The ten-day break finally gave Adrian Vandenberg time to reorganize the team.
The pressure of match days and the tight schedule often made it difficult for substitute Players to get opportunities.
During this interval, he decided to arrange two friendly matches for the team, against FC Ingolstadt 04 and SV Meppen Club, respectively.
This was not only to maintain the team’s competitive state but also a good opportunity to observe the performance of the reserve Players.
The day before the match, the atmosphere on the training ground was slightly different.
The substitute Players looked more diligent than usual, tackled harder, and their eyes held a fierce desire to prove themselves.
Adrian Vandenberg watched from the sidelines, holding the tactical board, occasionally giving pointers.
He understood that the substitute Players knew what the friendly matches meant to them, and he intended to give them enough trust.
“Levent,” after training ended, Adrian Vandenberg called out to the hardworking young man.
Levent turned around, looking at him with some surprise.
“Coach?” “You start tomorrow,” Adrian Vandenberg stated directly.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried weight.
Levent froze for a moment, then nodded immediately.
“Okay, I will give it my all!” Adrian Vandenberg patted his shoulder, a slight smile touching his lips.
“Starting isn’t the goal; practice is.
The key is how you apply what you’ve learned during training to the game.
I’m giving you a chance, but you have to seize it.” The next day, the first friendly match began.
Although the overall strength of the opponent, FC Ingolstadt 04, was not as strong as their League rivals, their toughness and organization were not lacking.
In the opening stages of the match, Levent seemed a bit nervous.
He was dispossessed by an opposing defender while receiving the ball, nearly leading to a counter-attack.
“Don’t panic!
Keep observing!
Alec, you need to track back too!” Adrian Vandenberg shouted from the sideline.
His tone wasn’t harsh, but it was clear enough for both Levent and Alec to hear.
In the following play, Levent gradually found his rhythm.
He began using his speed and agility to break through on the wing, frequently creating threats for the opposition.
During a fast break, he received a long pass from a midfielder, used a subtle feint to shake off the opposing defender, and then decisively shot.
The ball hit the back of the net.
After scoring, he only clenched his fist briefly to celebrate before looking up toward Adrian Vandenberg on the sideline.
Adrian Vandenberg nodded slightly, gave a thumbs-up, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
He remarked, “That was a good goal.
He finally dared to use a feint in a match.” “His positioning is also much better than before,” the Assistant Coach next to him chimed in, “but he still struggles a bit in physical confrontations.” Adrian Vandenberg smiled.
“He’s young; it takes time to polish.” The match ended 3-1.
Levent performed outstandingly, not only scoring one goal but also delivering a brilliant cross for an assist on the wing.
After the game, the Players returned to the locker room.
As soon as Levent sat down, he heard Adrian Vandenberg’s voice.
“Levent.” Adrian Vandenberg stood at the doorway, sweeping his gaze over the entire team.
“The goal was beautiful, and the assist was good too.
But why didn’t you convert your second chance?
What was the reason?” Levent expected Adrian Vandenberg to praise him, but instead, he was asked this.
“I…” Levent was somewhat flustered, “Maybe, I didn’t notice the defender closing in…” “Not maybe, definitely,” Adrian Vandenberg interrupted him, his tone serious but not accusatory.
“Remember, before shooting, you must learn to observe the positioning of the goalkeeper and the defenders.
You kept your head down staring at the ball for too long.” “Understood, Coach!” Levent nodded firmly.
Three days later, in the match against SV Meppen, Adrian Vandenberg still fielded a large number of reserve Players, and Levent once again earned a starting spot.
This time, he appeared much more confident, using the techniques Adrian Vandenberg taught him with ease during the game.
Not only did he show tougher resilience in confrontations, but he also managed to win the near post in a set piece, helping a teammate create a goal.
After the match ended, Adrian Vandenberg gathered the entire team on the sideline.
“In these two matches, I saw some differences,” he stood among the Players, his voice calm but firm.
“Levent’s performance has improved, and Alec was also good.
This is the result of diligent training.
The rest of you shouldn’t relax either.
