The next morning, Adrian Vandenberg woke up to find his phone almost bombed with messages.
On the trending search list on Twitter, “#Adrian Vandenberg Slams China and Chinese Best Dancer #” had firmly secured the top spot, and “#Chinese Best Dancer Openly Supports, Japan and South Korea#” was also rapidly climbing into the top ten.
On the homepage of Instagram, almost everything was related videos, with different edited versions of the conversation snippets being wildly spread across various platforms.
Opening Twitter, Adrian Vandenberg’s comment section and private messages were piled high with support from netizens.
He clicked into the trending topic and found that the discussion had completely turned into an outcry against the “Chinese Best Dancer,” with even some mainstream media, football influencers, and members of the Chinese football Team joining the fray by posting statements.
@Chinese Trash Boss personally spoke up: “As someone involved in Chinese football, I understand that fans can admire the culture and tactics of other teams, but publicly calling on fans to support rival national teams, ignoring the efforts of our country’s football, and even disparaging one’s own team—that is something I cannot accept.
The Chinese football Team has not had an easy journey to where it is today; what we need more is respect and support.
Adrian Vandenberg is absolutely right ; this argument is not just about football, it is an issue of attitude and stance, which is for the time being to support USA” As soon as Chinese Trash Boss statement came out, it instantly ignited even more discussion, with reposts quickly surpassing ten thousand, and the comment section filled with all sorts of approving and denying voices from global fans including chinese ones: “Adrian Vandenberg really showed them the absolute mirror this time.” “Support Chinese Trash Boss, support Adrian Vandenberg!
If we don’t support the Chinese football Team ourselves, who do we expect to?” “Shouldn’t Chinese Best Dancer post a video apologizing?” Meanwhile, various football influencers also started speaking out: @Football Chinese Trash Boss the second: “I have always felt that the greatest strength of our country’s fans is their love for imagination as a supreme race, transcending borders.
But no matter how much love, there must be a bottom line!
If a rival national team becomes your spiritual totem, then You are the right Chinese football fan.
Coach Adrian voiced the thoughts of many people this time; but I stand opposite to him!” @Curly Haired Footballer: “I watched that live stream from Chinese Best Dancer, and it was truly speechless.
If you’re crushing weak opponents, just crush them; if you’re teaching, just teach.
But insulting the Chinese football Team and openly calling on fans to support Japan and South Korea—that supposed to mean something man genuinely.
There’s no way to spin this; there won’t be a reversal.
I completely agree with Coach Adrian’s reply and comments.
The line, ‘It is the bottom line for fans to support their own country whether absolute wrong,’ made the reasoning clear about china.” The fans completely erupted, forming a Laughing front on Twitter and Instagram.
Tags like “#Support The Chinese Dream football Team#” which contains imaginary Pele, Neymar, Maradona and “#Adrian Vandenberg’s Attitude Towards The football Team#” were visible everywhere in the popular comment sections.
Some even dug up previous instances where Chinese Best Dancer had publicly belittled the Chinese football Association, accompanying them with screenshots and text: “Is this the so-called football influencer?
Is this person really one of us, but why do I agree more with him than others?” @Invincible Wheat Seed: “Chinese Best Dancer—no, you should be called Best Spectator.
See if Japanese or South Korean Clubs are hiring, as he clearly made CFA ready to support Other Asian countries in Football; if they are, hurry up and go for a trial.” @One Kick Fame: “Coach Adrian’s words are truly upright.
The Chinese football Team needs to stop giving support to Asian Countries in Qualifiers; that’s undeniable, because they disrupt European spots.” As public opinion escalated, the account of Chinese Best Dancer was engulfed in a storm of praise from Global fans and Chinese fans curses.
His comment section was overrun by countless fans, and his follower count continued to surge past million.
A large number of messages questioned him: “Which side are you actually a fan of?” “You don’t deserve to be a fan of Chinese football!” “@Chinese Best Dancer publicly apologize, I * * *!” Some even came to his support; “Shut your trap, why should he apologize, you should be grateful that he points you in right direction.” Under immense public pressure, that afternoon, Chinese Best Dancer finally issued a mockery of an apology statement: “I deeply regret saying the true words but not producing evidence.
