The halftime whistle blew, with Qingyuan Team leading 2-0. The players rushed into the locker room, hugging and celebrating, the joy of victory radiating from everyone's faces. They chatted cheerfully, high-fiving each other in encouragement, as if they could already see the victorious scene at the end of the match.
However, at this celebratory moment, Ling Zhiyuan's secretary quietly stood at the locker room door. He looked around, confirmed that no one else was paying attention, then gently knocked on the locker room door, motioning for Qingyuan Team's Head Coach to come out for a moment.
Coach Sun, the Head Coach, was discussing the tactical arrangements for the second half with several players. Hearing the knock, he frowned in confusion, then walked to the door and opened it. Seeing Ling Zhiyuan's secretary standing at the door, a flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Coach Sun, Chairman Ling has something he'd like to discuss with you," the secretary's tone was respectful, yet it carried an undeniable implication.
Coach Sun's heart sank. He knew that Ling Zhiyuan wouldn't be looking for him just to celebrate a victory. He nodded slightly, motioning for the secretary to wait a moment, then turned to the players and said, "You all rest for a bit, I'll be right back."
Although the players were a bit puzzled, they all nodded in understanding. Coach Sun walked out of the locker room, closed the door, and then followed the secretary in the direction of Ling Zhiyuan. His heart was filled with unease and doubt, unsure of what would happen next.
"Coach Sun, as you know, this match is not only highly valued by the Guangzhou Football Association, but also by many leaders in GD Province. You are well aware of this, so I don't need to elaborate too much."
"This match is not only about the generous prize money, but also about which team can qualify for the National Games. Let me put it this way, Chairman Ling hopes that Guangzhou Team will represent the Guangdong Football Association at next year's National Games. I hope you understand what I mean."
"Chairman Ling also said that if Guangzhou Team can represent and participate in the National Games, he can consider letting some players from Qingyuan Team join Guangzhou Team, and even consider transferring the prize money from this match to your Qingyuan Team," the secretary continued.
After hearing this, a hint of hesitation and struggle flashed in Coach Sun's eyes. He knew this was a tempting offer, but he also understood the cost behind it and the potential impact.
He needed to consider the future of his team and players, and also weigh the importance and significance of this match.
Coach Sun stood at the locker room door, watching the secretary's retreating back, his heart a mix of emotions. As someone who loved football, he deeply understood the ugliness and desecration of match-fixing. This was not only a stain on his personal reputation but also a trampling of the entire Qingyuan Team's spirit. However, reality made him feel helpless and powerless; he was just an insignificant pawn in a huge chess game, and for many things, he had no right to struggle.
He recalled the ups and downs he had led Qingyuan Team through; every goal, every defeat, was a culmination of his and the players' sweat and effort. They had cheered for victory together, grieved for defeat, and that genuine emotion and strength of unity were irreplaceable by any money or power. But now, he faced a choice, to balance his beliefs with the pressures of reality.
Coach Sun stood at the locker room door, his gaze complex as he watched the celebrating players inside the locker room.
He knew that after this match, many of Qingyuan Team's young players would go to Guangzhou to study and attend school. This was an important turning point in their lives and a new beginning in their football careers. And to continue playing matches in Guangdong, they truly could not ignore the existence of the Guangzhou Football Association.
Coach Sun's heart was a mix of emotions; he understood the cruelty and helplessness of reality. As a coach, he was not only responsible for the players' present but also had to consider their future. He knew that agreeing to the secretary's request was not a simple decision, but a choice that concerned the players' future prospects and destiny.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner struggle and conflict. Finally, he made his choice. He walked to the sidelines, found the secretary, nodded, and indicated that he had agreed to his request.
The second half was about to begin, and Qingyuan Team's players emerged from the player tunnel one after another. The triumphant expressions they had in the first half were gone, replaced by a heavy pressure and helplessness.
At the same time, Ling Zhiyuan in the stands watched the field with a triumphant expression. He saw the changes in the Qingyuan Team players' faces and felt their inner struggle and helplessness. But he showed no sympathy or pity, instead, his determination and confidence grew stronger.
As soon as the whistle for the second half blew, Guangzhou Team showed a strong desire to attack. Their players quickly took the ball and then, like arrows released from a bow, rushed towards Qingyuan Team's goal.
Qingyuan Team's young players only made symbolic defensive movements, and then allowed the Guangzhou Team player with the ball to easily break into Qingyuan Team's penalty area.
The Qingyuan Team's young players, who had held an overwhelming advantage in the first half, felt as if they had lost their souls. They watched with dull eyes as Guangzhou Team's players easily broke through their defense, but made no attempt to chase back.
Ling Zhiyuan in the stands witnessed all of this, a sneer curling at the corner of his mouth. He thought to himself, "What good are these so-called excellent players? Don't they still need the Guangzhou Football Association to make a name for themselves?" His disdain for Qingyuan Team and his confidence in Guangzhou Team were evident, as if he could already see the victorious scene of Guangzhou Team's comeback.
The Guangzhou Team player, having broken through a host of defenders, faced Qingyuan Team's goalkeeper, who was also somewhat nonchalant in his defense. He easily pushed the ball into the net.
Watching Qingyuan Team's players after the goal, some faces were filled with helplessness, while others were filled with anger. Although they were still young, as they grew, they also touched upon some of the rules of the adult world.
There's nothing they could do; who made the Guangzhou Football Association control so many resources?
Lin Feng in the stands watched this scene on the field with some astonishment. He seemed to disbelieve his own eyes; Qingyuan Team, who had been far ahead in the first half, suddenly seemed like a different team in the second half.
However, just as Lin Feng was in shock, Qingyuan Team "accidentally" passed the ball to Guangzhou Team right after the kickoff. Then, the scene from before was replayed, and Guangzhou Team equalized the score in less than two minutes.
Lin Feng, who had reacted in astonishment, immediately snatched the phone from Snyder's hand. He gritted his teeth and said angrily, "This is a desecration of Chinese Football! I'm going to put the complete video online and let the world see this ugly face!"
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