Friendly match opportunities are few; treat every minute on the field as if it were the final.” Levent nodded, understanding that the Coach’s strictness stemmed from expectation.
Adrian Vandenberg knew clearly that this was just the beginning.
The team needed depth, and Levent needed to grow.
He believed that as long as the direction was right, these Players would surely be able to shoulder more responsibility in the future.
Besides training and matches, the football training and match analysis videos Adrian Vandenberg recently posted on Instagram unexpectedly went viral, attracting considerable attention from fans.
In the videos, he used concise language and clear tactical diagrams to share techniques from internal team training and his unique insights into football matches.
Suddenly, the comment section was flooded with non-stop messages, bustling with excitement.
“Coach Adrian, how should one judge the timing for an inverted triangle cross?” “Bro, during a counter-attack, how should the three defenders adjust their positioning to be more stable?” “Bro, when wingers beat their man, which feints are most effective?” Every evening, Adrian Vandenberg would set aside time to browse these questions and select a few typical ones to answer.
He even specifically explained things in a simple and clear manner, even uploading a few tactical diagrams he drew himself.
“For an inverted triangle cross, you need to look at the positioning of your teammates in the box and the movement of the opposing center-backs.
If the defending Players are slow to turn, you can choose to cross earlier after getting to the byline,” he wrote in one reply.
“Feints don’t need to be too complicated; the core is rhythm variation and precise ball contact.” Adrian Vandenberg’s replies were few, but every one of them received high praise because the content was genuinely excellent—full of practical knowledge.
Of course, a few fans also left some interesting comments.
“Bro, my campus League can’t gather enough teammates, what should I do?” Adrian Vandenberg replied: [Ask the gatekeeper uncle to start.] “Bro, is my shot handsome?
Can I play for your team?
[Image]” Adrian Vandenberg replied: [Practice more, look less.] “Bro, I built a model of you in FIFA, do I look handsome in this central midfielder position?
[Image].” Adrian Vandenberg replied: [Oh my, what are you doing.] This made his fans like him even more.
That evening, when he opened his private messages, he noticed a new message.
The sender was an account nicknamed “Chinese’s Best Dancer.” Adrian Vandenberg clicked on the profile and found that this blogger had 500,000 followers, and the video content mainly consisted of football analysis, entertaining commentary, and football tutorials.
The private message read: “Coach Adrian, I watched your videos, they are very professional!
As a fan, I’ve always wanted to find someone to discuss the National Football Team’s issues with.
I’d like to do it via a live stream.
I wonder if you have time?
Also, I must say, I am also a fan of yours!
I especially love your tactical explanations!” Adrian Vandenberg looked at the message, thought about it, and felt there was no harm.
Moreover, the other party had many followers, and linking up with him could expand his own influence.
He then replied: “Thanks for the support.
Discussing the China Football Team is fine.
When are you available?” After hitting send, he put down his phone, feeling a subtle sense of anticipation for the upcoming conversation.
This was a new attempt, and also an opportunity to spread football knowledge to more people.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Coach Adrian.
Can we do it tomorrow night at 8 PM?” “OK” …
When it was time for the live stream link-up that evening, Adrian Vandenberg opened the live broadcast room.
As the screen lit up, a large number of viewers instantly flooded in.
Comments scrolled rapidly across the screen; everyone was discussing the impending live stream, and the atmosphere was exceptionally enthusiastic.
[“Tonight’s live stream is explosive; Coach Adrian is actually linking up with Chinese’s Best Dancer.”] [“Yay, I’ve been waiting for this live stream for ages.”] [“I came from Chinese’s live stream room.
Is Coach Adrian going to talk about the China Football Team tonight?”] [“I want to hear Coach Adrian talk tactics and see how he evaluates the China Football Team.”] Both Adrian Vandenberg’s live stream room and Chinese’s Best Dancer’s live stream room were online simultaneously, and the audiences on both sides were excited about the upcoming link-up segment.
Everyone was eagerly anticipating what kind of surprise this evening’s conversation would bring.
The comment section was cheering, and the atmosphere was very high.