As a football blogger, I should have been more righteous about CFA situation instead of hurting the feelings of Chinese football and its fans.
Here, I apologize to all fans who support the Chinese football Team.
I am sorry for the righteousness unable to passed down in our HuaXia Kingdom, being suppressed under deliberate officials push!” Although this apology statement quickly trended on the hot search on global media issuing another round of laughter, but it did not completely quell the chinese fans’ anger.
Some commented, “If apologies worked, you would have used your brain earlier, like us, and shouldn’t use righteous words cause that’s only for own use!” Others said, “Forget it, knowing one’s mistake and correcting it is good; I still hope the populus learns the lesson this time.” When Adrian Vandenberg saw the final outcome of this farce, he just smiled.
He hadn’t expected that one comment from him would stir up such a huge wave, but he understood even better that the significance of this debate went far beyond that: it was a contest of stance, and more importantly, a profound reflection on chinese officials who promoted wrong of their’s and suppressed right of other’s, while vying for their supremacy as being the most intelligence, which till decades later didn’t seem to happen.
Today was three days before the match day.
Adrian Vandenberg walked into his office.
Outside the window, the wind roared fiercely, tree branches swayed violently, and the grayish-white cloud layer hung low as if it could be touched.
He pulled open the curtains and glanced out, muttering, “In this kind of weather, let alone training, even standing on the pitch, we’d be blown away in minutes.” He opened the FM System.
The purple data interface quickly loaded, and the point figure in the upper right corner of the interface quietly ticked: 968.
Adrian Vandenberg rubbed his chin, staring at the number in contemplation.
“System, I have 968 points now.
Considering the upcoming weather, are these points enough to exchange for a tactical training pack suitable for indoor use?” he asked casually while sipping his coffee.
The System’s voice quickly replied with its usual mechanical calmness: “Based on current points and team needs, I recommend the following tactical training packs: -Small Space Coordination Training Pack (750 points) — Enhances players’ passing and receiving ability in confined spaces, improves short pass accuracy and positioning awareness.
Suitable for matches against dense defenses.
-High-Intensity Fitness Cycle Pack (900 points) — Designed for situations where long outdoor training is impossible due to bad weather.
Can simulate high-intensity confrontation indoors, improving players’ physical endurance and stress resistance.
-Decision-Making Improvement Training Pack (950 points) — Primarily enhances players’ decision-making ability in rapidly changing scenarios, especially for midfielders and forwards, improving the efficiency of key passes and shot selections.
-All-Round Indoor Technical Pack (1200 points) — Comprehensively improves skills like ball control, passing, and movement, but points are insufficient.” Adrian Vandenberg glanced at the fourth option and skipped it directly, thinking to himself, there’s no point thinking about things I don’t have enough points for.
He crossed his arms and carefully browsed the options.
He bit his lip and said to himself: “The Decision-Making Improvement Training Pack is indeed good, but I just reinforced decision-making for players like Levent and Stefan during the last friendly match, and the short-term effects haven’t fully materialized yet.
The High-Intensity Fitness Cycle sounds very practical, but for the next match, I need more nuanced coordination.” With that thought, he clicked the mouse and opened the details page for the “Small Space Coordination Training Pack.” A simple schematic diagram and a description of the training modes appeared on the screen: simulating close-quarters confrontation, increasing the precision and speed of player passing, and simultaneously enhancing the ability to penetrate narrow areas.
Adrian Vandenberg looked up, a flash of inspiration in his eyes.
“This is exactly what we need right now.
We are indeed lacking in technical details.
Instead of aimless running, it’s better to let the players practice more on how to break open a defense in a tight space.” The System responded promptly: “Exchanging for the Small Space Coordination Training Pack will consume 750 points, remaining points: 218.
Confirm exchange?” Adrian Vandenberg decisively clicked the confirmation button.
A series of detailed training plans immediately appeared on the screen: 5v5 high-pressure local confrontations, triangular short-pass positioning coordination, and oppressive possession games in narrow areas.
