Fox in the Penalty Area

Because of Hu Lai's low-key response, the matter between Lin Zhiyuan and him quickly subsided.

After all, it was just a dialogue between two young people, and one was a Chinese League One player and the other was a Chinese Super Youth Team player.

Such a thing is not worth much coverage and publicity in itself.

Everyone still pays more attention to the performance on the court.

After the match against Youjiang Honglian, the Chinese League One has ushered in a rare loose period of one game a week.

There was no game in the middle of the week, but it was not until Saturday, April 15th that they ushered in Ning Tianyong'an at home.

This team was the Chinese Super League team last season, but they were relegated in the end, and they will play in the Chinese Super League this season.

Although it is a relegated team, the lean camel is bigger than the horse, and Yongan still wants to return to the Chinese Super League as soon as possible, so their personnel loss this season is not serious, and they can be regarded as a strong team in the Chinese Premier League.

In the end, Shining Star was tied by the opponent at home. The two teams fought 0:0, and no one scored.

Hu Lai was closely marked by the opponent in this game, and Chen Xingyi's condition was not as good as in the previous game. He was replaced in the 70th minute.

However, because of the outstanding performance in previous competitions, neither Chen Hantang, Chen Xingyi, nor even Zhao Kangming felt anxious or dissatisfied.

Chen Xingyi's performance in the previous three games proved his ability. If he plays normally, he can fully meet the team's requirements.

After such a performance, Zhao Kangming had confidence in his heart and knew that he was not wrong in his bet.

Chen Xingyi also has the confidence and patience to face the occasional normal state ups and downs.

After playing the league match with Ning Tianyong'an, Flash Star ushered in the fourth round of the FA Cup match in the middle of the week.

Starting from this round, all Chinese Super League teams will enter the field, and the FA Cup will implement a comprehensive and disorderly mixed draw, which means that each round of each game will be decided by lottery against both sides, home and away.

In this way, various unexpected situations are particularly prone to occur, but it also means that weaker teams may not necessarily encounter stronger Chinese Super League teams.

For example, Flash Star was very lucky this time. In the fourth round of the FA Cup, they drew the Haixi elite from China B. Of course, this time they need to go to the away game instead of waiting for work at home.

"Hu Lai, why didn't you go to Director Zhao this time?" After returning to the rental house after training, the two of them didn't go back to their respective bedrooms immediately, but sat in the living room chatting.

"Why should I go to Director Zhao?" Hu Lai wondered.

"Didn't you say that not only the last FA Cup match, but also every FA Cup match in the future? If you don't ask Director Zhao, what if he doesn't put you in the squad for the match?"

Hu Lai was stunned.

Wang Guangwei's eyes widened: "Did you forget?"

Hu Lai shook his head quickly: "I haven't forgotten, of course I remember!"

But of course he forgot about it. At the beginning, I said those nonsense in order to be able to make full use of the effect of the [Consonance Card]. Since it is nonsense, of course forget it after speaking. Anyway, he has already played in the FA Cup and got the effect of the [Consonance Card], so why should he worry about the FA Cup?

But of course he couldn't tell Wang Guangwei such a reason. It's not a question of whether people will collapse or not. The main reason is that he doesn't believe Wang Guangwei...

Thinking of this, he explained: "I believe that Director Zhao will take the initiative to put me on the big list because of the importance he attaches to me, and I don't need to remind him at all. Otherwise, I will take the initiative to find him every time, then you What does Director Zhao think? 'I, Zhao Kangming, am such a forgetful person? Do you just not believe me?'"

Hu Lai imitated Director Zhao's tone and said, and then spread his hands: "How embarrassing did you see it? Old Wang, how can we players embarrass the head coach?"

Wang Guangwei thought for a while and accepted Hu Lai's explanation.

Then the next day when Zhao Kangming announced his squad for the FA Cup away game with the team, there was no Hu Lai in it.

There is no Wang Guangwei, but there is Chen Xingyi...

"This..." Facing Wang Guangwei's questioning gaze, Hu Lai twitched the corners of his mouth, then frowned and said with a headache, "I never thought that Director Zhao would also have forgetfulness, it seems that Director Zhao is really old... Sigh , Director Zhao is the only one..."

He forgot how old Director Zhao was.

It was Wang Guangwei who reminded him: "Forty-seven years old."

Hu Lai exclaimed: "What? Director Zhao is only forty-seven years old? Look at his two temples and white hair, I believe you even if you say he is fifty-seven! For our team, Director Zhao has worked so hard, he is getting old so fast! His memory is also very weak." It's not as good as it used to be..."