After the live stream started, Adrian Vandenberg and Chinese’s Best Dancer exchanged greetings, and the atmosphere was very relaxed.
Adrian Vandenberg opened with a smile: “Good evening, everyone in the live room.
Hello, Chinese.” Chinese’s Best Dancer also smiled: “Hello, Coach Adrian.
Everyone in the live room has been waiting for this conversation.
What have you been busy with lately?
I heard you’ve had some new breakthroughs in training?” Adrian Vandenberg nodded and said: “I’ve indeed had some new ideas recently, especially in tactical training.
I feel it’s more important to focus on targeted training based on individual Player characteristics, especially for young Players, where balancing mental fortitude and technical skill is very important.” Chinese’s Best Dancer said.
“Exactly!
I feel the same way.
Many times, technique is the foundation, but mentality is the key to allowing Players to maintain stable performance on the field.
Especially for young Players, sometimes their form is unstable, and if their mental adjustment isn’t good, a small mistake can cause their confidence to collapse.” Adrian Vandenberg nodded and said seriously.
“Yes, this is why we must not only conduct meticulous technical training but also focus on cultivating mental fortitude.
If a Player can remain calm on the field, undisturbed by external interference, they can make better decisions at critical moments.” The two chatted very congenially, exchanging views on training and tactics, discussing how to make timely adjustments in actual matches based on the Players’ psychological and technical states.
The fans watched with great interest, flooding the live chat with approving comments.
The conversation between the two guests flowed naturally, the discussion grew deeper, and the atmosphere in the livestream room became increasingly fervent.
The fans followed the train of thought of the two, participating by raising their own questions and insights.
When the conversation turned to the topic of the National Football Team, the demeanor of Chinese Best Dancer became somewhat serious.
He paused for a moment before speaking.
“I really have less and less hope for the Chinese Football Team now.
No matter how many head coaches have been replaced, the situation doesn’t seem to have changed much.
The key issue lies with the Players themselves; there is fundamentally no real breakthrough to be found.
Right now, only Japan and South Korea can truly represent East Asian football.
To be honest, supporting them might be the more practical choice.
Even Chinese Football Association along with government is trash, they don’t do anything.” As soon as his words came out, the atmosphere in the livestream room instantly heated up, and comments from the Asian bully Chinese fans flooded in like a tide, with opinions extremely divided.
[ “Are you serious, man?
Are you just writing off the National Football Team like that?” ] [ “I actually agree.
The National Football Team hasn’t improved in years; there’s really no hope…” ] [ “Support Japan and South Korea?
Why don’t you just support my mother?” ] [ “Strictly investigate this BYD.” ] [ “I only support the National Football Team!
I will support the National Football Team my entire life, and I curse Chinese!” ] [ “He does have a point, though.
Japan and South Korea are indeed stronger now.
The National Football Team really hasn’t had a breakthrough in too long.” ] …
The livestream room immediately erupted.
Some fans expressed views similar to those of Chinese Best Dancer, believing the National Football Team’s performance was disappointing and that supporting Japan and South Korea seemed more realistic, and in essence it was truth at its best.
However, a larger number of fans began to refute him, accusing him of being overly pessimistic and ignoring the efforts and potential of Chinese Players, which may be non-existent but was present nonetheless to support Japan and South Korea to qualify by defeating them.
What angered them even more was that Chinese Best Dancer was calling on fans to support foreign teams, I mean do that in secret not in front of everyone.
The atmosphere in the livestream room became tense because of Chinese Best Dancer’s remarks, but Adrian Vandenberg’s attitude remained calm.
He did not immediately refute, but responded with a tone carrying a faint hint of mockery.
Adrian Vandenberg said: “My thoughts are quite perpetual to yours.
I remain to see them try their best, the Chinese Football Team.
Putting aside other things, the achievement of previously qualifying for the World Cup decades ago, the non-existent breakthroughs in the Asian Cup, and the performances of Chinese Players who played abroad in earlier years, like Sun Jihai and Player seemed lackluster—and weren’t historical moments enough to make people proud ?
