I invited you to my house because I bought a set of liquid nitrogen freezing space capsule equipment. Someone came to install it this afternoon. After the installation is completed, I would like you to show me how to operate it..."

Phew!

Teacher Maria laughed so hard that her body shook. "Alright, alright, look how nervous you are! I was just teasing you, you little idiot! Besides, it's not like I don't agree, so what excuses are you making? Can a high school student like you afford a liquid nitrogen-frozen space capsule?"

Gu Ran said seriously: "Yes, I can afford it."

Teacher Maria smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I know you can afford it. Are you satisfied? Don't worry, I promise you, I'll go. After the competition is over, give me the address of your new home and I'll go and operate your...space capsule for you."

As she spoke, Teacher Maria winked at Gu Ran meaningfully.

Eh? Why does it seem more and more wrong the more I talk?

Teacher Maria, you misunderstood. The space capsule is not a dirty word!

I really do have a space capsule! I really need you to help me...

Gu Ran felt that he hadn't explained it clearly.

Forget it, if I can’t explain it clearly, then I won’t explain it. Anyway, everything will be solved after nightfall.

Well…it will all unravel.

Then I heard Teacher Maria said softly: "Close your eyes quickly and have a good rest. Don't be distracted by thinking about the evening. Keep playing well in the second half."

"Yeah." Gu Ran immediately closed his eyes and tried to relax as much as possible.

In the first half, the Golden Fleece team was tied 1:1. In the second half, the Golden Fleece team will definitely fight back desperately.

And it is very likely that the Golden Fleece team will replace their main players during the fatigue period of the last 15 minutes of the game.

Only then will it be the real test.

Therefore, we must expand our advantage as early as possible in the second half.

It would be best to suppress the Golden Fleece Team.

There are 2 talent points left on the scene, one of which must be reserved for the physical attribute.

The remaining one should be used according to the situation.

hiss……

So cool...

Gu Ran closed his eyes and felt his legs getting hotter and hotter as he rubbed them, until the hair on his legs seemed to be burning.

After a full 10 minutes, Gu Ran felt that the muscle fatigue in his legs had almost completely disappeared.

This is equivalent to regaining 10 minutes of physical energy! Gu Ran said sincerely: "Teacher Maria, thank you!"

"Let's not say thank you to each other," Maria wiped the sweat from her cheeks with the back of her hand, and looked up at Gu Ran who stood up, "You know what I want..."

This look, this tone, this gesture...

And this double entendre...

Compared to the last time, it was even more exciting! For a moment, Gu Ran almost couldn't control himself and lifted up Teacher Maria's chin, then kissed her slightly opened flaming red lips.

However, Gu Ran finally held back.

Gu Ran smiled at Maria and said, "Wait for me."

After saying that, Gu Ran turned around and walked out of the physiotherapy room and returned to the home team's locker room.

Maria covered her wildly beating chest, her mind filled with Gu Ran's charming smile.

“This guy…” Maria murmured in a trembling voice, “He actually teased me…”

In the home team's locker room.

"Gu! You're back just in time." Carter grabbed Gu Ran and pointed at the tactical board and quickly explained: "In the second half, I will let Ximei switch positions with you. You will play as the left midfielder. I need you to keep interspersing in the frontcourt. I need you to catch the ball, and I need you to pass the ball and break the Golden Fleece team's zone defense - can you do it?"

This position-changing tactic had been practiced in previous training, so Gu Ran and Ximei were not unfamiliar with it.

However, when they were practicing, it was just a position change during a certain attack, but now it is a position change for the entire second half.

The new position is undoubtedly a huge test for Gu Ran.

The most important thing in the midfield is actually passing the ball - and coincidentally, Gu Ran got a skill of stopping the ball sideways for free in the first half.

Add to that my experience as a striker in my previous life and my football IQ...

Gu Ran immediately said confidently: "Coach! I have no problem!"

Carter patted Gu Ran's shoulder excitedly, "Gu, I believe in your ability and talent! Come on in the second half! In addition, if you have the opportunity to get into the penalty area, and if you judge that your position gives you a better chance of shooting, I will allow you to shoot!"