"Hu Lai, you just forgot what you said?" No matter how realistic Hu Lai's performance is, Wang Guangwei can see through the essence at a glance. "Or it's just something you said casually, and you don't take it seriously after you say it..."

Hu Lai said angrily: "Who said I said it casually? Let me tell you, Lao Wang, I will go to Director Zhao in a while and ask him to add me to the list! I am serious about playing in the FA Cup!"

"The list has been announced, what's the use of looking for it again?" Wang Guangwei snorted. "In hindsight Zhuge Liang, the words are nice...

Hu Lai got up and left: "It's up to people!"

He really went to find Zhao Kangming.

※※※

Sitting in the office, Zhao Kangming looked at Hu Lai with great interest: "I'm considering that the next two consecutive weeks will be double matches, and this time the FA Cup is an away game, so there's really no need for you to run so far , just to play games for tens of minutes. That’s why I didn’t put you in the squad... What, do you really plan to fulfill your promise and play every FA Cup?”

Hu Lai smiled flatteringly: "Look at what you said, Director Zhao. It's hard to follow a gentleman's word. Now that I have said it, I must do it. Otherwise, won't I be looked down upon by people like Wang Guangwei?"

Zhao Kangming asked with a smile: "Have you been looked down upon by Wang Guangwei?"

"No, Director Zhao. How could Old Wang look down on me?" Hu Lai shook his head like a rattle.

Zhao Kangming didn't care about these details, he smiled and shook his head: "If you came to me before the big list was announced, then it would be fine to add you. But it's not possible now, I've already announced the list, in order to add you, Who do you think I should adjust? Although some people don’t care about the FA Cup, most of the players I selected for the FA Cup squad are eager for this game..."

"Chen Xingyi." Hu Lai said suddenly, interrupting Director Zhao's words.

"what?"

"Director Zhao, you can adjust Chen Xingyi and put me in. The position is the same, and it won't affect the lineup. Besides, Chen Xingyi also started in the league in the last game, which is just right for him to rest..." Hu Lai Said.

Zhao Kangming smiled: "I said Hu Lai, no matter how good your relationship with Chen Xingyi is, you can't point him at him alone!"

After laughing, he shook his head and said firmly: "Chen Xingyi needs to play more games with the team now, he can't rest."

Seeing that Chen Xingyi could not be taken out of the big list, Hu Lai frowned, feeling embarrassed. Except for Chen Xingyi, it's really hard for him to replace others...

Seeing that Hu Lai was really embarrassed about not being able to win the FA Cup, Zhao Kangming shook his head and said: "Well, this game is like this, Hu Lai. But I promise you, every next FA Cup match, I will Will let you enter the big list, whether it is a starter or a substitute depends on the specific situation, what do you think?"

When Hu Lai heard Zhao Kangming's promise, he was very happy: "I think it will work! Director Zhao is wise!"

"Stop flattering me, get out now!" Zhao Kangming rolled up his sleeves.

Hu Lai turned and ran out.

Looking at Hu Lai's back, Zhao Kangming shook his head helplessly. This kid is full of energy.

He remembered the targeted physical training that Hu Lai had mentioned to him after the last league game.

It seems that Hu Lai is not satisfied with his physical fitness, although everyone thinks his physical fitness is already very good.

But obviously he hopes to have both his physical upper limit and recovery speed.

Self-motivated, knowing what is not good enough for me, and willing to sweat and work hard for it...

Such a young player is not just a Hu Lai, Wang Guangwei and Chen Xingyi are also like this, and they work very hard in training.

By the way, there is also Zhang Qinghuan, that kid's attitude in the training is not to be said, it seems that he wants to make up for the three years he lost.

These young people are so different from those in earlier years.

They have their own pursuit of football, not just as a tool for making money. Have a clear plan for your career instead of following the crowd.

Then they are willing to train hard to achieve their goals, and can withstand some interference and temptation from the outside world...

He thought of Qin Lin who planned to retire.

If the new era after Daqin's retirement is created by these young people, I don't think he will have any regrets and reluctance, right?

No, there will definitely be.

Zhao Kangming frowned.

He must regret why he was not surrounded by young people like Hu Lai and the others when he was fighting.

After all, in Chinese football at that time, there were so few "professional" professional players like Qin Lin... so that "professional" has become the advantage of Qin Lin, a professional player.

※※※

"Director Zhao really said that?" Wang Guangwei stared at Hu Lai with wide eyes.

Hu Lai was triumphant: "I just told you. Director Zhao must have forgotten. He promised me now that as long as there is a FA Cup match in the future, he will let me enter the squad!"

Then he ignored Wang Guangwei who was in deep thought, turned around and said to Chen Xingyi: "Little Xingxing, I can't go with you this time, you have to fight hard. Don't make the media say that you won't even have the ball without me." I can't get in!"

