Chapter 131 Sacrifice

After the kickoff, Sevilla didn't immediately switch to a defensive formation but persisted with the strategy they started with in the second half.

The two wingers didn't retreat too far, staying near the center circle, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

This prevented Norwich's defenders from rashly moving forward.

Zhao Gang dribbled, attracting defenders, then passed back to Phillip. After a series of passes between them, Zhao Gang kicked the ball, finding Freeman who was once again making a run down the wing.

The second goal conceded was entirely due to Freeman's recklessness. The first and third were also somewhat related to him, but not as severely.

However, Freeman felt that all three goals were his fault.

As a result, his mentality was unbalanced, and he was in tears, finding it difficult to concentrate on the game.

Zhao Gang's look made him pull himself together.

Freeman, who had initially been too afraid to move forward, charged again!

"Believe in yourself, believe in me, believe in the teammates covering for you!"

Freeman remembered Zhao Gang's last words, and a surge of heat coursed through his body.

"Oh! Freeman! Unaffected, he's still boldly moving forward! He accelerates past Krychowiak!"

"Mariano, facing Freeman, doesn't dare to press him, he can only keep tracking back because there's no defender behind him. If he's beaten, there will be a huge gap!"

"Nutmeg! A very beautiful move to separate the man from the ball!! Mariano uses both his hands and feet, he can't let Freeman break through!"

"The ball is still under Freeman's control, the referee hasn't stopped the game! But that interfered with Freeman's dribbling rhythm. Krychowiak chases back, with Hilo supporting him. Krychowiak has no choice but to kick the ball out for a corner kick!"

"Freeman's series of breakthroughs! What did Zhao Gang say to him to make the almost-despairing Freeman unleash two hundred percent of his fighting power!"

Freeman didn't argue with Mariano for pulling him, nor did he go to the referee to argue. Instead, he quickly grabbed the ball and ran to the corner flag, then quickly ran towards the edge of the penalty area.

Zhao Gang also quickly ran over.

"Inside Sevilla's penalty area, Norwich has as many as five attacking players... This kind of corner kick opportunity is very important to them... Huh?? Huh??" Shen Jian suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"Huh? This ball... this ball went in? Sevilla's players are surrounding the referee... Is it valid? The referee points to the center circle, the goal is valid!!!"

"Goal! Goal! Norwich pulls one back!"

It wasn't until the referee signaled that the goal was valid that a somewhat bewildered Hilo roared loudly.

The Norwich fans in the stadium, who were also a little disoriented, instantly cheered with passion.

"Hahaha..." Henry suddenly laughed first, then continued to comment, "Zhao Gang took the corner kick before the referee blew the whistle. Sevilla's defenders were clearly not prepared. The alert Hilo directly stretched his foot and poked the ball into the net!

According to the rules, a corner kick doesn't require the referee to signal with a whistle. The kicker only needs to tell the referee that he's ready and can take it at any time!

We usually see the referee blowing the whistle to remind the defenders and attackers in the penalty area, not to signal the kicker to prepare to take the kick!

Because the kicker needs his teammates to be ready to attack, he usually takes the kick after the referee blows the whistle! This gives many players a kind of illusion...

Sevilla's players didn't notice Zhao Gang's gesture! He informed the referee before taking the kick and, after getting the referee's permission, the corner kick could be taken!"

The more professional Henry had already shouted that the goal was valid when the ball went in.

If this goal were disallowed by the referee, it would be a real misjudgment.

Sevilla's players protested frantically, including coach Emery, who kept complaining to the fourth official.

The referee pointed forward with both hands and briefly explained the rules.

Then, with a whistle, they went to the center circle to kick off!

"Hilo didn't let Zhao Gang down this time. He stood in front of the goal, very alert. The moment he saw the ball, he didn't daze but directly poked it into the net!

Helping Norwich pull back a goal, there are still at least fifteen minutes left! Norwich has a very good chance of dragging the game into extra time!!"

Many Dragon Country viewers were dumbfounded.

"That's okay too??"

"I didn't know the rules were like this!"

"Damn, this referee knows the rules."

"Thank goodness it's not a Dragon Country referee!!"

"Zhao Gang is awesome!! Keep it up!!"

"Score another one!!"

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Klopp, who had been staring at the screen, narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

Hmm...

Hmm?

Hmm!!!

This is a very brilliant tactic.

Although this kind of quick kick is very likely that your own attacking players are not ready, but as long as you practice it in advance, you may be able to achieve very good results at a critical time.

