Chapter 166: Who Is Afraid Of Who Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Downing, who had been rebuffed twice by Wood, refused to give up. Instead, his strong desire to win had been ignited as a result of this. Downing did not believe that he would suffer a third setback by the same person today.
It was yet another attempt at a breakthrough from the wing, and Downing decided to stop playing any tricks or flowery actions, and instead, relied solely on his speed to overpower this opponent. He attributed his previous failure to the fact that he had kicked the ball too softly, causing the ball to be too slow. As a result, Wood happened to be able to intercept the ball right after he turned around.
This time… I won't make any more mistakes!
"Downing dribbles the ball and attempts to breakthrough. He is very fast! It's really praiseworthy…." Gray was so engrossed in this young man's performance, that he almost overlooked another young man.
Seeing that his opponent intended to dribble the ball and break through from his side, Wood naturally would not let him past. Hence, he also turned around and tried to catch up.
Perhaps the most regrettable thing for Downing this match was the lack of understanding regarding his opponent — George Wood. But it was not a big deal. After this match, Downing would become familiar with Wood, and he would know what he should do in the future. Thus, the next time he met this quiet mixed-blood, he would definitely attempt to break through from the other side instead.
Downing once again raised his speed. He was in top form, and in possession of the ball. The ball was at a suitable distance away from his feet, making him feel as though he was flying…This was his favorite style of playing. When I am in my best form, I am the only master on the field. When I spread my wings and soar, nobody can stop me, nobody!
Suddenly, Downing caught a silhouette out of the corner of his eyes… a wave of an oppressive feeling surged forth!
Who is this? That stupid Thompson? I've already reached somewhere near Nottingham Forest's penalty area so quickly? It seems like I've long shaken off that number thirty-three, that useless guy!
However, McClaren, who was at the side of the field, suddenly shouted, "Bastard! Pass the ball!"
Although he was not on the field, McClaren could sense the impending danger much earlier than Downing. That black shadow only swayed for a split second, before disappearing. Have I also passed Thompson? Great, I shall seize this opportunity and go all the way into the penalty area!
Just as Downing intended to do this, he suddenly felt that his center of gravity became unstable…
George Wood decided to stop running together with this person. The opponent's dribbling had always been on point, causing Wood to be unable to grasp any chance to steal the ball. Currently, Downing seemed to have the intention to change the pace. This was evident from the way he kicked the ball, as it became slightly more forceful. This was the sign of Downing intending to raise his speed once again. However this time, Wood would not let Downing do as he wished.
When he was still in the youth team, Wood had been told by Tang En that the best timing to perform a tackle was at the moment when the opponent kicked the ball away from himself. As long as he could seize the right timing, even if he tackled the other party from behind, it would not be considered a foul, as that would be a perfectly clean tackle!
Just like a cheetah, Wood sprinted forth, and his center of gravity shifted downwards very quickly. Making use of the momentum from his high-speed running, Wood tackled the football right in front of Downing. This was the best timing.
Right now!
Wood's leg kicked the ball, causing it to bounce up. As a result, the ball happened to hit Downing's right calf, which was raised in the air, before changing direction and flying out of bounds!
On the other hand, Downing, who was completely caught completely off guard and could not stop in time, had habitually tripped over Wood's body, causing him to fall flat on his face… this was his third time suffering a setback.
"Dang it, another foul!" the Middlesbrough fans once again shouted furiously.
"As if it was a foul!" the Nottingham Forest fans replied them in the same heightened manner.
Even the commentator was on Nottingham Forest's side. "What a beautiful tackle! What a beautiful tackle! A perfect defense! Stewart Downing has suffered three consecutive setbacks by George Wood. He is really very unlucky!"
Lying on the ground in an embarrassing position, Downing turned his body to face the referee, asking for a foul card to be given to Wood. However, the referee and the linesman both made an unanimous decision, with the hand and the flag both pointing towards Middblesbrough's side of the court — that was Nottingham Forest's out-of-bounds ball!
