When Hu Lai walked into the locker room under the rostrum of the school stadium, he saw Mao Xiao giving him a thumbs up and said to him: "Come on, Hu Lai."
And Meng Xi, who was standing next to Mao Xiao, looked at him differently than before.
Not only these two people, Hu Lai could feel that the atmosphere in the locker room had changed. In the past, except for taking risks and talking to Meng Xi about him, everyone else in the locker room basically treated him as nothing. But now
, obviously, he has become the focus of everyone's attention, and some people's eyes are even firmly fixed on himself.
It has been a weekend since the last training, and on Tuesday of the new week, the football team regrouped to start training.
And this day is also the first day that the coach said he would start special training for Hu Lai.
No one knows the specific content of the special training. Even Captain Chu Yifan and Vice Captain Yan Yan, who are close to the coach, don't know.
They all discussed it privately, but no matter what the discussion process was, the final conclusion was the same - Hu Lai's situation this time was probably in danger.
Although the head coach did not say that he would directly expel Hu Lai from the team, but after one year of basic training, Hu Lai himself might not be able to bear it and quit the team voluntarily.
In other words, this is the true purpose of the head coach. He is not a bad person, he just forces Hu Lai to give up...
Of course, the premise of all this is that Hu Lai cannot pass the special training - but there is almost no suspense that Hu Lai will not be able to pass the special training arrangement of the head coach.
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As soon as school was over, Li Qingqing carried her schoolbag and went to the stands outside the football field with Song Jiajia. Taking advantage of Song Jiajia's size advantage and everyone's prejudice and discrimination against "greasy fat men", they easily occupied an excellent position.
Just like other places, you rub shoulders with people around you, and your bodies are close to each other - there were a lot of people here to watch the training today.
"Why are there so many people?" Li Qingqing asked.
"It is said that they are all here to see Hu Lai's jokes." After Song Jiajia looked around, she curled her lips and said with disdain in her tone.
"See Hu Lai's joke?"
"Words of bad things spread thousands of miles. What happened last Thursday afternoon was spread from one person to another, and soon everyone in the school knew about it. Everyone wanted to see what the worst person in the school team was going to do.
How to face the wrath of the devil coach." Song Jiajia sighed, with a hint of the vicissitudes of time in her tone. "Oh, I remembered that Hu Lai asked me how to become a famous figure in the school, and now he is already a famous figure...
"
Li Qingqing was speechless.
After returning that night, she asked her father in a very cryptic way about how he wanted to train Hu Lai, but her father told her to think about it.
She no longer dared to show too much concern for Hu Lai in front of her father, because she had never cared so much about anyone else in the entire team.
So she didn't question her father after she went back because of his attitude. She just hoped to find out about her father's special training and then tell Hu Lai in advance or help Hu Lai think of a solution.
But I didn't expect to find out any useful information.
Because of this, she has not been able to help Hu Lai until today.
I don’t know if it’s because my father was dissatisfied with the 2:1 away performance of the opponent’s team in the third round of qualifiers, so he was so irritable.
Dongchuan Middle School did not play well in that game. Maybe it was because of the 5:0 victory in the first game and the 3:0 defeat in the second game. Everyone was a little proud and underestimated the opponent, which led to a tough battle in the third round of qualifying.
However, last weekend the team defeated its opponent Luochuan High School 2:0 in an away game. The whole team performed well. I hope this can make my father feel better.
When Dad is in a good mood, he might let Hu Lai go...
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In the previous training, the only part of Hu Lai's training with the team was the warm-up before training. After the warm-up, he had to conduct his own basic training alone.
He can complete the ball-bobbing training and dribbling training by himself, and the shooting training does not require a goalkeeper. He only needs to kick the football into the goal. However, the passing and receiving training is a little more troublesome. At the beginning, Yan Yan was arranged to go with
He cooperated, and later simply let him practice passing and receiving against the wall. Only during breaks in training with the large team would Li Ziqiang personally "coach" Hu Lai.
But today, in full view of everyone, Hu Lai was left behind after his warm-up training by Li Ziqiang.
"I said last week that I would give you a chance, and I kept my promise," said Li Ziqiang, standing in front of Hu Lai.
Hu Lai no longer begged for mercy, because begging for mercy was useless, and he still had a task waiting for him to complete.
In fact, he doesn't care much about the reward of this task. What he cares about is that completing this task means indirectly getting the chance to play, and then he can get the reward of another task.
Although the effect of only ten training sessions is improved, it is still better than none at all.
"You filled in the position of 'forward' when you entered the team, right? Then I will ask you according to the standard of forward. I know you have some talents, and I also know your current shortcomings. Don't worry, I won't set something that you can't complete at all.
To make things difficult for you through the training program. Do you think I will take this opportunity to drive you away? You underestimate me." Li Ziqiang said coldly.
"I don't think about you that much, coach. Even if I fail your test, I will be willing to do basic training for a year. I'm not being arrogant, this is my true opinion." Hu Lai faced the coach this time, but he didn't say anything.
