Chapter Seventeen: China's Nemesis? (Impending Outbreak)

German Second Division, Round Thirty-Three. Hannover 96 played host to Duisburg, but their main strikers, Freddy Bobic and Calmon, were sidelined with injuries and unable to take the field.

Hannover 96’s head coach, Peter Neururer, announced the squad: Number 37, Mo Mo, and Number 30 forward, Karl, would start.

Word of this lineup quickly reached Duisburg’s strikers, Number 10 Kivineske and Number 13 Ebers, who exchanged knowing smiles and proclaimed themselves nemeses of Chinese players.

Earlier in this league, the two had combined to ruthlessly defeat Ya Kun with a 5:0 victory. Xie Hui was helpless, his attempts at sliding tackles and headers unable to turn the tide. Even Frankfurt suffered heavy losses at Duisburg’s hands; their best showing was Yang Chen salvaging a draw with a powerful shot in the dying moments.

There were no Chinese players left in the Bundesliga, and in the Second Division, neither Xie Hui nor Yang Chen had ever managed to get the better of Duisburg. So the sudden appearance of a young Chinese player was not taken seriously by Duisburg’s forwards, which was only natural.

Chinese media seized upon the opportunity for hype, and Chen Nu was again given the chance to commentate live on the match.

Those days, Chinese football fans were happy. China had made it to the World Cup, earning qualification to compete.

Those days, Chinese fans were pure in their passion. They loved football wholeheartedly, painting their faces just to shout, “Go China!”

Those days, Chinese fans were proud. We had Asia’s top striker, Hao Haidong (this claim had first been made by Saudi media in 1997, and Saudi Arabia was a major rival). We had Yang Chen, who had scored eight goals in the Bundesliga (at the time, eight goals was quite a feat). And we had Li Jinyu and many other talents.

Every street and alley echoed with cries and encouragement: “What? Some team looks down on China—will you watch tonight? Some say our country is lacking—will you watch the live broadcast and cheer for China?”

No matter how much was said, the match would not change. I remember the newspapers ran cartoons titled “World Cup Fantasies,” with a line: “The first time, we lacked experience and were timid.” But after waiting three more World Cups, there was still no sign of a second chance. That, of course, is another story.

Duisburg lined up in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation:

Strikers: Number 10 Kivineske (target man), Number 13 Ebers (advanced forward)
Attacking midfielder: Number 21 Waters (organizing playmaker)
Midfielders: Number 26 Guwan (ball-winning midfielder), Number 29 Nisko (all-rounder)
Defensive midfielder: Number 30 Grujiv (ball-winning)
Center-backs: Number 3 Derseck (clearance specialist), Number 6 Ebers (ball-playing defender)

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Full-backs: Left-back Bes (attacking), Right-back Olk (attacking)
Goalkeeper: Number 1 Brasas

Mo Mo stepped onto the pitch, feeling a bit dazed. This function was so unique! It was just the usual line-up chart seen during a live broadcast, with no stats attached, but even so, it gave Mo Mo substantial help.

It was like playing dice with two others, and you had to pick someone to compete against. You had three dice showing twelve points, but you could see the other two’s dice: one was seven, the other eighteen. Who would you choose to challenge?

The responsibilities attached to the formation chart greatly aided Mo Mo’s judgment. Their attacking power aside, take their Number 26, Guwan, the ball-winning midfielder. He would press and attempt to win the ball near the center circle, initiating counter-pressing. This could easily lead to positional lapses and leave space behind.

As the Chinese saying goes: “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll never lose a hundred battles.”

Duisburg’s traditional home kit was blue and white horizontal stripes, with white shorts and blue-and-white socks; their away kit was predominantly black. As Duisburg’s players entered Hannover 96’s AWD Arena in their black away uniforms, the mood was tense.

Recently, Hannover 96 had lost two and drawn one in their last three matches, including a home defeat to Yang Chen’s Frankfurt, conceding six goals in three games—a clear defensive issue. In contrast, Duisburg had two wins and one draw: a 5:0 thrashing of Ya Kun, a 4:0 win over Winterhaching, and only a 1:1 draw at home against Mainz, whose away defense was the best.

The match began, Duisburg kicked off. Number 10 striker Svenineske gently passed to Number 13 Ebers, the full-backs surged forward, Number 21 Waters sprinted towards Hannover 96’s defensive zone, immediately stretching the formation.

“Hello everyone, this is Chen Nu. I’ll be commentating on today’s match. Duisburg kicks off; their recent form has been impressive. In the last match, despite Hannover 96 fielding their full lineup, they scored six goals at Duisburg’s MSV Arena and won 6:2. Today, with their main striker absent, it seems Duisburg has a chance to avenge that defeat. But I believe Hannover 96 will hold out for at least ten minutes—no, five minutes. I’ll bet everything I have… uh!”

