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Chapter 181: Failure in the infiltration of Old Trafford, Lin Quan is exposed!
After scoring that goal, Lin Quan chose not to celebrate and quickly ran towards the net to retrieve the ball and get back.
Playing time was scarce, and if they wanted to win, they had to make every second count.
Manchester City players were initially grateful for Lin Quan's goal that leveled the score, but now they realized what it truly meant.
The match wasn't over yet, they still had hopes of winning!
Thinking about this, everyone felt a bit ashamed.
Feeling happy about equalizing the score and being satisfied with a draw on the away field was unworthy; after all, Manchester City's goal was to be the Premier League champion!
This kind of complacency was unacceptable!
On the sidelines, Pellegrini applauded Lin Quan's action.
Within the team, if anyone asked him who he liked the most, Lin Quan would always be his number one answer.
Cardiff City players and fans experienced a great mood swing after their team's lead was equalized.
Although there were only a few minutes left in the game, they were about to achieve their first home victory in the Premier League.
But in the last minutes, their opponent equalized with a free kick, leaving them disheartened, disappointed, and a little scared.
They could clearly feel the other team's momentum had completely increased after scoring that goal.
Although there was little time left in the match, Manchester City had a history of making last-minute comebacks in league matches, even snatching the league title from Manchester United's hands in the last match of the season.
Faced with this team that once worked miracles, Cardiff City players were a little nervous.
So they couldn't help but worry about being defeated in the last minute.
As the saying goes, "fearing the worst is inviting the worst!"
After the game resumed, Manchester City was full of confidence, all players stormed into Cardiff City's midfield, launching a fierce attack around Cardiff City's forbidden area.
In this frantic siege, Manchester City created many opportunities, but they wasted them.
In the 87th minute, Yaya Touré's long shot went over the bar.
In the 89th minute, Negredo's shot went straight into the goalkeeper's hands.
In the 91st minute, Lin Quan's shot from a tight angle hit the post.
Minutes passed quickly, and time was running out for Manchester City.
The main referee was already looking at his watch, ready to blow the final whistle at any moment.
In the third minute of added time, a Cardiff City player committed a foul on the edge of the area, giving Manchester City a free kick.
This could be Manchester City's last attack in the match, as added time had ended, and after this free kick was taken, the referee would likely blow the final whistle.
Therefore, this free kick was of great importance to Manchester City.
It could be said that the number of points Manchester City would get in this match would depend on the performance of the player taking this free kick.
Therefore, for the player in charge of the free kick, there was enormous psychological pressure.
This time, Yaya Touré didn't argue with Lin Quan and gave him the chance to take the free kick.
Obviously, he wasn't sure he could score the goal, fearing to become the team's villain if he failed, so he stepped back.
Lin Quan didn't think much about it. If he or someone else took the kick, as long as the team didn't win the match, he would be the most criticized.
Who said his name was the most well-known and his salary the highest at Manchester City?
The greater the skill, the greater the responsibility.
Furthermore, he didn't like leaving his fate in the hands of others.
If he took the kick, he would have more confidence in himself.
As before, Lin Quan placed the ball, took a few steps back, and then started his run.
At that moment, Lin Quan became the center of attention for everyone on the field.
Time seemed to slow down, and the thirty thousand Cardiff City fans, including their owner and all the players on the field, had their eyes fixed on Lin Quan.
Ten meters passed quickly, and Lin Quan reached the ball.
As before, he raised his right leg, gathered strength, and kicked the ball hard.
Boom!
The sound burst on the football field like an explosion.
The ball flew like a rocket over the wall and headed towards Cardiff City's net.
This time, the goalkeeper couldn't just stay as a spectator!
He jumped high, stretching his body to the maximum, trying to block the ball.
But the ball's speed exceeded his imagination; he only heard the whistle of the wind, and it seemed like something passed in front of his eyes.
Then there was a "swoosh" sound, and when he looked back, the ball had already flown into his net.
The goalkeeper desperately fell on the grass, maintaining his backward-looking position, staring fixedly at the ball rolling into his net.
He was discontented, but he was helpless.
How could he defend such a fast ball?
"Goal!"
In the commentary box, Martin Taylor and Andy Gray were completely excited.
"An incredible goal, Manchester City's number 10 scored a quality free kick."
"According to the computer's calculations on-site, this kick reached a speed of 150 kilometers per hour. Oh my God, this is the fastest goal of the season in the Premier League!"
"A perfect free kick, an incredible comeback, Manchester City's core led the team to reverse the game with a free kick, his performance is worthy of his price."
"Yes, Lin Quan's performance in this match is undoubtedly phenomenal. In the midst of the team's overall poor performance, he stood up and helped the team win. Maybe this Manchester City doesn't deserve our expectation, but Lin Quan will always deserve the trust of Manchester City fans."
"Haha, this goal is so exciting, but for Cardiff City fans playing at home, maybe they're having a sad weekend."
"Just a few minutes ago, no one could imagine that Manchester City could win this way. At that moment, it seemed like the goddess of victory was calling Cardiff City, but in a few minutes everything changed."
As the commentator said, after Lin Quan scored that goal, Cardiff City fans on the scene stood like statues.
They looked at Manchester City players celebrating wildly on the field, staring blankly at the field, as if they couldn't accept the result.
Many of the more emotional fans even started crying.
Compared to their disillusionment, sadness, and regret.
Manchester City fans were completely ecstatic!
Ten minutes ago, everyone thought the team would probably suffer their first defeat of the season.
But it turns out that in the last minutes of the match, Lin Quan had such a brilliant performance, almost defeating the opponent by himself, leading the team to an unexpected victory, turning their sadness into joy, instantly enveloped in overwhelming happiness.