He lowered his head again, but raised his head to look at the head coach and expressed his thoughts bluntly.
Others were secretly surprised when they saw this scene, because Hu Lai would not speak to the head coach like this in the past. Let alone Hu Lai, someone in the team dared to be so forthright and talk to the head coach in an almost equal manner.
There are not many of them. Luo Kai may be one, but he has the capital.
What about Hu Lai? How could he have this capital?
But that's what he did, and he acted very calmly and calmly when facing the head coach.
Thinking about it now, this change should have happened after he spit on the head coach's face that day, right?
Li Ziqiang did not expect that Hu Lai would talk to him in such an attitude. He snorted coldly: "You will know when the time comes whether you are being tough or not."
Then he gathered the team together: "Next, we will conduct set-piece offensive training. Note that this training can only be completed in the penalty area. When the football leaves the penalty area, the training will end and start again."
Then he handed the yellow training vest to Hu Lai and said to Chu Yifan: "You will be responsible for setting the ball later."
Chu Yifan nodded: "Okay, coach."
Li Ziqiang named three more players: "Meng Xi, Yan Yan, and Mao Xiao. You three are on the defensive team and are responsible for defense."
The three people he targeted included a goalkeeper and two defenders.
All of them are the starting lineup of Dongchuan Middle School.
"The three of you have only one mission, which is to prevent him from scoring."
Everyone, including Luo Kai, was surprised to hear the head coach say this.
Even if we leave out goalkeeper Meng Xi, there are still two people guarding one person...
Let the two main center backs of the school team defend a newcomer who is the last in strength. At the same time, the team's main goalkeeper is responsible for guarding the goal. So far, they have only conceded one goal in the three qualifying games.
Li Ziqiang ignored the players' surprise and confusion, turned around and said to Hu Lai, who was standing next to him: "And your task is very simple, score a goal without fouling - as long as you can score a goal, that's fine."
You passed the special training. Today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, as long as you can score a goal in these three days of training, the special training will end, and then you and I will give you a chance to play."
Wow!
There was a commotion among the team, but it quickly disappeared.
Everyone just looked at Hu Lai with mixed expressions of surprise and sympathy.
"Do you have any opinions?" Li Ziqiang asked Hu Lai.
Hu Lai asked: "Will you listen to me if I have an opinion, coach?"
Li Ziqiang shook his head: "No."
"Oh, then I have no objection." Hu Lai said.
"Okay, let's train like this. Everyone is in position!" Li Ziqiang blew a whistle.
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Li Qingqing and Song Jiajia, who were standing in the stands, couldn't hear clearly the sounds on the other side of the goal. They still don't know the specific arrangements for the special training.
But when Li Qingqing saw the movements of the players on the field, she was surprised.
In front of the goal, in addition to the goalkeeper, there were two players wearing red vests, standing in front of Hu Lai.
Other than that, there's no one else in the penalty area, no more defensive players, but no other offensive players either.
This means that Hu Lai has to face two main center backs and one main goalkeeper of the school team alone in this special training.
Isn't this... dad too strict?
Maybe it would be possible to do something like one-on-two with Luo Kai.
But now this is Hu Lai. How can he still not know what level Hu Lai is?
It seems that Dad is determined to let Hu Lai do basic training for a year...
Although Li Qingqing agrees that Hu Lai now needs more basic training, but by attacking Hu Lai in public to let him train with peace of mind...is this method a bit too drastic?
Song Jiajia beside him couldn't quite understand, so he asked: "Li Qingqing, what are you doing?"
"Hu Lai should be allowed to face the defense of two people..." Li Qingqing explained.
"One versus two? Is Hu Lai that powerful?"
Li Qingqing shook his head.
Obviously, he is not that powerful.
The onlookers also understood what Li Ziqiang was going to do, and similar comments buzzed on the sidelines.
Li Zhiqun, who was standing in the crowd, did not participate in the discussions of others. Instead, he looked at Hu Lai who was alone in the penalty area and sneered.
No matter what, you can't escape the fate of becoming a joke!
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"Let me tell you, don't think about letting go in training, treat training as a formal game. Otherwise, go and do basic training with Hu Lai for a year. If you haven't practiced for a year, don't even think about playing in the game!"
Li Ziqiang said before the training started.
Hearing his words, Meng Xi shrugged to Hu Lai.
As the goalkeeper in this special training, if Hulay wants to score goals, his performance is crucial.
It's true that he never thought about deliberately selling a flaw in training and letting Hu Lai score a goal. He and Hu Lai were not friends yet. He did this because his good friend Mao Xiao supported Hu Lai so much.
For my sake.
But obviously his little thoughts have been seen through by the head coach...
Li Ziqiang blew the whistle and the special training officially began.
After the whistle sounded, Chu Yifan kicked the football towards the goal. The whole process was like taking a set kick. He passed the football diagonally towards the goal at a 45-degree angle with the goal.
.
Hu Lai ran diagonally over almost at the same time as the whistle sounded.