Suddenly, Chen Nu’s voice caught in his throat. Barely two minutes into the match, Duisburg scored at Hannover 96’s AWD Arena! A bead of sweat formed on Chen Nu’s brow. Luckily, the goal came early; if it had come later, he might have staked his entire fortune.

Chinese fans first looked incredulous, then couldn’t help but poke fun: Chen Nu truly was the master of jinxes! Whenever he said they wouldn’t score, they did; when he predicted a goal, none came; when he said they’d win, they lost; when he foresaw defeat, they triumphed. He should buy lottery tickets—if he picked a winner, everyone else should bet on a loss. Guaranteed profit!

The whole AWD Arena was filled with boos, their target unclear—home team or visitors? The team’s recent streak of losses had almost exhausted the fans’ patience. If the goal had come after ten minutes, it would have been better. Conceding right at kickoff—were they going to become another Ya Kun or Winterhaching?

Peter Neururer was also restless. He walked to the sidelines, wanting to say something, but couldn’t find the words. He could only frown at the pitch. Normally, he wasn’t so irritable, but amidst the roaring boos, even if he wanted to give instructions, no one would hear him. Any adjustment now might make things worse.

That goal wasn’t really a matter of strategy—it was more a case of the players not being in form, caught off guard by Duisburg, much like the 2014 Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid final: early in the first half, Atletico scored; just before halftime, Real equalized; early in the second, Atletico took the lead again. Watching, my friend was depressed—I rooted for Atletico, he for Real.

First, Number 10 forward Svenineske gently passed to Number 13 Ebers, the full-backs surged forward, Number 21 Waters sprinted into Hannover 96’s defensive zone, stretching the formation. Then Number 10 forward Kivineske moved, Number 13 Ebers carried the ball, both closely marked.

Number 13 Ebers, pressed by Hannover 96’s midfield, lofted the ball into Hannover 96’s defensive area. Number 10 Kivineske raced ahead to receive it, with Number 6 defender Link and Number 2 defender Zulau converging, one in front, one behind, to contest the header.

Judging by the trajectory, Number 6 defender Link should have reached the ball first, but he misjudged (meaning the defender jumped but failed to make contact). Number 2 defender Zulau, seeing Number 5 Link leap for the ball, paused his run, thinking to retreat and shore up the defense.

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But they never anticipated Number 6 defender Link would miss the ball entirely. After Link’s error, it was too late to react, and he lost his position. At this moment, Number 2 defender Zulau shifted to the side, calculating Number 10 forward Svenineske’s movement. As he moved, he glanced at Number 13 Ebers, noting he was still far off.

Yet in this brief moment, Zulau overlooked one crucial detail: Number 21 Waters, Duisburg’s organizing playmaker.

The role of the organizing playmaker might be unfamiliar to some, and explaining it is complex. But mention a few names and everyone will understand: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite (Kaká), Zinedine Yazid Zidane, and Michael Ballack. In short, this is the player positioned just behind the strikers, responsible for supplying attacking ammunition, orchestrating secondary attacks, and establishing the first line of midfield defense.

Number 10 Svenineske was a target man, his job to serve as a pivot. But the real threat lay hidden with Number 21 Waters. Svenineske leapt high, didn’t control the ball, but instead headed it straight to Number 21 Waters.

Waters wasted no time: outside the penalty area, he struck, the goalkeeper left with nothing but to watch as the ball sailed into the net. Duisburg led 1:0 at Hannover 96’s AWD Arena. Waters celebrated wildly, raising his arms and nodding as he ran, indifferent to the chorus of boos.

“We’re behind, but you don’t seem worried at all.”

Beside Mo Mo, Karl looked at his calm teammate, puzzled.

“Karl, do you know what it means to cut them down at the waist?”

Karl lowered his head, stared at Mo Mo, eyes wide with confusion.

“Later, don’t track back. Just stay in their defensive zone and be my pivot.”

Karl glanced around, troubled; the coach had given him heavy defensive duties.

“Listen, if you want to win, do as I say. Attack is the best defense. If we coordinate well, no matter how many they score, we’ll pull them back.”

Karl nodded. Mo Mo saw the fire burning in Karl’s eyes, and now he’d lit it. In truth, Mo Mo sensed that the entire Hannover 96 stadium was like a powder keg waiting for someone to ignite it.

It had been far too long since victory was tasted. Today, was the day to seize it.

4-1-2-1-2: the midfield was strong, but what about their wings? I’ll cut you down at the waist.