Chen Xingyi retorted: "Without me, you wouldn't be able to score, right?"

"Hehe." Hu Lai looked at him and sneered.

Chen Xingyi also realized that Hu Lai could score goals without him... He decided not to dwell on the topic of Hu Lai's advantage.

"My dad is here to pick me up, I'm leaving first!"

※※※

On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 19th, Chen Xingyi scored an overtake goal in the fourth round of the Football Association Cup where Flash Star challenged Haixi Elite away, helping Flash Star to eliminate the home team 2:1 away. Surprisingly broke into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

But there is nothing special about this game, an ordinary FA Cup game.

The Haixi elite probably knew that they were in danger when they were drawn to the star.

After losing the game, he also behaved very calmly.

Chen Xingyi's wonderful performance in the game can only make his fans happy, but in fact, it can't cause any disturbance in the media.

Because in Chinese football on this day, the protagonist belongs to an amateur team.

"The game is over! It's unbelievable! The Juxing City football team from Dongtai unexpectedly eliminated the Lingnan Nanhai team in the fifth round of the FA Cup!"

The Dongtai Sports Center, which can only accommodate 20,000 people, roared with cheers. On the field, the players of the home team hugged each other and celebrated the victory heartily.

"Unbelievable, unbelievable... Dongtai Juxing City is just an amateur team. It is not easy to reach the fifth round. This time they met Lingnan Nanhai, a strong team in China. Everyone thought they would lose Unexpectedly, the tenacious Juxing City dragged the game into a penalty shootout! And in the penalty shootout, they defeated Lingnan Nanhai who had despised them before the game!"

Luo Kai sat on the turf in pain. He played the whole game and scored a goal, which was the only goal of the South China Sea team.

If it was changed to other games, this performance would definitely not be bad.

But when the opponent in this game is an amateur team, such a performance is really hard to call good...

His goal in the opening thirteen minutes put the South Seas ahead. Originally, this game should have continued smoothly like this, and the South China Sea team would score goals and finally win with a very disparate score.

The results of it?

After taking the lead, the Nanhai team was proud and underestimated the enemy, thinking that the opponent was a soft persimmon that they could manipulate at will.

Not to mention wasting opportunities by changing tricks, after the opponent equalized the score in the second half, the whole team immediately panicked.

He can no longer organize a decent offense, and can no longer threaten the goal of Gathering City.

In the end, the game was tied 1:1 in 90 minutes.

According to the rules of the FA Cup, the regular time is tied, and there will be no overtime, but direct penalty kicks.

This rule was set up to make the FA Cup match full of surprises and create upsets.

This time, Zhongjia Nanhai became a victim of this rule.

An upset appeared!

In the penalty shootout, the amateur team Juxing City played steadily amid the cheers of more than 10,000 fans. The South China Sea team was completely flustered, only took four penalty kicks, and missed two goals, and finally failed to score the fifth penalty kick, and was eliminated by an amateur team just like that.

Luo Kai played second on behalf of the South China Sea team in the penalty shoot-out, and he scored, but he still couldn't change the team's fate of being eliminated...

He attaches great importance to the FA Cup competition, because in the case that he has not been able to get a stable starting opportunity in the league, the FA Cup has naturally become the event he can start.

So he was very serious in the FA Cup, went all out and scored goals.

But such an outstanding performance is now coming to an abrupt end.

At this moment, the depressed Luo Kai felt someone put a hand on his shoulder. He looked back and saw that it was the team's head coach Pan Hongwei, squatting beside him with an arm on his shoulder.

"Director Pan, I'm sorry..." Luo Kai quickly apologized when he saw the coach.

"Many people should be responsible for the failure of this game, including me, but you don't need to apologize, Luo Kai." The old coach shook his head and said, "The FA Cup is gone, and there is also the league. Just treat it as Dongtai Gathering Star City helped us with a multiple-choice question, and now we can put all our energy into the league and strive for a successful promotion."

When he said these words, he was looking at the Star City players who were celebrating in the distance.

"This is football. You can't imagine that a middle-level team will fall under the feet of an amateur team, just like no one could have imagined that a person who has been useless for three years can eat our defenders with speed, and then Use a world-class assist to kill our dream of surpassing in our own home court..." Pan Hongwei murmured.

Luo Kai knew which game he was talking about, and the person who received the world-class assist in that game was called Hu Lai.

"Director Pan, I will do my best to help the team advance!" Luo Kai made a promise panting heavily.

Hearing what he said, Pan Hongwei smiled, raised his hand and patted him on the shoulder, then got up and walked towards the other players.

And Luo Kai also got up from the ground, turned around and walked down the court without looking back.