Oh shit!

This gives the right to fire! Although the right to fire is not much, you must be sure of your shot before you can fire, but this is already a big step forward!

Coach Carter, you really dare to use me!

Then I will definitely not let you down!

Gu Ran took a deep breath and said, "Coach, I will definitely play well!"

"Okay!" Coach Carter clapped his hands, "Everyone come over and gather!"

All the main players came together and formed a circle, with their arms around each other's shoulders.

"Steel Horn of a Stag—"

"Invincible——"

"Turning the Golden Fleece into a Silver Baldhead!"

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

"Go on stage!"

The whole team was full of enthusiasm and walked out of the home team's locker room full of fighting spirit!

The 15-minute halftime break was over, and players from both teams returned to the field, exchanged venues, and continued the game.

All the players of the Golden Fleece Team had gloomy faces.

beep--

At the start of the second half, the Bucks Steelhorns took the first kickoff.

As soon as the whistle sounded, the sissy passed the ball to Gu Ran on the left.

Gu Ran's position was swapped with Ximei's. Gu Ran no longer needed to dribble the ball from the backcourt. Instead, he took the ball near the midline and started at high speed! This change in formation made the Bucks' offense more concise and quick.

The Golden Fleece Team didn't react at all! They never expected Gu Ran to be mentioned as the left midfielder!

The Golden Fleece's left side defense was in chaos, and almost all defensive players were gathering towards the left side.

The right winger of the Golden Fleece slid towards Gu Ran fiercely, and Gu Ran kicked him hard, then sprinted at high speed! Here he comes - the black-haired Bale! The famous scene of passing the ball to himself three seconds later!

Gu Ran directly overtook in the outside lane!

The right winger of the Golden Fleece couldn't even tackle Gu Ran and he slid out of the sideline in embarrassment!

Another Golden Fleece's defensive midfielder quickly filled the position and slid again!

Gu Ran was well prepared. He pointed his toes, then made a quick turn, avoiding the sliding tackle of the Golden Fleece's midfielder and cutting inside!

This set of micro-manipulations ignited the passion of the Southampton students in the stands! English football has always advocated physical confrontation, but being able to show micro-manipulation-level technical details in physical confrontation is even more crazy!

In particular, Gu Ran made two fierce sliding tackles in one breath!

This scene is so cool!

Some boys knelt directly on the stands to cheer for Gu Ran!

The girls' voices were hoarse from shouting, and their chests were beating so hard that they hurt!

Who would have thought that Gu Ran would be so powerful at the beginning of the second half! Teacher Maria leaned against the wall and murmured, "It's all my credit..."

In the blink of an eye, the two points of the Golden Fleece team's zone defense were out of position! The Golden Fleece's zone defense instantly became like a pile of loose sand! Gu Ran dribbled directly inside at high speed and cut to the top of the arc outside the penalty area!

Seeing that Gu Ran was about to force his way into the penalty area, Coach Wilkinson on the sidelines couldn't help but yell and command the players to tighten their defense.

The players of the Golden Fleece Team were indeed very fast in returning to defense. When Gu Ran looked up and read the situation, two Golden Fleece Team members had already surrounded him from both sides and were only three or five body lengths away from Gu Ran.

In front of Gu Ran, the shooting angle was completely blocked.

Minato was blocked outside the penalty area. Although Sissy and Glider had infiltrated the penalty area, there were defensive players around them - even the angle for passing the ball forward was blocked.

In this case, the rest of the team is not strong enough, at least not as strong as the Golden Fleece’s defensive players.

Of course, if Gu Ran had unlimited firing rights and was confident in his shooting skills, he could have taken the ball and shot on his own.

However, Gu Ran only has limited right to fire, not unlimited right to fire.

Moreover, Gu Ran was still a little unfamiliar with his ball-guarding and shooting techniques from his previous life.

So this time, Gu Ran was not in a hurry to fight hard.

The temporary left-back Ximei has come up to assist. This position is naturally very good for Ximei, and the defense on the left side was also attracted back to the middle because of Gu Ran's cut-in just now.

So, Gu Ran immediately and cleverly passed the ball back to the left.

