Chapter 128: Advancing in First Place

Although Harry Kane is England’s darling among the media and pundits—scoring prolifically for Tottenham and boasting efficiency that ranks him among Europe’s top strikers—in Dai Zhiwei’s eyes, Kane still falls far short of being a world-class forward.

By the numbers alone, Kane’s goal tally rivals, if not surpasses, those of elite strikers from Europe’s powerhouse clubs. Yet beyond the statistics, there seems little else to set him apart.

Most regard Kane as an excellent player, but not quite at the echelon of Suarez, Messi, or Ronaldo. He lacks a defining, iconic moment—one that would cement his name globally and elevate him beyond merely being a very good player. He needs a career-defining highlight to propel himself onto a new plane.

The biggest issue is Kane’s underwhelming performances in European competition. Granted, Tottenham’s own European outings have been lackluster. But as the team’s talisman, Kane has failed to carry them to success on that stage. Especially when compared to the likes of Gareth Bale, another Spurs gem, Kane simply doesn’t measure up.

In contrast, Dai Zhiwei’s reputation in the football world is much stronger, largely due to leading Guangzhou Evergrande to the AFC Champions League title and Villarreal to the Europa League crown last season. His exceptional form continues this season in the Champions League, notably steering Villarreal to a stunning victory over the formidable Real Madrid in the European Super Cup, instantly establishing him as one of the world’s premier forwards.

The first half between Villarreal and Tottenham ended in a stalemate, with the second half remaining tightly contested.

In the 66th minute, coach Escriva brought on Soldado, recently recovered from injury, replacing the goal-scorer Pato.

Watching Pato and Bakambu embrace on the sidelines, Dai Zhiwei recalled a frustrating piece of news. From Jin Chang and Mendes, he had learned that several Chinese Super League clubs had begun negotiations with Villarreal over Soldado, Pato, and Bakambu. It was likely that these three forwards would be transferred to the CSL during the winter transfer window in early 2017.

Compared to their salaries at Villarreal, their wages would at least double or triple upon joining Chinese clubs.

Dai Zhiwei could no longer remember exactly when Bakambu and Pato had first moved to the CSL in a previous era, but he was certain they had played there before and performed admirably. Soldado, too, had once been rumored to join Tianjin Teda.

He wondered if his current stint at Villarreal might trigger some butterfly effect.

If Soldado, Bakambu, and Pato did transfer to the CSL in the 2017 winter window, Villarreal would undoubtedly feel a significant impact.

“Ah, such is the sorrow of small clubs; those without money cannot stand tall,” Dai Zhiwei sighed, shaking his head. Yet he bore no grudge against any party—after all, he himself was contemplating a move to a top club next season.

For most footballers, the pursuit is either fame or fortune. The idea of a player spending a lifetime at one club had gradually become an unreachable ideal.

In this match, a win was crucial for Villarreal. Although they still had a chance to qualify or top the group without it, the uncertainties were too great. Escriva hoped to seize the opportunity to secure passage from the group stage in this game.

News then arrived that Bayer Leverkusen had equalized away against CSKA Moscow.

With the current scoreline, if both matches in this group ended in draws, Villarreal would maintain their position at the top of the group. A draw or better in the next game would guarantee them progression as group leaders.

Upon hearing of Leverkusen’s equalizer, Villarreal’s fans in the stands began singing their anthem at the Estadio de la Cerámica, boosting morale.

Just substituted into the game, Soldado received the ball near the center circle. His physicality surpassed Pato’s by a clear margin, and having played in the Premier League, he was more accustomed to Tottenham’s defense. Bracing his sturdy right arm to absorb a challenge from Wanyama, he deftly controlled the ball with his left foot, pivoted one and a half turns, and broke through on the left flank. With a powerful push off the ground from his right foot, he surged forward like a bullet.

Wanyama, preparing to grapple with Soldado, was left standing still as Soldado slipped past.

Once Soldado shook off Wanyama’s close marking, if he took off with the ball, Wanyama could only watch helplessly.

Dai Zhiwei’s dribbling resembled a gust of wind—graceful and flowing—while Soldado’s was fierce and forceful.

Wanyama’s being bypassed caught Tottenham off guard. Suddenly, Soldado’s effortless breakthrough sent Tottenham’s defense into high alert.

Winks silently counted Soldado’s pace, striving to match his rhythm, ready to strike with a thunderous tackle. Even if he couldn’t dispossess him, delaying Soldado’s advance would buy time for teammates to close in.

Behind Soldado, Wanyama was sprinting back hard. If Winks could merely hold him off for a moment, it would be a victory.

Tottenham’s defensive recovery was swift, but Villarreal’s sprinting was even faster.

Both wings were pushing forward rapidly to provide support. Dai Zhiwei alone on the right side of the penalty area had already unsettled two of Tottenham’s center-backs. Meanwhile, Dos Santos pulled defenders toward the left, exploiting the space. Tottenham’s right-back Trippier, having just pushed forward to assist, couldn’t retreat in time, creating a sizable gap.

Suddenly, Tottenham’s half was outnumbered three to five.

Soldado, Dos Santos, and Dai Zhiwei versus Winks, Dier, Weimer, Rose, and goalkeeper Lloris.

Soldado still carried the ball but began drifting toward the right where Dai Zhiwei was positioned, subtly confronting Winks.

Due to Dos Santos drawing attention to the flank, Weimer was forced to monitor his runs, allowing Dai Zhiwei on the right side of the box to gain the upper hand.

Charged with marking Dai Zhiwei was Eric Dier. Though tall and physically imposing, with speed and agility advantages over many, defending the much shorter Dai Zhiwei off the ball was proving a nightmare—like a cumbersome bear facing a leopard.