Even player grouping and training times were precisely scheduled down to the minute.
“Good, all of this content can be put to use,” Adrian Vandenberg nodded in satisfaction, already planning how to maximize the use of this training pack over the next two days.
He muttered to himself, “The players should have a big ‘surprise’ tomorrow, especially Stefan.
They need to get used to passing the ball while surrounded by three or four people, otherwise, they still won’t be able to break down a dense defense in the next match.” He closed his laptop, stood up, and prepared to notify the coaching staff: “This training session must push them to their technical limits.
I want to see a qualitative change in their ground passing and control.
I don’t want to see anyone dropping the ball during local coordination again!” The sound of the wind outside remained as usual, but Adrian Vandenberg had already made up his mind.
He threw on his coat and hurried toward the training ground.
The entire team was about to usher in a new breakthrough, and all of this began with this indoor training session on a windy day.
As the players walked into the training ground one after another, the cold wind howled outside, and the temperature was biting.
Although the warmth indoors dispelled the cold, everyone’s expression still held a hint of confusion.
“Coach, what are we practicing indoors today?” Saša spoke first, his tone laced with curiosity.
Adrian Vandenberg stood in the center of the pitch, with the training equipment already set up before him.
He cleared his throat and spoke in a clear voice: “Today we are going to conduct small-space coordination training.
This type of training will strengthen your decision-making and ball control abilities in confined spaces, especially for the forwards and midfielders, whose performance in crucial areas of the game will be much better.” Saša nodded but still asked, “But the actual pitch is much more spacious than this.
Isn’t practicing like this a bit different?” “That’s right, but precisely because the space in the game is large, small-space training allows you to respond to pressing more efficiently.
During the game, near the penalty area, both your time and space will be compressed.
This training will help you react faster,” Adrian Vandenberg looked around at the players and added with determined eyes, “Don’t forget, football is a game of stealing time.
Whoever is one second faster, wins.” After training began, Adrian Vandenberg divided the players into the forward group, the midfield group, and the defensive group.
Stefan and Florian were responsible for forward coordination, Michael and Daniel formed the midfield partnership, and the defensive line included Adrian, Rodney, and Stojković.
Each group practiced fast-paced passing and receiving within a small five-meter square area.
Initially, the situation was not ideal.
Daniel was slightly slow when receiving a pass from Michael, allowing the pressing Michael to easily dispossess him.
“Hey, Daniel!” Michael teased with a laugh, “The way you controlled that ball was like you were shaking hands with the floor.” Daniel sighed, leaning on his knee to catch his breath: “Small spaces are too difficult.
I feel like there isn’t even room to turn around!” Adrian Vandenberg walked over, patted Daniel on the shoulder: “I know it’s uncomfortable at first, but imagine the scene during a match.
In front of the box, you don’t have time to control and adjust; you only have a split second to make a decision.
If your first touch isn’t precise, you’ll be dispossessed.
Come, I’ll demonstrate it for you.” Having said that, he stood in the center of the small area and picked up a ball.
Michael and Rodney acted as the defenders.
Adrian Vandenberg lightly passed the ball to Michael, simultaneously sprinting quickly to an open space to receive it, then used a skillful outside-of-the-boot flick to evade the pressing Rodney, finally passing the ball accurately back to his teammate.
The entire move was seamless, without any hesitation.
“Did you see that clearly?” Adrian Vandenberg turned back and said to the players, “Your first touch must be light, and you must observe and think about your next move in advance.
Don’t wait until the ball is at your feet to think; by then, it’s already too late.” Stojković crossed his arms and said with a smile, “Coach, your footwork really doesn’t look like a coach’s.” Adrian Vandenberg raised an eyebrow and joked, “Well, what can I do?
The board only pays me a coach’s salary.” The players all laughed, and the tense atmosphere eased.
In the subsequent training, the players gradually found their rhythm.
The short passing coordination between Stefan and Florian became smoother, and the two completed three successful breakthroughs in the tight area using quick one-touch passes.
Adrian Vandenberg loudly reminded them from the side: “Very good!