At this time, the ball was passed to the left and Simeone took it very comfortably.

After Ximei got the ball, he immediately went down the line. Gu Ran did not return to defense, but ran directly into the penalty area.

Gu Ran's penetration immediately attracted the attention of at least three defensive players.

The glider also took the opportunity to move forward!

Ximei made a cross near the baseline——

The glider jumped high and stopped the ball with his back and chest!

As a center, his shooting is indeed a bit bad, but his back-to-the-basket ball-stopping skills are still good.

The tactical strategy of the Bucks Steelers is to use the center as the fulcrum for passing and receiving the ball in the penalty area!

After the glider stopped the ball, he immediately turned around and passed it to the middle of the penalty area! Minato immediately inserted from the right! However, the glider's passing intention was too obvious. The goalkeeper of the Golden Fleece team jumped directly and pressed the ball under Minato before he could touch the ball.

It must be said that the goalkeeper of the Golden Fleece Team was very decisive! The frontcourt players of the Bucks Steel Horns Team immediately covered their faces and sighed.

This is a very good opportunity!

Gu Ran had already torn the Golden Fleece's zone defense into holes. Gu Ran's distribution of the ball and attracting defense were also very powerful. It was a pity that the players in the frontcourt were not strong enough and failed to seize such a good opportunity.

Gu Ran, on the other hand, looked indifferent. He turned around and returned to his defensive position while applauding Ximei, Glider and others.

The Southampton students in the stands also applauded the home team's offensive performance and continued to sing "There is a handsome Oriental man named Gu Ran."

In this wave, the Golden Fleece Team was so scared that they were trembling with fear.

Yes, they did hold off the previous wave of attacks.

But if the level of the Bucks Steelhorns' frontcourt attackers was a little bit higher, if the glider's pass was a little bit faster, and if Watergate's shot in front of the goal was a little bit faster, the Golden Fleece's players would definitely not be able to defend!

Kicking like this...it's too scary!

Is this really a weak team in the fourth tier?

Why did the black-haired full-back become a wing midfielder as time went on?

Being a winger is not the scariest thing. The key is that this Chinese kid is too fast. It is impossible to tackle him even if you want to!

Moreover, his cut-in was so smooth that he specifically chose to cut into the defensive loopholes. If you weren't careful, it would be a fatal pass.

The players on the Golden Fleece team were clearly lacking in confidence.

The game continues.

Gu Ran retreated to the left back area to defend.

The Golden Fleece can only make a move on the right side...

In the next ten minutes or so, the offensive and defensive rhythms of both sides changed very quickly, and the physical energy of the players on both sides was also consumed a lot.

Under Gu Ran's instigation, the Bucks Steel Horns launched several fatal attacks in succession.

The Golden Fleece Team's defense was riddled with holes after being attacked by Gu Ran.

As the game time was decreasing, the Golden Fleece team still couldn't find their confidence. On the contrary, the Bucks Steel Horns team became more and more courageous.

Under the instigation of Gu Ran, the Bucks Steel Horns team launched three sharp fast breaks in a row!

One time, the shot even hit the goal post and almost scored a goal! For most of the second half, the Bucks Steel Horns team pressed the Golden Fleece team!

The Southampton students in the stands sang and danced happily: "There was a handsome Oriental man named Gu Ran. He also knocked down Jolly the Golden Fleece. Gu Ran sprinted and passed the ball to himself three seconds later. Jolly could only sit on the bench and eat the exhaust gas! Jolly could only sit on the bench and eat the exhaust gas!"

This song has evolved again!

Sitting on the bench, Jolly angrily crushed the mineral water bottle in his hand and threw it to the ground.

"Coach!" Jolly yelled with red eyes, "I can't stand it anymore! I want to go on the court! I want to beat those country bumpkins! I want those country bumpkins to leave this stadium crying!"

Wilkinson touched his nose to hide his inner anxiety, "Jolly, calm down--"

Jolly said angrily: "I can't calm down! Coach, did you hear what they are singing in the lyrics? They are humiliating me!"