As Dai Zhiwei pulled and probed, a massive gap opened in Tottenham’s defense.

Seeing the opening, Soldado quickened his pace, feigning a break to the right.

Winks reacted instantly, lunging to intercept with explosive speed—a testament to his refined footwork and timing. The distance between them shrank rapidly.

Soldado, recently subbed on, hadn’t expected such a quick response and abruptly halted his advance. His sudden braking caught Winks off guard, disrupting his timing.

Soldado’s right foot stopped the ball forcefully, but his momentum caused him to skid awkwardly forward.

Winks fared no better, tumbling right in front of Soldado under the force of his own charge.

Yet, in a remarkable move, as Soldado slid, he used his left foot to nutmeg the ball past the trailing Dier and pass it to Dai Zhiwei sprinting into the center.

“Nice!” came the shout.

Dai Zhiwei executed a sharp stop-and-go, shedding the clingy Dier like a bad smell. He was about to receive the ball when Rose, Tottenham’s left-back, closed in with arms wide, fully blocking his path.

“Trying to mark me? No way!” Dai Zhiwei exclaimed theatrically—in perfect English for Rose’s benefit—and burst past on Rose’s left.

Rose didn’t dare foul but nudged toward Dai Zhiwei, preparing to tackle the ball.

“Where’s the ball?!” Rose was stunned—there was no ball near Dai Zhiwei’s feet.

In astonishment, Rose glanced back toward where Dai Zhiwei was supposed to have received the pass, spotting the ball stationary and solitary.

Meanwhile, the broadcast captured a bizarre scene: after receiving Soldado’s pass, Dai Zhiwei charged to Rose’s left, only to flick the ball behind him at the last moment. Then, the two sprinted side by side for several meters, while the ball rolled quietly away, growing ever more distant.

The camera followed the ball-less Dai Zhiwei for several seconds—he had even fooled the broadcast camera!

“Heh, how’s my off-the-ball run?” Dai Zhiwei grinned inwardly. This trick was a sudden inspiration, banking on his repeated successful dribbles earlier to haunt Rose’s mind.

Of course, if Rose hadn’t fallen for it, Dai Zhiwei would have been embarrassed.

“What have I done?” Rose’s face darkened instantly. He knew this moment would be replayed endlessly, marking him as a recent laughingstock.

Resigned, Rose stopped chasing Dai Zhiwei and dashed for the ball.

But Dai Zhiwei paid him no mind and charged straight into the penalty area.

He had already seen Soldado near the ball.

From Soldado’s dribble to Dai Zhiwei’s pass, to the feint leaving the ball behind, and Soldado regaining possession—it all happened in a flash, before Dos Santos even fully entered the danger zone.

Soldado sprang up quickly after his slide, reached the unattended ball, and spotted Dai Zhiwei shaking off Rose and charging into the box. With a deft arch of his foot, he slid the ball into Dai’s run.

“Beautiful!”

A thrill surged through Dai Zhiwei. Only Tottenham’s goalkeeper Lloris stood between him and goal.

What other choice was there?

As Villarreal’s top shooter this season, Dai Zhiwei struck the ball with the outside of his foot, curling it toward the far post.

*Bang!* The ball slammed into the inside of the post, ricocheted, and nestled into the net. The score instantly shifted to 2-1.

After his customary celebratory gesture, Dai Zhiwei bent back his right middle finger.

This was the Northern Chinese hand signal for “8”!

His Champions League goal tally this season had reached eight, not counting the three he scored in the qualifiers against Monaco.

Embracing the charging Soldado, Dai Zhiwei shouted, “Roberto, that was a perfect pass! Now they’ll definitely regret it!”

Soldado had joined Tottenham in the summer of 2013 for 30 million euros but struggled to adapt in the Premier League. In 76 appearances for White Hart Lane, he managed only 16 goals, many from penalties. In league play, he scored just seven goals in 52 games. With Harry Kane’s breakout in 2014-15, Soldado was relegated to a substitute and eventually sold to Villarreal.

“Robert, get ready for revenge. I’ve got your back all the way!” Dai Zhiwei promised.

“Thanks!” Soldado gladly accepted. “After the win, dinner’s on me!”

Meanwhile, Tottenham was in despair. A loss here would not only end their Champions League campaign prematurely but also dim prospects for the Europa League.

Coach Pochettino refused to surrender, using all three substitutions in five minutes—bringing on Eriksen, Mousa Sissoko, and Janssen—to chase an equalizer.

Yet, Villarreal was in peak form, playing almost recklessly with confidence that even scared themselves.

In the 82nd minute, Spurs suffered another blow. Dier fouled former teammate Soldado in defense, earning a yellow card. Coupled with a prior booking for fouling Dai Zhiwei, two yellows meant a red. Tottenham faced the last ten minutes a man down.

Seven minutes later, Villarreal extended their lead. Triggered by a counterattack from Trigueros, Dai Zhiwei burst down the flank into the box and delivered a reverse pass to the penalty spot. Soldado slotted the ball past Lloris, making it 3-1 and effectively sealing the victory.

“Roberto, tonight it’s the Chikete Bar!” Dai Zhiwei called to Soldado, who refrained from celebrating the goal.

The Chikete Bar was the priciest spot in Villarreal city, frequented by country singers and with an average spend over a hundred dollars—mere pocket change for stars like Soldado.

“No problem!” the goal-scorer replied cheerfully.

Ultimately, Villarreal triumphed 3-1 over the visiting Tottenham, and with Leverkusen’s draw against CSKA Moscow, they secured top spot in Group E and qualification to the round of 16 with a game to spare.

Best wishes for all your hopes to come true in 2019!

(End of chapter)