Godfather Of Champions

0Toshack believed that once he had found the tactic to deal with England's "Gerrard and Wood Duo," he would have found the key to defeating the English team. It was not all big talk for the sake of mind games.      4

All along, England's core section was the duo of Gerrard and Wood in the midfield. Capello's England team was able to finish fourth in the World Cup in South Africa because it relied largely on the excellent play of both men, especially George Wood's successive breakouts.     

As a result, everyone thought that if England was to rise again, it would be down to these two players. As long as they could contain the play of these two men, then England would be no different from any other strong team.     

However, Toshack must have not anticipated that Twain did not schedule the appearance of the "Gerrard and Wood Duo" in the game. Gerrard was told he would not start in the match, and his replacement for the starting lineup was Wilshere, who had been nominated for best player in the previous game between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal.     

Gerrard gave no indication of how he felt about the decision and chose to accept it. He had played only alright in the last game, a fact of which he himself was aware. He had nothing to add when the manager did not let him start. He was not the kind of prickly person who was going to have a big fight with the manager if he did not start in a game. After all these years in the English football world, no one had ever heard of Gerrard being at odds with the manager about his appearances in games.     

Liverpool's media did not fight with Twain this time. From now on, the pro-Liverpool reporters had to accept the fact that Gerrard was getting older, and his position in the national team was gradually faltering. He would no longer be the flagbearer and symbol of the England team. Even if it were not Tony Twain who was coaching, the fact could not be changed.     

The change that Twain made caught Wales off guard.     

When Toshack saw in the technical area that the player standing in the midfield with Wood was Wilshere, and not Gerrard, he lowered his head and uttered a foul word.     

Gareth Bale did not care if Gerrard was playing in the game or not. Toshack had not arranged for him to guard Gerrard one-on-one. it did not make an impact on him whether Gerrard was in the game or not.     

The live broadcast was playing the national anthems of both teams. Having just finished playing Wales' , it was now playing England's .     

Bale seized this opportunity to look at Tony Twain in the visiting team's technical area.     

After more than two months, he was seeing his mentor again. But he could only look from afar and not go up to hug him.     

He averted his gaze after a couple of beats. He knew that the most important thing he had to do was coming up fast.     

His teammate at the club, George Wood, was in the line of players next to him. If there was no other surprise, he would surely be instructed by the boss to guard Aaron Ramsey. The Wales national team depended mainly on Bale and Ramsey. Bale was a full-back with a limited role and posed a limited threat. Ramsey, on the other hand, was the attacking midfielder and the playmaker who organized the offense. Sometimes he also served as the one who finished the attack.     

He understood the boss's tactical thinking. He could not ignore or dismiss such a player. If he especially marked him, then the Welsh offense was left to his own side.     

Ramsey was not yet an absolute mainstay at Arsenal. With Wilshere present and in the same position, he was a substitute player more often than not. Even so, he remained unquestionably a core player on the Wales team.     

Toshack's strategy in this game did not pin their hopes on Ramsey. He knew George Wood must have been assigned to keep an eye on Ramsey, so Ramsey's activity in the front field was only intended to attract the attention of England's defense. With Bale moved up to the left midfielder position, the main attacks would come from his side.     

After the game began, Ramsey was indeed quickly marked closely by Wood.     

His team had lost to Arsenal in the league tournament. He would not fall at the feet of the Arsenal player again in the national team competition.     

Quickly, Twain could see that Wales's attack was weighted to their left side, and he was very clear on what Bale's changed position meant. He had occasionally done the same when he was with the Forest team.     

Cardiff Millennium Stadium was no stranger to the players on either side. It was here that Twain won his first championship trophy. Even though it was an away game, he had a favorable impression of the pitch and thought that the Millennium Stadium could bring him good luck.     

In fact, he did have good luck.     

In the beginning, Wales did make use of its home-field advantage to create some threats before England could adapt. For example, in the 14th minute, Wood tripped Ramsey, and Wales got a direct free kick from twenty-seven meters.     

The penalty made Twain nervous. He got up from his seat and walked to the sidelines. He stared unblinkingly at the field.     

Bale came up to take the free kick, and there was a wave of shouting in the stands at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium to cheer him on.     

The England team were very careful too. They lined up a six-man human wall.     

England might still be a little arrogant and underestimate the opponent when they were in motion. But when there was a dead ball, and Wales was awarded a direct free kick in front of the goal, none of them dared take it lightly because they all knew how powerful the Welsh number 2 player's free kick was.     

Bale's free kick managed to get around the human wall. It also bypassed the goalkeeper's fingertips. But its arc was too wide, and the football flew out of the end line after a brush with the goalpost.     

When the football brushed the side of the net, even Twain had thought that it had gone in, which really startled him.     

Huge cheers also broke out in the stands at Millennium Stadium. But when they saw Bale lifting his arms up to cover his head in frustration instead of celebrating the goal, they realized that the ball had not flown into the goal. They had collectively wasted their joyful expression ...     

