In Mark Lawrenson's observation, the game had reached the thirty-first minute, with the score still 1-0, Japan leading. According to the statistics displayed on the screen, China's ball possession rate had reached 59%, surpassing Japan's. However, no one felt that China had the upper hand, as this possession was mainly achieved through passing the ball back and forth in their own half. In contrast, Japan's offense seemed more threatening. When they pressed Chinese players like hunting dogs in the attacking third, they looked full of momentum, as if they could intercept the ball at any moment and directly face Sun Pan, the Chinese goalkeeper.

During this period, many Japanese fans repeatedly thought, "This attack is definitely going to be a goal!" but unfortunately, it wasn't. However, this didn't stop them from believing that the next attack would surely result in a goal.

Until the thirty-first minute, Japan continued to implement their pressing tactics in the attacking third.

Mark Lawrenson, in his superior position, watched the Chinese players pass the ball around. The ball was once again passed back to goalkeeper Sun Pan.

Keigo Nagai once again charged into the penalty area, heading straight for Sun Pan.

At the same time, Zhou Yi also ran towards the penalty area, making a move to receive the ball from Sun Pan.

Hotaru Yamaguchi hurriedly followed, sticking to him like glue.

But Zhou Yi acted as if he didn't see Yamaguchi beside him, gesturing and calling for Sun Pan to pass him the ball.

This action was very obvious, noticed not only by Yamaguchi but also by other Japanese players.

Zhou Yi was almost at the edge of the penalty area. If they could intercept the ball at his feet so close to the goal... no one could resist such a temptation.

So, not only Yamaguchi, but other Japanese players also leaned towards Zhou Yi, hoping to surround him and steal the ball.

Zhou Yi seemed completely unaware of all this, moving slightly to the left and continuing to signal Sun Pan to pass him the ball.

Sun Pan obeyed, kicking the ball straight towards Zhou Yi!

Seeing this, Yamaguchi stomped his foot and charged forward. However, he wasn't trying to intercept the ball directly. Instead, he was aiming to bump into Zhou Yi, intending to disrupt his ball control with this squeezing action. As long as he could affect Zhou Yi's first-time pass, that would be enough.

He didn't think he could be the one to directly steal the ball, but he could create an excellent opportunity for his teammates.

"Danger!" He Ping shouted anxiously when he saw Sun Pan actually pass the ball to Zhou Yi.

In his opinion, Sun Pan should have kicked the ball long upfield. Passing to Zhou Yi was too risky!

As the ball was about to reach Zhou Yi's feet, Yamaguchi bumped into him, causing Zhou Yi's body to lurch forward.

"Good!" Japan's coach Takashi Sekizuka clenched his fist and swung it forcefully. As long as the referee didn't blow the whistle, this would be considered a success.

But Yamaguchi was a little surprised. He didn't expect Zhou Yi to be so easily knocked off balance. He hadn't even used much force, fearing a foul, but Zhou Yi's reaction seemed a bit too exaggerated. His strength shouldn't have been enough to make him stumble like that...

It felt more like... he had jumped forward himself!

Thinking of this, a sudden thought flashed through Yamaguchi's mind.

Where's the ball?

He hurriedly looked for the ball.

He saw the ball whizzing past between Zhou Yi's legs!

Zhou Yi didn't receive the ball at all, nor did he pass it. He simply let the ball pass through his legs, like a train passing through a tunnel!

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"...Let it through?!" The Japanese commentator was surprised.

"Beautiful!! Aha!" Mark Lawrenson was almost pounding the table. This was what he wanted to see. You thought he was walking right into a trap? Actually, you were the ones falling into the chessboard he had set up!

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After letting the ball through, Zhou Yi didn't waste any time. While Yamaguchi was still reacting, he quickly turned around and sprinted forward.

The ball he let through landed at the feet of Yang Muge, who was directly behind him. He had leaned slightly to the left when receiving the ball, completely blocking Yang Muge and keeping him out of sight.

After receiving the ball, Yang Muge, with his back to the attack, didn't turn around. Instead, he passed the ball diagonally back to Zhou Yi, who was now surging forward.

At this point, Zhou Yi was facing the direction of the attack. He didn't need to make any adjustments.

Thanks to an unexpected let-through and turn, he had temporarily shaken off Yamaguchi. But Yamaguchi had already reacted and was turning around to chase back.

Zhou Yi trapped the ball passed to him by Yang Muge, and then, with a single long pass, he kicked the ball forward!

