Chapter 5 Zhang Jun's Day!

Zhang Jun’s four consecutive goals set the tone for the rest of the match. No one could stop the hungry and furious Zhang Jun, and no one could stop Volendam, who possessed such a Zhang Jun. Roda was not weak, as their sixth-place finish in the league last season showed, but in front of Zhang Jun, they were reduced to supporting roles, even though they themselves were unwilling.

Later, Henna finally scored in his first league game for Volendam with a long-range shot from outside the box. The angle was tricky, beyond the goalkeeper's reach.

Although Roda pulled back a goal in the seventieth minute, it was in vain. They only saw hope for five minutes before Zhang Jun snuffed it out. He received Kozer's long pass and unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area. The football crashed into the net like a cannonball, and the goalkeeper had already surrendered.

3:1! This match belonged to Zhang Jun!

Zhang Jun was still excited after the goal. He kicked the advertising board behind the goal, the board swayed, and then fell down.

Li Yan was not sure if Zhang Jun's desperate efforts would be good for him in the long run, but he knew that Zhang Jun needed to vent. The always gentle wind finally had its violent moments. Zhang Jun was truly enraged by that report. He was now a hurricane, a storm.

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"Zhang's Storm Destroys Roda!"

"A Goalscoring Demonstration to Milan!"

"My Condition is Excellent, I Will Not Yield."

"The Best Way to Prove Yourself is to Score Goals."

The Dutch and Chinese media unanimously supported Zhang Jun and questioned the Milan Lab: Could a player who could score twice in a game, dribble past four players, and produce spectacular goals really have an incredibly fragile left ankle? And that volley was struck with his left foot.

The photo of Zhang Jun roaring after scoring his first goal naturally became the most widely used.

*Milan Sports* used this caption under the photo: Zhang Jun's Counterattack. It was full of profound meaning.

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The UEFA Cup began in 1972, evolving from the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, only changing the name of the competition, with the number of participating teams increasing from 32 to *. The participating teams were excellent teams other than the league and cup champions of each country, generally the top few in the league or the runners-up in the cup. Initially, the number of participating teams from each country was determined by UEFA based on the strength level and football history of each country. From 1979, it was changed to be determined by the ranking of allocation coefficients. The calculation method of the allocation coefficient is to divide the sum of the scores of each country's teams in the three major European cups in the most recent 5 years by the number of participating teams (that is, the average score obtained by each team). After the start of the European Champions League, due to the disintegration of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, the number of UEFA member states increased significantly, which led to a decline in the quality of the Champions League. Therefore, between 1995 and 1997, only the league champions of the top 24 countries in Europe could participate in the Champions League, while the champions of other countries could only participate in the UEFA Cup. From the 1995-96 season, the winners of the European International Toto Cup were also eligible to participate in that year's UEFA Cup.

All UEFA Cup matches use a home-and-away format, including the final. It was not until the 1997-98 season that the final was changed to a single match like the Champions League. In the 1999-2000 season, the European Cup Winners' Cup was abolished, and the cup winners of each country were also arranged to participate in the UEFA Cup. The third-placed teams in each group in the first group stage of the Champions League can also continue to participate in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

After the first round of the Dutch league, the UEFA Cup also kicked off. The Dutch Cup champion will face Genk from Belgium in the first round.

For the first time participating in European competitions, Volendam's players were very excited. They didn't seem to give too much thought to the opponent's situation, even though they were the Belgian Cup champions.

They had the momentum of a fearless newborn calf. They believed that nothing could stop them—of course, with one prerequisite: that they had a healthy Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun was healthy, Zhang Jun was fine.

"I know, I'll take care of myself. How about you, how's it going in Bologna? What do you do without anyone to cook for you?" Zhang Jun sat in the empty room and called Yang Pan. The room, once full of life, had suddenly lost half its energy. Zhang Jun was finally tasting the taste of loneliness, and he believed Yang Pan was too.

"Hey, don't you know there's a place in this world called a restaurant, and a profession called a chef?"

Zhang Jun laughed, as if he could see Yang Pan rolling his eyes at him again.

"I'm fine, everything's normal here. I train with everyone every day, and then go back to the hotel. The club is looking for a house for me, and I've met a few people. The captain, Signori, is taking good care of me."

"Do you think you can break into the starting lineup?"

"Do you think the club used its only non-EU quota to let him sit on the bench? Don't worry, I'll break into the starting lineup. I'm going to score goals too. You kid has exploded in the Netherlands, I can't lose to you!"