"Damn it! It was a great opportunity!" Toshack was sorely disappointed that the ball did not go in. He was aware of the disparity in strength between the two teams. If he could be in the lead against the England team at home, then the next game would be easier to play.     

Next door, Twain said to his assistant manager, Des Walker, "There is a saying in China that 'those who survive a catastrophe are bound to have good fortune later on.' We're in luck."     

　　※※※     

The England team, which had taken its time to warm up, soon launched a siege on the Welsh goal.     

Wilshere did not have to think about defense at all. He could devote all his energy to organizing the attack. As a result, the England team's offensive efficiency had improved significantly.     

Any attacking midfielder would want his partner to be George Wood because they could be completely free of worries. Without any pressure, they could naturally play at the highest level.     

"Wilshere's beautiful direct plug-in... He bypassed two defenders from Wales... Unfortunately, Mitchell missed the ball because he was too high!"     

"This time he personally dribbles the ball to plug in ahead. Beautiful! He shook off poor James Collins! And he shoots!! Hennessey's wonderful save rescues Wales's goal!"     

Toshack did make an exceptional arrangement to counter England's attack. Even though Wilshere's appearance came as a surprise, there was no let-up in the defense against several key players. England's attack was full of sound and fury but with little result.     

If the situation continued to develop, Wales' self-confidence would rise, and England would be in trouble. It was the Welsh team's home ground, after all. With more than sixty thousand Welsh fans cheering and encouraging their team, the momentum was scary.     

Twain stood up again from his seat in the technical area. He walked to the sidelines and whistled toward the field. After attracting Wood's attention, he made a gesture to move forward.     

Wood now no longer needed Twain to pull him over to his side and lay out the arrangement in detail. He knew exactly what to do during an attack.     

He nodded.     

Twain walked back and sat down.     

　　※※※     

In the 40th minute, England was awarded another chance for a corner kick. The two center-backs, John Terry and Steven Taylor, rushed to the front of the Welsh goal, ready to fight for the header.     

Bale noticed Wood dragging at the back near the center circle. He felt slightly reassured.     

He remembered that one of the Forest team's many corner kick tactics in the past was to arrange for Wood to wait outside the penalty area. Then when the corner kick went straight to the top of the penalty arc, Wood would try to score a goal amid the chaos.     

Despite seeing Wood far from the goal, Bale did not completely let his guard down. He did not join his teammates in the penalty area to contain England's center backs. Instead, he stayed outside the top of the penalty area arc, just in case.     

Downing, who was in charge of carrying out the corner kick, raised his right hand and put up three fingers, the secret signal for their tactics. Different hand gestures had different arrangements, and everyone in the England team knew what tactics each hand gesture corresponded to.     

After Downing raised his hand, it became even more chaotic in front of the Welsh goal, with players from both sides huddled together and tugging at each other aggressively in the corner where the referee could not see.     

But Downing did not kick the ball into the penalty area. He passed it diagonally ahead toward Wilshere, the small guy in the corner of the penalty area.     

"Spread out!" The Wales national goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessy, yelled, pushing the man in front of him outwards. He was worried that Wilshere would cross the ball, so he wanted to create an offside position.     

The players rushed out in a flurry. But Wilshere did not pass the ball inside. Instead, he turned around and kicked the football diagonally toward the back...     

Bale cast a glance to the center circle once again, and he found that Wood was gone!     

"George Woooood!!" The commentator roared.     

The disappeared Wood appeared in front of the Wales defensive line, which was pressed forward. About thirty meters away from the goal, he received Wilshere's ball and dribbled forward.     

Only Bale saw Wood at this time. He could not get to his teammates in time; he had to rush up on his own.     

It was a rare opportunity for him to meet his own club captain head-on in an official arena!     

This was not the time to care about their friendship in the club. Bale charged toward Wood's legs and ferociously shoveled.     

Wood certainly saw Bale's movements--he did it so obviously by charging head-on. He would have to be blind not to see it.     

Instead of shaking Bale off with a feint, Wood directly swung his leg for a long shot first before Bale could kick him or the ball!     

Although it was not a shot that was ready to be made, to shoot like this in a football game was still many times better than a perfectly-prepared attempt at a goal, because it was the human instinctual reaction. Amid fierce competition and lightning-quick attacks, the body's instincts were more trustworthy than the complex and sophisticated brain.     

With a muffled "pop" sound, the football flew over Bale's head and stirred up a gust of wind, dropping blades of grass on his face. He looked back at the ball as it flew straight into the Welsh goal.     

Wood landed on the ground a little messily. He made a dodging move in the air. If he hadn't done so, his knee would have hit Bale's face directly. The consequences would be too horrible to contemplate.     

The football he shot so powerfully was like a shell that hit the bullseye.     

Ten points!     

The speed of Hennessy's save was still slow in the face of this long shot. There were so many people in the penalty area, but no one managed to touch the ball. The football flew straight into the goal!     

"George Wood's signature long shot!! England takes the lead towards the end of the first half!"     

Wood fell and laid next to Bale on the ground.     

The two men looked at each other.     

