65

Albert, as expected of the captain of the Pirate Ship team, quickly stabilized his team's mentality with just a few words.

From the match time and scoreline, the Pirate Ship team had no reason to rush. Their possession rate and various offensive and defensive statistics were far ahead of the Bucks Ironhorns. 

With 25 minutes remaining in the match, all they needed to do was maintain the 2-1 lead steadily, and they would secure the three points they had planned to take at home.

However, after pulling one goal back, the Bucks Ironhorns were visibly more confident. 

The ball was passed back and forth between midfield and the flanks. 

The Pirate Ship team's attack was still sharp, but compared to the first half, their tempo had clearly slowed down. 

Stamina was a key factor affecting on-field performance. As physical endurance dropped, all attribute stats declined, leading to an increase in mistakes.

Although the Bucks Ironhorns were clearly at a technical disadvantage, they were not inferior to the Pirate Ship team in terms of stamina. In fact, they might even have a slight edge. 

On paper, the tactical system of the Pirate Ship team still seemed superior.

Their usual strategy was simple and could be summarized in one sentence: Albert spreads the play wide, targeting the space behind the opposing fullbacks, followed by the wingers aggressively contesting for the ball, reaching the byline, and crossing into the box to create goal-scoring opportunities.

It sounded simple, but in practice, it was highly effective.

High school amateur teams, especially those under the British football system, were often built around a simple core tactical approach, with other details adjusted around this main strategy. 

The principle of "a single well-executed move can take you far" applied perfectly here.

The Bucks Ironhorns had their own core tactical approach as well.

Before "Dog on a Leash" Orin defected, their primary strategy revolved around Orin's ability as a left-back to break through, stretch the opposition, and tear apart the right flank, either by reaching the byline or delivering dangerous long passes.

Orin's departure essentially dismantled the entire Bucks Ironhorns team.

As a result, they were forced to adopt a temporary "False Nine" strategy, relying on Watergate's individual ability to create threats when the ball was delivered to him from the back.

Comparing the two core strategies, the Pirate Ship team's approach was clearly more advanced, more refined, and more structured.

However…

Once the Bucks Ironhorns subbed in their new left-back, Gu Ran, the situation changed entirely.

Gu Ran's presence did not alter Watergate's "False Nine" role, but like an engine firing up, he completely activated the system, seamlessly linking the Bucks Ironhorns' midfield and defense.

This tactical "adjustment" caught the entire Pirate Ship team off guard.

Their suited-up head coach frowned on the sidelines. He knew that Chinese kid was dangerous, but at the moment, he had no better countermeasure. All he could do was shout occasional reminders to his players, telling them to watch out for him and prevent him from cutting inside suddenly.

For the next ten minutes, both sides exchanged attacks, but neither managed to score.

Gu Ran held his position on the left flank of the Bucks Ironhorns, maintaining a solid defensive line and patiently waiting for an opportunity.

In the 81st minute—

The Bucks Ironhorns misplayed a passing combination on the right wing. The Pirate Ship's full-back intercepted the ball and immediately passed it inside to their defensive midfielder.

A quick forward pass followed, straight into the center of the midfield, where Albert controlled it with ease and accelerated forward.

The Manchester school crowd erupted in excitement, raising their arms in unison and chanting, "3-1!"

The Bucks Ironhorns' formation quickly contracted defensively. Their defensive midfielder, Bread, stepped up to mark Albert.

Albert, looking confident, smirked slightly. With his experience, he used his body to shield the ball, leaning against Bread while positioning himself towards the left side of the Bucks Ironhorns' defense, ready to chip the ball over—

But at that moment, Gu Ran sprinted into the central area.

Albert looked up and was instantly startled!

He hadn't expected Gu Ran to abandon his left-back position and rush into the center to intercept.

What's more, he hadn't expected Gu Ran to be so fast—covering over twenty meters in just three seconds!

By the time Albert raised his head, Gu Ran was already within two or three meters of him!

Logically speaking, since Gu Ran had left his flank open, there should have been a massive gap behind him. At that moment, the Pirate Ship's right winger had already made his overlapping run into the final third. All Albert had to do was send the ball over, and their attack would become a deadly threat.

However…

Gu Ran's sprinting route had, in an extremely short time, completely blocked off the passing lane between Albert and the Pirate Ship's right winger!

The timing and angle for a chipped pass were now cut off. If Albert opted to send the ball into the penalty area, the winger wouldn't have had time to cut inside and connect with it.

The only options left were a horizontal pass to the wing or turning back to retain possession.

But with no teammates available to support on the flank, turning back would mean giving up a prime attacking opportunity.

This seemed like an ordinary tactical battle, but in reality, it was a chess match between Gu Ran and Albert!

At that moment, Gu Ran's football intelligence made all the difference.

Defend the center, leave the flanks open!

Allow the winger to advance, but sever the connection between the midfield and the winger, creating a two-on-one situation in the center with his defensive midfielder. This forced Albert to either pass backward or make a mistake!

Gu Ran had only attended one defensive tactics class, but he had already grasped the essence of high-level full-back play.

Game intelligence, timing of interceptions, sprint speed, confidence, and the ability to read the opponent's moves—none of these could be lacking!

Just as Albert hesitated on how to deal with the situation, Gu Ran decisively used his body to press against him.

At first, Albert didn't take it seriously, but within moments, his expression changed dramatically.

Damn, he's strong!

Albert tried a quick flick with the outside of his foot, hoping to beat Gu Ran with fine footwork.

But Gu Ran didn't go for the ball at all—he simply used his body to push Albert aside, physically forcing him out of possession!

Compared to Gu Ran's decisive shoulder charge, Albert's hesitation proved costly—he lost the ball!

Bread instantly seized the opportunity and picked up the loose ball.

A suffocating defensive sequence in the middle of the pitch!

"Beautiful!!!" Coach Carter roared, pumping his fist. "Pass it! Now!"

Albert, frustrated after losing possession, immediately lunged toward Bread to recover the ball.

But Bread had anticipated this and instantly played a short forward pass.

Gu Ran took off in full sprint, chasing the through ball straight down the center!

This time, he wasn't cutting inside—he was charging straight through!

The Pirate Ship team's defensive line collapsed into chaos. Their full-backs rushed inward to cover, while the central midfielders stepped up to intercept.

Albert also pushed forward with all his strength in a desperate chase.

Gu Ran absorbed the physical pressure from the Pirate Ship's defenders, maintaining balance as he executed two seamless one-two passes with Watergate.

The Pirate Ship's center-backs were completely stunned.

This guy—he's supposed to be a left-back???

Is he carrying a damn knife with him???

He's still going!

Just ten more meters, and he'd break into the penalty box!