I can't lose to you! Zhang Jun suddenly realized that he and Yang Pan had become rivals competing with each other since when? He continued to score goals in the Netherlands, and he couldn't be mediocre in Serie A. He had never regarded his friends as rivals, even Li Yongle, the friendship was greater than the rivalry, only Kaka in Milan was an exception because that kid was too good. But why did they all treat him as a rival? Not to mention Kaka and Li Yongle, even Yang Pan was saying that now.

I can't lose to you. If Yang Pan shines in Italy, does that mean he has to work harder in the Netherlands?

A question that Zhang Jun had never thought about was brought to him by cruel reality: If one day, he and Yang Pan met on the football field, not as teammates, but as opponents, what should he do?

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In the first leg of the UEFA Cup, Volendam will face Genk at home. Wednesday will be a festival for the small town's fans. They hope the team can bring victory because they have Zhang Jun, a Zhang Jun who is incredibly eager for goals and victory.

Li Yan was still in Volendam with Wang Hua to report on the game. The situation in Italy had not started yet, and it was meaningless for him to go there. He simply threw Yang Pan to his colleagues in Italy and enjoyed Zhang Jun's crazy performance here. This game was of great significance. It was the first time a Chinese player had appeared on the European stage. The second will be Wang Hui, who plays for Manchester City in England. Their game will be on Thursday night.

The six-thousand-seat Veronica was already full. In addition to local Volendam fans, there were also Chinese from all over the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. They came just to cheer for one person.

Countless five-star red flags turned Veronica red. Chinese reporters marveled at the fanaticism of these people. Usually, no one knows that there are so many Chinese near the Netherlands, but when there is a game with Zhang Jun, these people seem to emerge from the ground, waving the five-star red flag and flocking to Veronica from all directions.

In the football world, it seems that only Zhang Jun has such appeal. China's national strength is strong, but in football, the world's number one sport, these expatriates have always been unable to hold their heads high. There is even such a thing that in the eyes of many Brazilians, Chinese people are refugees in football. What is the concept of a refugee? I am afraid everyone knows it very well?

The emergence of Zhang Jun and Yang Pan has gradually changed the views of those foreigners: China also has football geniuses.

Yang Pan transferred to Bologna, and the Serie A league has not yet started. Zhang Jun, who has already scored two goals in the first round of the league, has naturally become the focus of attention.

The UEFA Cup is an opportunity to show yourself to the whole of Europe. What kind of surprise will Zhang Jun give people this time, and what kind of response will he give to Milan?

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Zhang Jun stood at the back of the team, he felt the whole stadium was shaking. The fans sang and stomped their feet crazily. Fortunately, Veronica was not a shoddy project, otherwise... Zhang Jun felt that today's game must have set a record for the number of spectators in the club's history.

It was so crazy!

He kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm himself down, but feeling the crazy air around him, his efforts were to little avail. Until he inadvertently touched the bracelet on his left wrist, he suddenly thought of Sophie in China. When he was down, Sophie called him every day, and when he answered, he clearly heard Sophie's crying. She was always the most concerned about him, she was always the most concerned about him, no matter what, with Sophie by his side, there was no problem.

For Sophie, he must not give up, even if the Milan Lab report is true, he will never give up!

His teammates moved, both teams were entering the field!

Sophie, watch me play!

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An excellent player can decide a game, and Zhang Jun is gradually growing into such an excellent player. From the thirtieth minute of the first half, at home, in front of thousands of fans, under the constantly fluttering five-star red flag, Zhang Jun began a crazy performance called "Zhang Jun's Day!" (thejun’sdAy!)."

Hervel passed diagonally into the penalty area, Henna cleverly let the ball through, Zhang Jun, who came up from behind, rushed into the penalty area while receiving the ball. Facing the blocking of the defender and the goalkeeper, he shot powerfully, and the football slammed into the net! Goal!

But this goal was just an appetizer. The best goal of the game was staged in injury time in the first half.

Genk, who conceded a goal first, was eager to equalize before the end of the first half. They pressed forward aggressively, but were countered by Volendam.

Salden passed directly to the frontcourt! Zhang Jun started at high speed, and he got rid of all the defenders in an instant.

"...We believe that there are extremely serious hidden dangers in Zhang Jun's left ankle, and his left foot will not be able to withstand too much impact. In the Italian league, a major injury may end Zhang Jun's career prematurely... Therefore, Brescia announced that it will terminate the contract with Zhang Jun, and he can now restore his freedom..."

Zhang Jun looked up and saw the opponent's goalkeeper had abandoned his goal and rushed towards him. He could chip the ball now, but chipping the ball was too ordinary, and the "most wonderful goal" in Zhang Jun's heart should not be like this.