I can try it later.

Freeman, like an tireless iron man, assisted in the attack and quickly retreated back to the defensive area.

This time, he didn't rush to steal. Cork's breakthrough was very destructive.

Only when he was sure that someone was covering behind him would he approach Cork.

At the same time, Hilo also moved to the left, starting a siege of Cork.

Cork couldn't break through with the ball and wanted to pass it back, but found Hilo also rushing over.

He could only helplessly dribble the ball towards the corner flag, protecting the ball with his back to the goal.

At this time, it was difficult for him to see his supporting teammates. His footwork was indeed outstanding. He actually withstood the defense of two people and flicked the ball out of the gap with his heel.

The moment Freeman and Hilo turned their heads, Cork had already squeezed out and was about to dribble.

Suddenly, a tall center-back appeared in front.

What the hell!

Mendy kicked the ball hard into the stands.

"Defense!!!" Then, Mendy roared and quickly retreated near the penalty area. Norwich's players quickly took their positions.

Now, that Norwich was back.

Aggressive defense, solid cooperation, and fast cover!

Sevilla's tactics had begun to change. Cork and Vitolo began to position themselves further back.

After conceding a goal, the situation had changed somewhat.

Once they recklessly attacked again and Norwich scored another goal on the counterattack, the momentum would shift, and extra time would be difficult to play.

On the sidelines, Emery kept signaling to his players to retreat, retreat!

Control the ball after getting it!

Even if there are attacking opportunities, the two full-backs should not rush up easily!

Let the front three cooperate with the defensive midfielder to attack.

The defenders should solidify the defense!

Norwich's two wingers had rushed out like wild horses.

Zhao Gang, who was orchestrating the attack from the center, kept distributing the ball to the two wings.

The breakthroughs on the two wings brought no small trouble to Sevilla.

And once Norwich's ball was intercepted, the players on the two wings were like they had taken drugs, desperately pressing, disrupting, and tracking back.

Making it difficult for Sevilla's defenders and midfielders to form a stable passing game.

Forcing them to be unable to launch a counterattack, and only able to pass to nearby supporting players to control possession.

At this time, Sevilla's players didn't have good passing opportunities and wouldn't rashly look for the attacking group in the frontcourt.

Because they needed to stall for time, the further they went, the more advantageous it would be for them!

Sevilla's backcourt wanted to pass the ball around to control possession, but how could Norwich's players agree?

Although the formation was stretched very wide, these players pressed almost simultaneously, making it difficult for Sevilla's ball-holder to pass the ball out!

The eighty-seventh minute of the match.

Norwich's full-court press paid off.

In Sevilla's backcourt, Hilo kept running after the ball, non-stop, and intercepted Mariano's cross pass.

Instantly, Sevilla's defenders quickly retreated, preparing to defend!

Hilo didn't choose to dribble. At this time, he chose the style of play he trusted most.

He pushed it directly back and then accelerated forward towards the penalty area, Zhao Gang ran over to catch the ball.

"Zhao Gang didn't choose to pass, but instead dribbled forward directly! Sevilla's players began to encircle and intercept!"

"Many gaps, both left and right are completely empty!!" Shen Jian saw the movement on the field. Because Zhao Gang was holding the ball in the center, Sevilla's players were intentionally or unintentionally moving closer to the center.

Freeman and Bryan on both sides of the field were almost stepping on the sidelines to support.

"Ospina is in the center, Hilo and Phillip are on both sides of Ospina, Sevilla's defense hasn't stabilized yet!"

"Zhao Gang passes the ball!!"

Zhao Gang, who was breaking through, saw N'Zonzi and Carriço's interception in front of him, and with a swing of his foot, he directly lifted the ball up.

"Ospina in the penalty area! Rami's defense!!"

Throughout the entire match, Ospina hadn't had a good opportunity because he was indeed much worse than Rami, whether in terms of technique or experience, and his judgment of the ball's landing point was too far off.

"Ospina's Looking at the Moon from the Sea!!"

Ospina charged while turning his head to look at Zhao Gang's pass.

He jumped high, and Rami's defense in front of him had already blocked his position!

"Passes back to Hilo!!"

"Hilo ah!!!! Hilo!!" Brooke stood up with a whoosh, his eyes almost popped out, and his throat was almost hoarse.

"Hilo!!"

Ospina fell heavily to the ground, but his eyes kept staring at the football, unwilling to leave.

Hilo lifted his foot, and the football that hadn't landed was kicked into the net by him!!