The displeased Middlesbrough fans in the stands started jeering, but this unpleasant noise was soon interrupted and drowned out by an even louder song...
"Pitiful McClaren, chose the wrong opponents for the finals! Pitiful Stewart Downing, chose to race the wrong opponent! Wood! Wood! Wood Wood Wood! Long Live Forest! Forest! Forest! Forest — Victory! Oh la la! Forest Forest! Let us go to Europe!"
The plump John stood amidst the crowd and started clapping, like the people around him, to provide the beat for themselves. At the same time, they loudly sang praises for Nottingham Forest and George Wood. This song was composed by himself, and was originally meant to be used during the youth matches to show support for George Wood, the player whom Tang En held in high regards.
Later, alongside with Wood's promotion to the first team, as well as his exceptional performance, they decided to bring this song over to City Ground Stadium. Once they started singing this song, it soon spread like wildfire across the stands. Now, they had managed to bring this song over to Cardiff Millennium Stadium and, through the live television broadcast, the entirety of England would hear their singing, and everyone would know of that person's name in the song.
Ladies and gentlemen, please remember, he is George Wood, and he will become the King of the Forest!
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Wood's tackle was so beautiful, even Motson, who was seated at home, almost jumped up from his sofa. Needless to say, the fans watching the match live had even greater reactions. Countless people dedicated their ovations to this young player wearing the number 33 shirt, who had made Juninho and Downing suffer setbacks, one after another.
Gareth Bale, who was in the stands, turned his head around and asked his father excitedly, while clapping, "Dad! Can I be like him? Being cheered on and clapped for by everyone here?" Wood had been promoted to the first team from the youth team, and his immediate outstanding performance led to his signing of a contract with the first team thereafter. Wood, therefore, naturally became Gareth Bale's idol and goal that he worked towards, as Gareth Bale was also playing for the youth team.
His father smiled and said to him, "Of course you can! My son is a genius!"
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The three consecutive failed face-offs against Wood had a very negative impact on Downing's confidence. This kind of setback could take quite some time before its effects could be dispelled. He had always thought that he was the best, but the best him was actually unable to break past that quiet number 33.
He was suddenly somewhat afraid of facing that guy one-on-one. So, when his teammates passed the ball to him, he always passed it away very quickly.
McClaren, who was off the field, noticed this and sighed. Afterwards, he shouted Downing's name loudly, and made a hand gesture to him, signalling for him to switch positions.
Letting Downing switch positions with Mendieta, who was on the other side, and using the experienced Spanish person to deal with that young brat. was his original intention. Since Downing was destined to be unable to perform well on that side anymore, McClaren wanted to simply switch his position and let him try to break through as usual. This was no big deal. This match's outcome would have to depend heavily on how this kid performed now…
Tang En noticed McClaren's actions at the side of the field, and just as expected, Downing indeed went to the other side.
You're afraid? Very good!
"Geor — ge!" Sucking in a deep breath, Tang En also shouted Wood's name loudly. After Wood turned his head and looked at Tang En, Tang En extended his hands and pointed in Downing's direction.
Wood understood what Tang En meant, and he turned around to switch positions with Commons as well. When Downing discovered that the person in front of him was still that detestable number 33, he even helplessly shot a look to the side of the field, hoping that McClaren could give him some new instructions…Should he change back?
McClaren was completely at a loss of what to do. It was obvious that the other party wanted to completely freeze out the most active player on the team. No matter what position you made him play, it was believed that George Wood would not be too far away from him.
Damnit!
McClaren did not want to resign to it, but he did not have any means to deal with it. What else could he do? He could only wait silently, and hope that the other party would soon crumble under the pressure
Would Tang En let him get what he wanted?
George Wood's exceptional performance strengthened his teammates' confidence and fighting spirit. Wood used his actions to tell his teammates, who had already been battered and worn out from Downing's breakthroughs, that they could completely hold off their opponent's relentless waves of offense. Wasn't Wood a live example?
This match was currently back on Tang En's tracks once again, and was in the midst of slowly inching towards the outcome he had hoped to see…