Watching the goalkeeper's figure getting closer and closer, Zhang Jun suddenly had an idea. He had just entered the penalty area, and his right foot was raised, pretending to shoot!

The goalkeeper seized this one-in-a-millionth of a second opportunity, and grabbed the ball with both hands, trying to snatch food from the tiger's mouth!

Zhang Jun's next move surprised everyone. He stepped on the side of the ball with his left foot, then swept his right foot over the ball, and quickly pulled the ball back. The football bounced when it was pulled back, and then he gently knocked the pulled-back ball upwards with his left heel. Then he swung his right foot and gently knocked the football towards the goal behind him, and the football swept over the goalkeeper who had fallen to the ground!

Zhang Jun himself stumbled slightly and jumped over the goalkeeper, chasing the football. Facing the huge empty goal, he had a hundred ways to choose to shoot, but Zhang Jun still swung his right leg round and shot powerfully!

The football slammed into the net!

goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooAL!!!

The Veronica that had boiled over could still clearly hear Zhang Jun's roar!

Scorpion!

Dragon Soars!

Volendam's teammates roared with Zhang Jun, roaring at the so-called authority: This is Zhang Jun, the Zhang Jun who was sentenced to death by you, the Zhang Jun who scored a goal with "Scorpion"!

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The storm that this wonderful goal caused in Veronica did not gradually stop until the second half of the game began. Nevertheless, the big screen would replay this goal whenever there was a gap, and every time they saw Zhang Jun use Scorpion to get past the opponent's goalkeeper and kick the ball hard into the empty goal, a huge cheer would erupt in the stadium. This was the best tonic for their own team, and a weapon to depress the morale of their opponents.

At the beginning of the second half, Zhang Jun cleverly passed to the young Wen, Wen crossed the ball, and Henna headed a powerful header to extend the score to 3:0!

Genk, the Belgian Cup champion and third in the league, was beaten without any power to fight back! Perhaps the atmosphere of Dragon Soars and Veronica put them under great pressure, but the main factor was probably Zhang Jun's murderous eyes?

After Zhang Jun's powerful shot was saved by the goalkeeper and went out of the baseline, the goalkeeper got up and saw Zhang Jun staring straight at him. His expression was as if he shouldn't have saved Zhang Jun's shot, otherwise he would be swallowed alive by him. He couldn't help but be stunned. Was this the Chinese forward who was unstoppable in the Netherlands?

After the corner kick was taken, it was headed out by the defender, but it fell at Kozer's feet. Kozer first dodged the opposing player who came up to block him, and then shot from a distance!

The center back blocked the ball with his body, but the ball was still at Volendam's feet. Louis Link passed the ball into the penalty area, and Zhang Jun took a touch while receiving the ball, deceiving a defender, and then switched to his left foot and shot powerfully!

The football went straight into the upper left corner of the goal, and the goalkeeper was once again beyond reach!

Hat trick!

Crazy Zhang Jun! After scoring twice in the last league game, he staged a hat trick in this UEFA Cup game as the first Chinese player to land on the European stage!

After scoring the goal, Zhang Jun roared with his head held high, his long hair scattered in the air by the wind. He was truly an angry lion.

Li Yan looked at the goalscorers below the score. Thirtieth minute, forty-sixth minute, seventy-first minute, all with one name: Zhang Jun.

When Zhang and Yang transferred to Serie A, he once thought that a legend would begin from this, but he did not expect that the legend would open in Volendam, Netherlands. A Chinese player who scored a hat trick in a European competition, Zhang Jun can be recorded in football history for this alone.

At that time, he thought that this summer's "medical examination storm" was a big blow, but now looking at it, it has instead made Zhang Jun mature rapidly. A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise?

Italy doesn't want you, so make a name for yourself in the Netherlands and let them see, Zhang Jun!

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"...Zhang Jun filed an appeal to the Milan Lab with a hat trick. He wants to prove to the world that he can. The second goal of the three goals is even a classic. Zhang Jun used Dragon Soars to get past the attacking goalkeeper in high-speed motion, and then kicked the ball hard into the empty goal, venting the dissatisfaction in his heart..."

Qiu Suhui put down the newspaper and said to Wu Shangshan opposite: "Has he seen it?" He raised the newspaper in his hand.

Wu Shangshan nodded.

"How do you think you compare to him?"

"There is still a gap, but I will definitely catch up!" Wu Shangshan replied firmly. Wu Shangshan is now the number one striker in the national Olympic team. Many people think that he, a Dalian native, must be Zhang Jun's partner in the Olympic qualifiers.

