Chapter 356 - 190: Three Years Later, The Polo Match (3)
In the VIP box, Yang Wenqing and Zuo Hong’s eyes were glued to the figures on the field.
The game clock ticked by, minute by minute. Both sides traded blows, but neither managed to score, and a tense atmosphere permeated the entire stadium.
As the first half drew to a close, the Lingshan Team won a line-out in their opponent’s territory. The rider taking the hit surveyed the field and, forgoing a conventional short pass, unleashed a powerful, driving long pass, lofting the ball deep into the Yuzhi Team’s penalty area.
There, an attacking player from the Lingshan Team suddenly burst forward like a cheetah, getting ahead of the Yuzhi Team’s defenders. Meeting the incoming ball, he twisted his body on the back of his galloping horse and swung his mallet!
"THUMP!"
With a dull thud, the polo ball shot like a cannonball straight into the top corner of the goal!
"It’s a goal! The Lingshan County Polo Team breaks the deadlock in first-half stoppage time! It’s 1-0!!!"
The entire stadium erupted, and the blue and white stands instantly became a sea of celebration.
Zuo Hong’s brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly relaxed, letting out a soft "tsk."
Yang Wenqing also felt a wave of relief, but his face remained impassive.
In the second half, the trailing Yuzhi Team launched a frantic comeback. They adjusted their tactics, focusing more on breaking through on the wings and powerful charges down the center, putting immense pressure on the Lingshan Team’s defensive line. In response, the Lingshan Team fell back into a full defensive formation, relying on their tenacious defense and swift counterattacks to hold them off.
In the seventy-fifth minute, the Yuzhi Team’s relentless efforts finally paid off. After a brilliant display of teamwork, their captain managed to poke the ball into the net from the middle of a chaotic scrum.
Both teams were back at the starting line.
The white-clad stands of Yuzhi County erupted in ecstatic cheers, like survivors celebrating their deliverance.
The final ten-odd minutes of the match reached a fever pitch. Both teams gave it their all, and the transitions between offense and defense were dizzyingly fast. As stamina declined, mistakes began to pile up, but their fighting spirit only soared higher.
The entire crowd was on its feet, cheering hoarsely for their respective teams.
Just when everyone thought the match was headed for overtime, in the final minute of stoppage time, the Lingshan Team was awarded a free kick in a promising forward position.
The stadium immediately erupted with a torrent of curses, as the call seemed blatantly biased toward the Lingshan County team.
The rider taking the kick took a deep breath. As the entire stadium watched with bated breath, he began his run-up and swung his mallet...
The polo ball traced a wicked curve, bending around the wall of players and heading straight for the goal. The Yuzhi Team’s goalie dove for the save, but the ball was too fast, the angle too severe.
"CLANG!"
The ball struck the inside of the post and ricocheted into the net!
"A last-second winner! The Lingshan County Polo Team scores at the death! It’s 2-1! They’ve won the match! They will be the team representing Coral City in the Provincial Government finals!"
The entire arena erupted in a frenzied celebration, the cheers soaring to the heavens.
In the VIP box, Zuo Hong was silent for a moment. He then turned to Yang Wenqing and said magnanimously, "Congratulations, Director Yang. That Magistrate Wang Yanzhi of yours truly possesses great Divine Power. I’ll have my people take care of that ten million as we agreed."
Yang Wenqing extended his hand and shook Zuo Hong’s without a word. He knew the man was making a dig about the final, crucial call.
"I’ll be taking my leave."
Zuo Hong gave a magnanimous smile, then turned and left without hesitation.
Yang Wenqing looked down at the Lingshan Team players being tossed into the air by their teammates. On his shoulder, Lan Ying let out a clear, high-pitched cry, also cheering for Lingshan County’s victory.
Just then, the Communication Array on Yang Wenqing’s badge pulsed with Spiritual Qi. He answered, and as expected, it was Wang Yanzhi.