Not even Manchester City players or the coaching staff expected this comeback.
After Lin Quan scored that goal, the players on the field were first surprised, then ran towards Lin Quan like crazy.
Even Yaya Touré, who had had issues with Lin Quan before, had no choice but to applaud Lin Quan's brilliant performance.
Under so much pressure, being able to kick a free kick of this level demonstrated a much better mental quality than his.
On the sidelines, substitute players and even some members of the coaching staff ran onto the field, celebrating Lin Quan's goal like crazy.
Players who were previously dissatisfied and doubted Lin Quan, the core of the team who arrived this summer, had now completely dispelled their doubts.
Seeing if someone can be the pillar of the team, if they can be the core and leader of the team, shouldn't just be based on their performance in favorable times.
It should be based on their performance in difficult times!
Lin Quan's performance in this match made Manchester City realize that even in tough times, he could stand out and lead the team to victory.
This quality earned him recognition from the players.
Therefore, for Manchester City, this goal was not just three league points, it was the key to uniting the team as one mind.
...
After the match, Pellegrini decided to bring Lin Quan to the press conference. During the conference, he praised Lin Quan's performance.
"I can say without a doubt that Lin is a phenomenal player. He can always score incredible goals on the field. Coaching such an outstanding player is a blessing for any coach because with him, the team's attack becomes much simpler!"
Pellegrini's words were echoed by the Cardiff City coach, who had done a lot of preparation on how to defend against Lin Quan in the match.
Despite successfully limiting the opponent for most of the game, they didn't expect the other team to use free kicks, resulting in two direct goals, undoing all their tactical preparations.
In the face of praise from coaches and journalists, Lin Quan humbly responded that the victory was the merit of the entire team and that he had only done what was expected of him.
Journalists found no falsehood in his words but admired his mental clarity.
English football boasts many strong teams, and although Manchester City is not yet considered one of the biggest, getting two wins against mid-to-low table teams should not be a reason for overconfidence. Encounters between the stronger teams will teach them humility.
And speaking of important encounters, in the next round of the Premier League, Manchester United will play against Chelsea at home.
Therefore, some journalists asked Pellegrini and Lin Quan for their opinion on this.
Pellegrini expressed that both teams were strong and that a draw would be a normal result. However, Lin Quan, when questioned, joked that he believed they could draw.
This response elicited laughter among the journalists, as a draw would be beneficial for other teams aspiring to the Premier League title, including Manchester City.
When asked about his support for his friend De Bruyne, who now plays for Chelsea, Lin Quan affirmed that he would definitely support him and planned to watch the match at the stadium to cheer him on.
After the match, the media highlighted Lin Quan's words at the press conference, as well as his intention to support De Bruyne. De Bruyne, upon hearing this, called him to confirm, and Lin Quan assured him it was true and that even the Manchester City coaching staff would also attend the match to observe.
In the next round, Manchester City will face Manchester United in the city derby.
Before the match, they need to assess the opponent's condition, especially when facing strong teams, to decide what tactic to use.
Lin Quan's response left De Bruyne very satisfied:
"Then it's settled, see you at Old Trafford!"
"Good, see you at Old Trafford!"
It's been three months since the German Cup final.
Initially, De Bruyne thought Lin Quan would stay in the Bundesliga, but he was surprised to see him in the Premier League.
So now it will be easier to meet, and they will even be able to speak directly on the field.
But remembering the scenes in training where Lin Quan easily surpassed him, De Bruyne felt a little nervous.
He really doesn't want to meet that guy on the field! He's too hard to mark!
...
On August 26th, Lin Quan arrived punctually at Old Trafford Stadium.
As the second-largest stadium in England, Old Trafford has a total of 76,000 seats.
Whenever there's a Premier League or Champions League match, Manchester City fans come from all over the world to watch their team play.
Unlike Manchester City, Manchester United has been very successful in its commercial development, and its fan base extends worldwide.
Therefore, in every match, in addition to local fans from England, there are also many fans who come from other countries.
This situation is rare at Manchester City.
Although Manchester City players come from different countries, except for a few who have some influence, most players do not have the ability to attract fans from around the world to travel to the Etihad Stadium to watch them play.
As a rival in the same city, Lin Quan does not want to reveal his identity and attract the attention of Manchester United fans.
That's why he chose to hide well, even wearing sunglasses and a duckbill cap to disguise himself.
However, upon arriving at the stadium, he realized he wasn't the only one dressing like this.
"Leader?"
"Negredo?"
"Is it really you?"
"Why are you here too?"
"I also came to watch the match. Not just me, Fernandinho, Navas, and the others are here too!"
Following Negredo's finger, Lin Quan saw others dressed similarly and acting stealthily.
Half of his teammates came too!
And what's more surprising, many of them also chose the same combination of coat and sunglasses.
Wow, what uniformity!
No, I can't stick with these guys. One of them being inconspicuous might pass, but a group is too conspicuous.
Lin Quan shook off Negredo and avoided talking too much with him.
As the number of fans entering the stadium was not yet too large, he quickly took off his coat.
After thinking for a moment, he also took off the cap.
Apart from the sunglasses he couldn't remove, he had almost completely stripped himself of his disguise.
In this way, he became a common Asian fan, different from his teammates.
After doing all this, Lin Quan breathed a sigh of relief. Are you sure they won't recognize me?
However, just as he found his seat and sat down, he saw himself on the big screen of the stadium.
Lin Quan slightly moved his lips and waved to the camera with a stiff gesture, wondering in his mind how they had discovered his identity. (End of chapter)
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