Wilkinson nodded and said, "I'm not deaf, of course I heard it. But Jolly, we've already qualified, there's really no need for you to waste your energy and mess up your mind for this insignificant game."

Jolly said angrily, "Coach! The lyrics aren't about you! If it were you, I don't believe you would be so calm!"

The muscles in Wilkinson's face twitched slightly.

At this moment he realized that the order in the Golden Fleece team's locker room was out of control.

As a head coach, he should use thunderous means to maintain his dignity, but if he really suppresses Jolly, the consequences may be serious.

Wilkinson sighed, "Well, these southern bumpkins are indeed too arrogant, so let's teach them a lesson - Jolly, Gavin, the two of you, go warm up!"

"Yes! Coach!"

"Finally! Hahaha!"

"There are 20 minutes left. 20 minutes is enough to defeat them!"

"We're going to make these arrogant, stinking rednecks pay the price!"

Jolly, was the captain and forward striker of the Golden Fleece.

Gavin, who is 192 cm tall, is the main defensive midfielder/central defender.

Both of them are the trump cards of the Golden Fleece team, and are also semi-professional players trained by Aston Villa's youth team.

When these two come on the court, the Golden Fleece team will immediately become different.

While the two of them were warming up, the Southampton students in the stands booed wildly.

Coach Carter frowned slightly and muttered, "Wilkinson, you old bastard, you still want to win all three games?"

This is the situation that Coach Carter is most worried about. If the team plays too hard in the first half, it will be easy for the Golden Fleece team to replace their main players in the second half.

To be honest, the strength of the Bucks Steelhorns is not enough to compete with the first-tier Golden Fleece Team.

Coach Carter's heart couldn't help but tighten...

At this time, the game on the field is still going on.

Substitutions can only be made when the ball is dead.

The game has now reached the 73rd minute, and this period of time is also the point when the physical fitness of players on both sides begins to decline seriously.

After a fierce battle on the wing, Hua Luo on the right side successfully intercepted the ball in the chaos and passed it to the midfielder.

Bread didn't even hesitate, and kicked directly to the left front court! The Bucks Steel Horns' quick counterattack came again! Gu Ran didn't drag his feet at all, while running forward like the wind to chase the landing point, he concentrated his mind and added the third talent point directly to the physical attribute!

The physical attribute was increased from 64 points to 65 points! At this moment, Gu Ran felt like he had recovered a large amount of blood!

Gu Ran's sprint speed was even faster! Bread's long pass was more than 40 meters away, and the first landing point was more than 10 meters away from Gu Ran. The Golden Fleece right winger on the opposite side had also started, desperately coming up to fight for the ball!

For the Golden Fleece right winger, it doesn’t matter whether he can control the ball or not, as long as he kicks the ball out of the sideline and causes a dead ball, his mission is accomplished!

But Gu Ran’s sprinting speed was so fast that it made people’s scalp tingle!

Gu Ran rushed to the first landing point, turned sideways, and used the tip of his right foot to rub against the bottom of the falling football! The football immediately passed over the head of the Golden Fleece right winger like a rainbow! The Golden Fleece right winger was stunned!

Sideways stop plus rainbow pass, all done in one go! Jolly, who was warming up on the sidelines, was also dumbfounded: Isn't this the skill of sideways stop that he spent a lot of time and energy day and night to master?

The Southampton students in the stands cheered like crazy! This stop and lob was so cool!

What’s even cooler is that the ball landed in a very good spot and was caught by Minato who was supporting from the middle!

Minato dribbled the ball straight into the Golden Fleece team’s penalty area!

The Bucks Steelhorns' fast break was very sharp, with only two Golden Fleece center backs in the penalty area.

After Gu Ran passed the ball to Shuimen, he used his speed to quickly pass the Golden Fleece's right winger and cut into the penalty area from the left!

At this moment, it’s 2v2 in the Golden Fleece penalty area!

Minato dribbled the ball to the left, attracting one of the central defenders to come up and press, and then suddenly kicked the ball horizontally in front of the goal!

Minato passed the ball to Gu Ran! Gu Ran accelerated and rushed to the front of the goal to grab the point——

There is a chance! There is a chance!!! …

(End of this chapter)