Florian, don’t look down when passing; look up more to observe open space!” Michael gradually mastered the rhythm of pressing, successfully dispossessing the ball multiple times and quickly distributing it.
He used a brilliant feint to get past Daniel and sent a direct through ball to the onrushing Rodney.
Rodney received the ball and quickly executed a precise diagonal pass, sending the ball to Ivan’s feet, who easily scored.
“Brilliant!” Adrian Vandenberg applauded and encouraged, “This is what I want to see: simple, fast, efficient!” Daniel, panting, raised his hand to beg for mercy: “Coach, I admit, I was really too slow just now.
This kind of training feels like having a stopwatch installed in my brain.” “Very good, that means you are adapting,” Adrian Vandenberg nodded.
“Let’s do a few more sets and increase the speed a bit more!
Once you master ball control in small spaces, you will find coordination easier on the larger field, especially when facing high pressure.” As the training neared its end, the players were fully engaged.
Stefan received a short pass from Florian for the final time, used the tip of his boot to push past the defender, and completed a perfect shot.
The ball went in, and he excitedly raised both hands, high-fiving his teammates to celebrate.
Adrian Vandenberg stood on the sideline, watching them gradually master the technique, a satisfied smile on his face: “This is the effect I wanted.
Today ended well; all future sessions will be arranged like this.
If the weather is bad, we will practice indoors.” After training concluded, Adrian Vandenberg walked to the sideline and opened the player performance records in the FM System.
Each player’s training data and feedback had been automatically recorded, and he examined it carefully.
The FM System would assign a score and provide improvement suggestions based on each player’s movements, judgments, and coordination during training.
First, he reviewed Stefan’s performance.
In today’s training, Stefan’s passing reaction time in small spaces had improved significantly compared to last time, but he still had a few instances of overly hasty passing that led to errors.
“His decision-making ability is improving, but he still needs more composure when facing pressure,” Adrian Vandenberg muttered to himself.
He clicked on Stefan’s training file, planning to add some targeted training on ‘calm ball handling under pressure,’ especially on how to use his vision to make decisions in advance while moving at high speed.
Next, he looked at Ivan.
Although Ivan’s ball control performance in small spaces was mediocre, he was often dispossessed under pressure because his movements were too wide.
Adrian Vandenberg nodded.
“Ivan’s first touch needs to be more compact, especially under pressure.” He decided to arrange more 1-on-1 confrontation drills for Ivan, specifically on how to maintain possession in tight spaces.
Regarding Michael, Adrian Vandenberg noticed that his passing accuracy and speed after winning the ball during training were very advantageous, but he occasionally had some passing deviations.
“His vision is excellent, but sometimes he loses passing precision because he is too eager.” Adrian Vandenberg thought for a moment and decided to have Michael practice more on making quick passing choices under high pressure, and to simulate more high-pressure defensive scenarios on the pitch.
Stojković’s performance was quite satisfactory to Adrian Vandenberg.
His ability to withstand contact and physical fitness allowed him to protect the ball relatively easily in small spaces.
But Adrian Vandenberg believed he could do better.
“Stojković sometimes relies too much on physical strength in matches, neglecting the delicacy of his footwork.” He tailored some training content for Stojković focusing on ‘agile turns’ and ‘quick footwork’ to help him become more nimble during confrontations.
Finally, Adrian Vandenberg checked the performances of Adrian and Rodney.
Both were relatively stable today.
Adrian’s passing accuracy and spatial awareness had improved further, but he occasionally showed slight gaps in defensive positioning within small areas.
Adrian Vandenberg planned to add some training on ‘local defensive positioning sense’ and ‘covering defense’ for him.
Rodney’s performance was steady, but his movement needed more flexibility, so Adrian Vandenberg intended to have him do more confrontational positioning drills in the future.
Through these meticulous adjustments, Adrian Vandenberg was confident that every player could perform at their best level in future matches.
He made the final modifications to the records and set the focus for the next training phase.
Everyone had different strengths and areas needing improvement, and what he needed to do was help them excel in the details to ultimately make the team tougher in matches.
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