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Chapter 20 — Hoffenheim Awaits
📍 Oegstgeest, Germany — Oe Club
In the manager's office, head coach Golder looked at the report Eller had given him and said,
"You mean…?"
"Su Long's level has already gone far beyond the average in the Oberliga," Eller replied. "I feel like he's ready for the first team."
Golder tapped the table thoughtfully.
"The main problem is that the gap between the Oberliga and the Bundesliga is too big. The first team and the second team are at completely different levels. He's only 17. I was planning to let him play with the reserves for another year."
"Isn't the next game against Hoffenheim?" Eller said.
"Just let Sue see what a truly strong team looks like. It's not a bad thing for young players to experience a setback."
Hoffenheim were the biggest dark horse in the Oberliga this season — and the biggest powerhouse.
After 11 rounds, they had 10 wins and 1 loss, sitting comfortably at the top of the table.
Although last season they had still been a regional league team, every club in the Oberliga knew Hoffenheim's strength was already at Bundesliga level.
Last year, Hoffenheim earned promotion with a record of 28 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.
This season, their goal was clear — promotion again, as part of a five-year plan to reach the Bundesliga.
Their secret weapon was SAP.
Since 2000, with the continuous funding of SAP founder Dietmar Hopp, Hoffenheim has signed many players with Bundesliga experience over the past three years.
So in Golder's view, Oe II was no match for Hoffenheim.
Su Long's strength alone wouldn't be enough — but that was fine. It would humble him, show him that professional football isn't that simple.
"Just let him play against Hoffenheim for the experience," Golder said finally, picking up the newspaper on his desk. In the corner was a small photo of Su Long running on the pitch.
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In class, during the break, Su Long looked at the newspaper in his hands and grinned.
He hadn't expected a reserve match to make the news.
Even though it was just a local paper, he was still happy.
After all, this report wasn't bought with any red envelopes — it was written purely by the local Oe newspaper. That meant something.
Nelly's big blue eyes sparkled as she stared at him.
"Sue, you're in the newspaper! Can you teach me how to play football?"
Su Long looked at her, wondering if she was serious.
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That afternoon, Coach Eller introduced a new 4-5-1 formation, with Su Long up front as the lone striker. The team focused on defending and counterattacking.
Su Long turned to his teammate Blackpool.
"Is the next opponent really that strong? Why change tactics?"
Blackpool gave him a look. "Is there a team weaker than us in the Oberliga?"
Su Long laughed. "I guess that's true. But that was before."
Blackpool nodded. "Yeah, Sue. Since you joined, things are different. But this next match isn't the problem — it's against Goslar, who are bottom of the table."
"Bottom of the table?" Su Long blinked.
"Yeah. We were second from the bottom before. After your hat-trick last game, we have six points now. Goslar only has five."
"So what's to worry about?"
Blackpool shrugged. "I think this 4-5-1 defensive counterattack isn't for Goslar. It's for Hoffenheim — the top team. Ten wins and one loss, thirty points already."
Su Long nodded in realization. "So this weekend's game is just a warm-up."
Blackpool grinned. "Pretty much."
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After training, Coach Eller gathered the players.
"Against Goslar on Saturday, we'll use the 4-5-1 formation to test our training. Even though Goslar is struggling like us, as long as we fight hard, they're not our opponent."
Training ended soon after.
Eller called Su Long over.
"Sue, how are you feeling after the last game? Any muscle soreness?"
"It's okay, coach."
"Good. You need to start learning how to manage your stamina across a full season. It's not just about playing hard for one match — it's about endurance, recovery, and consistency. If you have any problems, come to me."
"Understood, coach."
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Time passed quickly, and soon it was Friday — the last training day before the Saturday match against Goslar.
Although the new 4-5-1 system was still a bit rusty, Su Long felt confident.
And as expected, after his hat-trick performance, he was again named in the starting lineup.
📅 November 24
🏟️ Oe Stadium
When Su Long walked onto the pitch, he immediately noticed — there were more fans in the stands than last time.
He was right. His previous hat-trick had attracted scouts and reporters from several clubs. Word had spread that Oe had signed a talented young striker from China, and everyone wanted to see him live.
It became the most attended Oe II home match of the season.
Less than 10 seconds after kickoff, Su Long struck again.
Goslar started the match with possession, but their backline looked nervous.
The striker passed backward to midfield, midfield to full-back, full-back to center-back — until the ball reached defender Fischer.
Facing Su Long's tight press, Fischer tried to flick the ball neatly past him.
But his "beautiful" touch turned into a disaster.
Su Long read it instantly, intercepted the ball cleanly — and suddenly, he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper!
Calmly, he slotted the ball home.
Goal!
The crowd was stunned.
Nelly turned to her friend, eyes wide.
"Does that count as a goal?"
Her friend hesitated. "I… think so?"
The referee confirmed it — goal valid!
"Wait, how long did that take?"
"Less than 10 seconds!"
"Exact time?"
"8.6 seconds!"
"Oh my God — that breaks the record for the fastest goal in the German Oberliga!"
Su Long slid on his knees in celebration as his teammates piled onto him in joy.
In the stands, cameras flashed — reporters capturing the moment they knew might be historic.
They had a feeling:
That No. 17 from China…
was about to take off.
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