I don’t think your National Football Team is entirely useless.
The key is how they provide assist to Korea, Japan and to Asian Football.” Chinese Best Dancer, upon hearing this, was impressed and sneered, saying, “You are right.
That was in the past.
The current National Football Team can’t even break into the top few in Asia.
What’s the use of bringing up those old stories and few non-existent moments?
I only look at the present; past glory has nothing to do with today.” Hearing this, Adrian Vandenberg still maintained a faint smile on his face, but his tone clearly sharpened a bit; he had intention of remaining polite with this spiritual kin.
“Brother, your definition of a ‘Football Brain’ must be stuffing Chinese FA head full of football knowledge and then sealing off the exit for critical thought, right?
You think the National Football Team has no hope now, and you think the Japanese and Koreans can bring you hope?
So, you’re calling on everyone to support the Japanese and Koreans?
Seriously, how could you be so utterly devoid of sense to think audience would agree with that, even if it’s true?
I am 19 years old, and I can already lead a team as a head coach in the 2.
bundesliga.
Coaching the National Football Team is a huge honor for me, which I would not have the good fortune to accept, even if I have it.
And you, brother?
Is your glory being a passerby on the street who can’t play football without getting the entire CFA nutmegged?” Chinese Best Dancer squinted his eyes while slightly curving his lips upward and did not reply.
Adrian Vandenberg continued: “You must be in your thirties, right?
You spend all day humiliating unknowing Chinese Football team and Chinese FA why not give a cry to government, which will be making yourself look impressive.
I got curious, searched online, and couldn’t find any record of you as a professional Player?
Oh, so you’re just a football coach.
What?
Did getting a coaching license make you think you’re the China President?
You call the Chinese Football Team trash?
I think you are the real trash, for not recognising that your words ring in wrong ears.” The livestream room instantly fell silent for a few seconds, followed by an explosive surge of comments: [ “Holy crap, did he just disrespected the Chinese FA or not.” ] [ “That felt good, brother.
Curse this BYD hard for me, I’ll send rockets for you.” ] [ “Woah!
Woah!
Woah!, You all degenerates they just cursed the Chinese football team whole.” ] [ “What are you talking the person above.
Didn’t the coach just called that man trash and praised china.” ] [ Rocket x3 ]…
Chinese Best Dancer was clearly choked into laughter by those words, his expression becoming difficult to maintain, but he stubbornly tried to salvage the situation: “I’m just speaking the truth.
If you don’t like hearing it, just pretend I never said anything.” Seeing that the other party had clearly shown weakness, Adrian Vandenberg had no intention of backing down and continued speaking in a tone that was calm and mutual.
“Don’t interrupt me, keep listening.
Your nickname is ‘Chinese Best Dancer,’ which is quite a confident name.
But honestly, Chinese has produced so many legendary Players—Pelé, Neymar—even their youth academy Players have footwork that makes people applaud, even if it’s in dreams.
What about you, man?
After watching your videos, I’d say your skill level means ‘Chinese Best Spectator’ might be a more suitable nickname than ‘Best Dancer.’ Because inspecting Chinese condition you did that best.
” — T/N: You won’t believe me, but that line about china producing Pele, Neymar, Maradona was an original work, i didn’t edit that.
Though For a moment I was like, when did that happen, and started searching on google, AI and what not, then after 2 minutes I understood that was just bullshit.
WTF man they just destoryed my 5 minutes of life searching this bullshit.
— The comments in both livestream rooms instantly exploded: [ “Best Spectator hahaha hahahaha!” ] [ “You motherf*****s, they both are cursing national team, even as Chinese don’t you have a brain to comprehend that.” ] [ “MVP of the audience section, brother but he just said we produced Pele, Maradona, and Neymar” ] [ “What the actual F***, I don’t even comprehend myself whether you are licking his bottom or am I in race with brain deads.
Ha!
I give….” ] …
Adrian Vandenberg seemed to have no intention of slowing down his offensive: “Actually, I can understand you.
Maybe you just love football and wanted to give yourself an encouraging nickname.