He didn't kick a high ball, but instead sent the ball skimming along the ground, a diagonal long pass of about thirty-five meters!

The ball cut across the Japanese defensive line, which was almost up to the center circle, and flew toward the flank behind them!

He Ying was sprinting forward at high speed, running towards that very spot!

"This is China's counterattack!" Mark Lawrenson shouted immediately. "'The Chess Player' Zhou Yi has made a key move! Checkmate!"

In Mark Lawrenson's eyes, he was seeing Zhou Yi, sitting in front of the chessboard, suddenly pick up a piece and place it in front of the opponent's king.

This through ball was checkmate!

He Ping was also shouting excitedly: "Zhou Yi with a through ball! Beautiful! An opportunity for China to counterattack!"

He saw Zhou Yi's through ball, and he also saw He Ying's sprint.

The Japanese players only reacted at this moment, scrambling to retreat, but it was too late. How could they possibly run faster than the ball?

The ball skimmed over the grass, flying low, then landed, surged forward, and slowed down slightly.

He Ying was surging forward on the wing. The two were rapidly closing the distance.

At the edge of the Japanese thirty-meter zone, He Ying extended his left foot, and the ball struck the inside of his foot, slowing down, changing direction, and stopping in front of him, just the right distance, so that he didn't have to slow down.

Then his right foot followed, using the outside of his foot to push the ball forward again, heading straight for the Japanese penalty area.

Behind him was a large group of Japanese players retreating in panic.

"He Ying! He's dribbling towards the Japanese goal! It's a one-on-one!" He Ping's voice trembled slightly.

He was both expectant and worried.

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After passing the ball, Zhou Yi stood still in his spot. Japanese players ran past him, and some of his Chinese teammates also ran forward, wanting to support He Ying.

Zhou Yi didn't do that. He just stood there, watching He Ying's back.

He felt that there was no point in him running up, because He Ying didn't need his support. He had passed him such a good ball, what more support did he need!

This was a one-on-one with the opposing goalkeeper! No one else going up would be of any use. He Ying would definitely not pass the ball to anyone else. This was a responsibility that a forward had to bear!

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Seeing He Ying dribbling into the penalty area, the Japanese goalkeeper, Shūichi Gonda, decisively abandoned his goal and charged out.

When He Ying entered the penalty area, the two met at the penalty spot.

Gonda lowered his center of gravity, almost kneeling on the ground, and stretched out his hands, trying to maximize his defensive area.

He wanted to build a wall in front of He Ying.

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Everyone stared at this scene, holding their breath, as if afraid that even breathing would interfere with He Ying's shot. But in reality, they were all in China, thousands of miles away, separated by television screens. Even shouting at the top of their lungs wouldn't affect anyone—except their neighbors…

But they still covered their mouths, held their breaths, and stared wide-eyed at the television screen, not daring to blink, afraid that blinking would cause them to miss the most crucial moment.

At this moment, the phrase "the focus of world attention" was truly appropriate.

※※※

Amidst the world's attention, He Ying swung his right foot towards the ball!

Just before making contact with the ball, he twisted his ankle, and the inside of his right foot struck the ball. The ball was kicked out, drawing an arc in the air, flying over the side of the Japanese goalkeeper, Shūichi Gonda, right where his outstretched arms couldn't reach...

In the blink of an eye, the ball flew into the goal!

"Goal!!" He Ping raised his arms and shouted, "Goal!! In the thirty-second minute, China equalized the score in the final! It's truly amazing! The youngsters of the national Olympic team are truly amazing!!"

"Hooray!!" Chinese fans in front of their television sets jumped up from their seats, cheering and waving their arms.

"Awesome!"

"So cool!"

"Woah woah woah woah!!"

A huge sense of happiness washed over them.

On the Chinese internet, many Weibo posts cheering for China's goal instantly appeared.

Everyone was expressing their excitement in various ways.

The Chinese players on the field were the same.

After scoring, He Ying ran to the corner flag area. In front of the camera lens, he grabbed the national flag on his jersey, lowered his head and kissed it, then displayed the flag to the camera lens.

Then his teammates rushed up and swamped him.

They were roaring and cheering in front of the camera lens.

Mark Lawrenson was shouting: "A beautiful goal! A textbook counterattack by China! This is He Ying's sixth goal in this Olympics, tying him with Brazilian player Damião for the top spot on the top scorer list!"

While his mouth was praising He Ying, who had scored the goal, his mind was filled with the image of Zhou Yi playing chess.

He really was playing chess. His own team and all the reactions of the opposing team were practically within his control…