"Does the coach have anything to do with me?"

"Ah, umm. There is something, there is something. You go back to the dormitory later, pack your things and leave Maojiaban."

Wu Shangshan was stunned, as if he couldn't believe what he heard. He asked in a trembling voice: "Leave...leave the national Olympic team? Where does the coach want me to go?"

"Go back to Dalian, go back to the club!"

"But, but, why? Have I violated any rules? Or am I not performing well enough?" The young Wu Shangshan was so anxious that he was about to cry.

Qiu Suhui pointed to the newspaper: "Didn't you say you've read it? On the fourth page, 'AFC's new regulations, a player can only participate in the Olympics once.' That is to say, as an age-appropriate player for the 2008 Olympics, if you participate in this Olympic qualifier, you will not be eligible to participate in the Beijing Olympics. So I have to let you go back to Dalian."

Wu Shangshan breathed a slight sigh of relief, but was still a little reluctant.

Qiu Suhui saw it, "Silly boy, remember the training methods I gave you, and add an extra hour of training for yourself every day without affecting the club's normal training. Not much, just one hour. This will ensure that your level does not decline. As long as you can persevere, it is the same in the national Olympic team and in Dalian. Practicing in the Shaolin Temple is practice, and leaving Shaolin is also practice!"

Wu Shangshan was amused by Qiu Suhui's words. Although he had only trained under this coach for two months, he felt that Qiu Zhi was not an ordinary coach. He would often joke with everyone and rarely put on the airs of a coach. Everyone was not afraid of him, but respected him very much. In the two months in the national Olympic team, his progress was very obvious. Qiu Zhi was the best coach he had ever met, and those teammates would also be very good friends.

Wu Shangshan stood up and bowed deeply to Qiu Suhui, then turned and went out. As he closed the door, he heard Qiu Suhui behind him say: "...You must persevere..."

He wiped away a tear. Fortunately, no one was here, otherwise he would be so embarrassed! He would actually cry, it's only been two months, why is he so reluctant? Although he was not kicked out, how much he wished he could be with everyone forever, go to the dormitories to visit at night, listen to Xiang Tao tell dirty jokes, and listen to Liu Peng talk about Zhang Jun, Yang Pan, and Kaka's past. Also, participate in the Triangular League, win the "Golden Boot Award", and the reward for one day off was to take the initiative to add training with teammates...

His original purpose of playing football was to become a professional player one day, become a star, and make a lot of money. Now he finds that he has hopelessly fallen in love with football. Being with a group of teammates who also love football, the two months have passed so quickly!

Damn AFC! Why did you come up with such a bullshit regulation? Why can't you participate in the Olympics twice? If he could choose, he would rather choose to work hard with these teammates for the Athens Olympics, rather than wait for 2008 to enjoy the home advantage.

He doesn't want to go!

"You must persevere..."

But can he really persevere? In that kind of environment. Qiu Zhi, Shaolin Temple is Shaolin Temple, the mortal world is the mortal world, the mortal world can never become Shaolin Temple...

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"Hello? David? Haha, do you still remember me? Ah, that's good! Haha, I have someone I want to recommend to you... Well, don't you believe my vision? Haha! Okay, I'll send you his tape. Tell Sir Alex, he will become another Van Nistelrooy! Yes, yes, thank you for your trouble. Next time you come to China, I'll treat you to a pig-killing feast! Haha!"

Qiu Suhui hung up the phone, looked at the half-closed door, and sighed. "You must persevere..."

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A day later, a simple farewell party was held in Maojiaban for Wu Shangshan and the other national Olympic team members. Most of the people who left were reluctant and tearful. The people who stayed, in addition to a feeling of luck, were more regretful and reluctant for the people who left. Although Qiu Suhui said that everyone should be happy, and there will be training opportunities in the future. But everyone knew that in the happy and fulfilling training years, this day was the cruelest day.

Some people stayed, and some people had to leave.

On August 20, 2003, ten players left the national Olympic team, and the remaining twenty-five players will leave Maojiaban with their expectations and head to the Kunming Honghe base to officially prepare for the Sino-Syrian War that will begin in September.

Qiu Suhui's national Olympic team will shoulder the expectations of fans across the country and the "heavy" trust of higher-level leaders to launch an impact on Athens. More than half a year ago, these players entered Qiu Suhui's vision from this base, and Qiu Suhui also entered the Football Association's vision from this base. Now, they have to start a new round of impact from this base, starting from Kunming, starting from Honghe, starting anew.