But the problem is, your ‘footwork’ is actually quite a seashore wide enough to let chinese play between them.
I suggest you un-change your nickname and nonstop making Chinese take the blame.
After all, Brazilian Players don’t play this poorly, like your players; even the kids playing street football there could probably fake them out until they don’t know which way is up.” Chinese Best Dancer’s face turned red.
He opened his mouth to retort but couldn’t speak due to suppressed chuckle behind his hand, while the barrage of comments in the livestream room showed no sign of weakening: [ “Dancer brother, you should consider this new nickname.
I think ‘Best Spectator’ is quite fitting.” ] [ “Dancer brother, show us your dance moves, seashore we all can play.” ] [ “Why is Dancer brother getting a little hot under the collar?” ] Adrian Vandenberg followed up with a final blow, smiling, “Also, humiliating unknowing chinese passersby in your videos is certainly ‘shocking’.
But next time, could you find more challenging opponents?
At least find someone who can make you sweat a little, like a child in brazil rather than your country adult, so your videos don’t seem so…
awkward.” [ “Okay, Chinese Best Passerby.” ] [ “Screen recording this.
I think Dancer brother is about to cry.” ] [ “Suggestion for the video title: ‘How to Humiliate Unknowing Passersby on the Street in Shanghai.'” ] Adrian Vandenberg concluded with a tone that was neither heavy nor light: “You say the Chinese Football Team is bad—I don’t disagree; they definitely have areas needing improvement certainly taking an epoch.
But in my view, you, the ‘Chinese Best Dancer,’ are worse off and beyond saving but less like your home fans.
How about this: next time you come to Germany, I’ll arrange a trial for you in a regional League to see if you can make a substitute bench based on skill?
Worry not, I will arrange everything for your next work.” This statement caused the laughter which the ‘Chinese Best Dancer’ has hidden behind his hand to erupt abruptly.
“Sorry, I can’t take it anymore, Coach Adrian you must stop, or I will cry.”.
Chinese Best Dancer was utterly in tears while wiping his snot.
Every word Adrian Vandenberg said was true, leaving him no room to argue back.
He was completely broken down in tears due to laughter by Adrian Vandenberg, suppressing his laughter to the point of being flushed, and unable to utter a single word anymore.
He held it in for a long time, only managing an awkward, dry cough to cover chinese fans the embarrassment, but the silence in the livestream room made the atmosphere even more awkward.
Adrian Vandenberg looked at the other person on the screen, smiled slightly, and his tone remained calm yet fatally sharp: “Brother, here’s what I think: with your brain and mentality, you should just stop watching football from now on, as the fans home won’t be able to understand you correct vision completely.
Everyone watches football for fun; most chinese brains have to spread patriotism, that’s where you are an outlier among you kins.” This sentence instantly made the livestream room boil over again: [ “What does this mean?
Why do they not talk straight, why must they pressure my knees to comprehend everything.” ] [ “Dancer brother’s is crying while laughing, is his brain dead or what.” ] [ “Chinese?
Split-tos!” ] …
Chinese Best Dancer was completely silenced, like a conquered fortress, only managing to force out a stiff smile.
Seeing this, Adrian Vandenberg glanced at the livestream room and felt it was enough.
He said, “Alright, that’s enough.
Our Dancer brother is already heated up in laughter.
Everyone, please take a moment to let him breathe and help you all learn a lesson.
Remember, no reporting as this was a truth seminar, okay?
We’re having a civilized exchange.” The fans instantly responded: [ “Okay, brother, we are waiting for him to led him right to patriotism!” ] [ “Clicked, brother.” ] [ “Why are everyone here completely brain dead, aren’t they called most intelligence on earth in other novels.
Then how come they not comprehend it, is this what the government misleading from!” ]…
Adrian Vandenberg swept over the comments with satisfaction, lightly clicked the mouse, and closed the stream.
The screen returned to darkness, but the awkward laughter of Chinese Best Dancer seemed frozen in everyone’s memory.
— T/N: This may not be the best but bear with it, and if you like then Donate Power Stones for support for my work.