"Hilo!!"

"Whoa!!!"

The Norwich fans who had been waiting nervously instantly stretched their bodies, venting the repressed emotions of the entire half.

Hilo opened his mouth wide and hammered his chest hard.

His face was terrifying.

"Hilo! Hilo wasted two certain-goal opportunities passed by Zhao Gang in the first half! In the second half, he did it!!

Scoring twice!

He did it! He saved the team, saved himself!!

Completed his own redemption!!

Norwich ties the score!

The eighty-ninth minute of the match! Zhao Gang initiated the attack, lifted the ball into the penalty area, Ospina, who had no chance to perform in the entire match, looked at the moon from the sea and passed the ball to Hilo who followed up, Hilo shot the ball into the net without stopping it!

3:3!

Norwich!

A wonderful and great game!!"

"Wow!!" Ollie spread her arms, her eyes were full of little stars, and she smiled happily.

They really did it, they really did it!

In that situation, Norwich's players didn't give up!

At the last moment, they tied the score!

"This is football, passionate and beautiful, magnificent and magical! Until the last moment, we don't know what will happen! Norwich did it!" Henry cheered loudly with the fans.

Hilo hugged Zhao Gang tightly, I did it.

I didn't let you down, didn't let down the trust of my teammates!

Sevilla's players were kicking the turf, and the fans who had been cheering were now looking not so good.

Norwich, thought to be a weak team, a second-rate team in the English Championship.

Actually... actually so powerful?

That guy, that young guy.

It was him, it was him who encouraged his teammates with his fists.

Just one "Hey!" made these people like they had been injected with chicken blood.

What kind of personality charm is that!

Sevilla kicked off in the center circle.

Six minutes of stoppage time.

The excited Norwich players didn't stop.

They quickly started pressing.

For three minutes, Norwich's players didn't stop for a moment!

"Norwich's players are not just defending, they are still pressing! It seems they don't want to... Phillip intercepted N'Zonzi's ball..."

"This is an opportunity!"

Instantly, Norwich's players began to move forward, while Sevilla's players began to retreat in a bit of a panic.

Freeman rushed up again.

"Oh, Phillip! He trusts Zhao Gang too much. He didn't dribble the ball in front of a large empty space. At this time, he chose to pass it horizontally to Zhao Gang, and Mariano saw through his intention to pass! Mariano intercepted the ball near the midfield, and at this time Norwich's players have already pressed up, very dangerous!!!"

Phillip didn't have time to be frustrated, and he devoted himself to the retreat.

Freeman, who had run more than ten meters across the half, gritted his teeth, turned his head and sprinted!

"Mariano, N'Zonzi, Cork!!"

Sevilla's passing speed was very fast.

And Cork, who had not retreated, succeeded in being offside and drove straight in with the ball!

Right-back Bryan killed all the way from the right to the middle.

Mendy, who was not very fast, finally managed to squeeze Cork, who was rushing into the middle, with the help of Bryan!

In a flash of lightning, Cork had lost the best shooting opportunity.

He could only turn halfway and move to the right.

And Gameiro, who had been silent for half a match, appeared in the penalty area again at this time.

Sevilla's attacking group also rushed up all the way.

Cork looked up, and Gameiro was empty!

He quickly started, dribbled horizontally, and got rid of the defense.

As long as this ball is passed, there is a great chance of forming a one-on-one!

Just as Cork raised his foot, a golden light flashed before his eyes.

Swish! What the hell??

Freeman rushed past like a golden light, bent his legs to protect the ball, and then bounced up with the help of his waist strength.

"Freeman's timely steal!!"

Cork, who had his very threatening attack disrupted by Freeman, was a little annoyed.

He saw Freeman protect the ball and get up, preparing to launch a counterattack.

Cork rushed over, preparing to directly knock Freeman down and disrupt the counterattack.

But Freeman was extremely agile, pulled the ball and passed Cork!

In order to stop Freeman, Cork could only use both his hands and feet, tripping and pulling!

At this time, Sevilla's players were attacking so deep, he must not let him pass the ball out!

The two entangled together, and Cork raised his hand and smashed it on the corner of Freeman's eye.

Freeman fell to the ground clutching his face. When his head was blank, he subconsciously poked the ball out.

He fell there, struggling to raise his head, half of his face stained with blood, coupled with a painful and uncomfortable expression, it was a bit terrifying and creepy.

He saw that golden figure, like a god descending to earth, taking the ball forward.

Zhao, kick it in!

Kick it in, Zhao!