"That was too dangerous," Wood said to Bale, and then he got up from the ground. He waved his fists to celebrate his goal.     

Bale laid on the ground with his face to the sky, watching countless feet appear and disappear from his line of sight. The cheers of the English players rang in his ears.     

He spat out a breath as his hands formed fists. He grabbed a clump of turf and swore, "Damn it, so lame..."     

　　※※※     

Seeing Wood score, Twain rose from his seat for the third time. He raised his arms high and hugged Des Walker in celebration. No matter what kind of game they were playing, to be able to score a goal first and take the lead over the opponent was something worth celebrating.     

After the halftime interval, the two teams changed sides and fought again.     

Wales still was still relying on Bale's offensive, so Twain adjusted his approach. Instead of strengthening the defense on the right side, he stepped up the offensive. The huge defensive pressure gave Bale no choice but to reduce the number of times he stepped in on the attacks. More often than not, he helped the defenders at the back and played more like a full-back than a winger.     

Toshack was a little disgruntled by it. But what could he do? England was in full attack mode, and his players naturally had to stabilize their defense first.     

Unfortunately, they could not hold on...     

The game shifted in England's favor.     

Ramsey was entangled by Wood. At the same time, Wood still had the energy to step forward and be involved in the attacks. Even a long shot from him was enough to make the Welsh players panic, let alone his superb long passes. Wilshere's and his combination of long and short passes had left the Welsh team weary and struggling.     

England scored another goal in the second half. The scorer was Walcott. As England was fighting back, he dribbled the ball and raced over fifty meters. None of the Welsh players could catch up with him, and a crowd of people looked on helplessly as he left them in the dust. He swung past the goalkeeper and kicked the ball into the empty goal.     

Twain showed his opponent in no uncertain terms how weak they were compared to England with Walcott's fifty-meter gallop.     

The game eventually ended with a 2:0 score. England comfortably beat Wales at Millennium Stadium. With two wins in two games, they had the same six points as Denmark. But they had more net goals, and now England was at the top of the heap.     

Gareth Bale played the entire game. After the game ended, he did not exchange his jersey with his opponent but went straight to the visiting team's technical area.     

Twain was celebrating the victory with his assistant manager at the time. Suddenly, he heard someone calling him from behind.     

"Boss!"     

He turned his head around to find that it was Bale. The sweat-soaked little monkey looked like he had just been fished out of the water. The hairstyle he took such pride in was stuck close to his scalp, completely mussed.     

"Gareth. You okay?" Twain laughed.     

"Not good at all. Your team just beat us." Bale pursed his lips tightly, while at the same time he spread his arms wide. He asked, "Can I have a hug?"     

"Of course." Twain also greeted him with open arms.     

"I'm all good!" As he let go, Bale smiled at Twain and said, "Now I don't have to envy them anymore. Boss, why is Bentley not here?"     

Twain wondered why he asked about the opposing player. But he replied, "His form has been average, and we have too many midfielders, so we did not pick him."     

Hearing the boss say so, Bale laughed happily. "Now I have a reason to laugh at him when I get back!"     

With that, he said to Twain, "Goodbye, boss. I've got to go back there..." He pointed to the pitch, looking a little forlorn.     

Twain rubbed his head and said, "Do a good job, Gareth. Try your best to lead Wales to the UEFA European Football Championship."     

"We're in the same group, boss..."     

"The second-best team in the group can play in the play-offs." Twain winked at Bale and added, "I hope to see you in the Welsh red jersey playing in Spain in two years' time."     

He reached out his hand.     

Bale high-fived him and said, "We'll be there!" He even shouted at Twain as he turned and ran away, "We'll definitely go!" He raised his fist and waved.     

"Do you believe Wales can advance to the next round?" asked Walker next to him. "There's still Denmark and Serbia in the same group. If Freddy had not retired, maybe..."     

"Hope is always a good thing." Twain walked straight to the middle. He had to shake hands with the Welsh manager.     

　　※※※     

Ramsey was looking for Wood to exchange his jersey. He said to him, "Okay, George. You marked me for ninety minutes, and I had gotten over it. Come on, let's swap the jerseys! What are you hesitating about? Still thinking about the last round of the league tournament? That had nothing to do with me..."     

Then Wood took off his wet jersey and handed it to Ramsey.     

"Wow!" Ramsey took the jersey and exclaimed, "It's so wet! Aren't you tired?"     

Wood ignored him. He grabbed the other jersey directly from Ramsey's other hand and put it on his shoulder.     

"We'll see each other in the league tournament. The next time we'll be at our home ground, so we won't lose to you." As he tossed off the remark, he turned and walked away.     

Ramsey looked at his back and muttered, "This petty guy can really hold a grudge!"     

　　※※※     

"Tony Twain has led the England team to win their second UEFA European Championship Qualifying game. England is currently at the top of the group with six goals and zero goals conceded. It looks like they have no problem advancing to the next round. The English press must be starting to proclaim that England is the strongest team in history this time, huh?" The television commentator in Wales said sourly.     

"Good luck to them."