His reaction was so fast that both Mao Xiao and Yan Yan were a little surprised that Hu Lai had the upper hand.
Hu Lai successfully received the ball before the two defensive players. He did not try to continue dribbling the ball or make a few more adjustments, but shot the football directly towards the goal!
But just when he shot the football toward the goal, a long leg stretched out and blocked the football from the baseline!
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"Oh, what a pity!" Li Qingqing almost jumped up in the stands.
In her eyes, although Hu Lai has only undergone basic training this month, he has made great progress. The connection between his movements is much faster and smoother than before. This is also the meaning of basic training.
and function, allowing him to generate muscle memory during repeated training.
For example, when you see a ball coming, your body can instantly react on how to stop it.
Only after the ball has been stopped can you tell what to do next.
If you can't even stop the ball well, but if you stop the ball ten meters away, what's the point of connecting?
How about just losing possession of the ball?
Another thing that made Li Qingqing feel that Hu Lai performed well was that after receiving the ball, he did not continue to dribble or try any fake moves to get rid of it, but directly connected with a shot. The shot can be said to be very decisive.
.
This is a shooter's intuition.
The only regret is that the central defender Mao Xiao reacted faster and arrived in time to block his shot with his leg.
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Mao Xiao, who blocked Hu Lai's shot, gave Hu Lai a thumbs up: "Well done, Hu Lai, you reacted a little faster than I thought."
Hu Lai curled his lips: "But I'm still not as fast as you. You just want to take the opportunity to praise yourself, right?"
Mao Xiao showed a simple smile: "No, you are overthinking."
Hu Lai didn't argue with him. He felt hope in the attack just now. He felt that if the training continued like this, he would still have a chance to score in three days.
But just when Hu Lai felt good, he suddenly heard Li Ziqiang's rapid whistle: "Stop, stop, stop! What are you doing?!"
Then Li Ziqiang walked into the penalty area aggressively and came to the three people. He glared at Mao Xiao and said very rudely: "Is this your defense? Remember what I said before, what should I do if someone lets someone off?"
Mao Xiao, who was quite happy just now, panicked and quickly explained: "But coach, I didn't let him go, I blocked his shot..."
"Oh? Really? It looks like I want to praise you again?" Li Ziqiang sneered. "But don't forget, if this is a formal game, what will your performance be like? You shouldn't even let the ball go.
He received it! You let this rookie forward receive the ball at will in front of you, and even gave him space to shoot! You call this good defense?!"
Li Ziqiang pointed at Hu Lai.
Mao Xiao, on the other hand, lowered his head amidst the coach's criticism and could not say a word.
He admitted that the head coach was right. His mentality just now was completely different from that in the game. In the game, he would be more aggressive, but just now he didn't even have physical contact with Hu Lai...
"And you, Yan Yan!" After Li Ziqiang finished criticizing Mao Xiao, he pointed the finger at the vice-captain. "Two defensive players faced an offensive player, and one of them was just watching? How about assisting in defense?
?Where have all the things you usually practiced gone? Do you also watch the whole game on defense like this during the game?!"
Faced with the head coach's unceremonious accusation in front of many people, Yan Yan blushed: "I'm sorry, coach..."
"What did I say before? Treat training with the mentality of a formal game! Remember, this is not training, this is a formal game! What you did in the official game, tell me how to do it now!"
Then he turned around and walked out of the penalty area and blew the whistle again: "Again!"
This time Hu Lai was hit by Yan Yan as soon as he received the ball and lost his balance. Then the ball was intercepted by Mao Xiao and the attack ended.
Even people who don't know much about football can tell that Mao Xiao and Yan Yan are obviously more serious than last time.
But the coach was still dissatisfied, and the rapid whistle interrupted Chu Yifan's serve again.
Li Ziqiang walked up, shook his head at the two defenders and said, "Let me show you what physical confrontation is."
After saying that, he waved to Chu Yifan: "Pass the ball!"
Chu Yifan passed the football out, and Hu Lai ran towards the landing point of the football.
At the same time, Li Ziqiang, who was stuck inside, also moved. Like Hu Lai, he ran towards the spot where the football landed.
The football was in the air, and Hu Lai jumped up to compete for the top. Li Ziqiang also jumped up, towards the landing point of the football, and towards Hu Lai.
Then there was a muffled sound.
Li Ziqiang hit Hu Lai hard in the ribs, sending him flying flat...
Hu Lai felt as if he had been hit by a high-speed car, and his internal organs had been displaced. By the time he reacted, he had fallen to the ground five meters away.
He stared at the coach blankly. The coach who landed on the ground had his back to him and was saying to Mao Xiao and Yan Yan: "This is physical confrontation! Follow this standard! If you can't do it, you will let it go!"
Then he turned around, looked at Hu Lai who was still sitting on the ground, and said condescendingly and coldly: "You want to play? I tell you, boy, this is the treatment you will receive on the court."
After saying this, he turned around and walked out of the restricted area and said to everyone: "Come again!"
Behind him, Hu Lai slowly climbed up from the ground.