Inside the visitors' locker room.
"My boys! You played magnificently!" Coach Carter's face was flushed with excitement as he high-fived each player.
Leading by two goals at halftime was the best half-time result for the Bucks Steelhorns since the start of the tournament.
Based on the Bucks Steelhorns' first-half performance, if they maintained their momentum, they genuinely had a shot at entering the national top eight!
It wasn't just Coach Carter who saw hope; everyone on the Bucks Steelhorns saw tangible hope!
When Gu Ran entered the locker room, Coach Carter eagerly approached him and gave him a big hug. "Gu! Your performance today was outstanding! Those two goals are definitely contenders for Goal of the Tournament! Also, I have great news! Your first goal has officially been confirmed as the fastest goal in this year's nationals!"
The locker room immediately erupted in cheers:
"Gu! You're the fastest! Hehehe!"
"Haha! Congrats, Gu!"
"You scored in just 17 seconds!"
"Gu! Keep it up! We hope you'll get even faster!"
The Bucks Steelhorns' main players winked and teased mischievously.
Damn…
These idiots…
Gu Ran felt amused yet speechless.
But in truth, the fact they could joke like this showed they were genuinely close.
Gu Ran cleared his throat, "Thanks for your wishes, everyone. I'll keep working hard and try to satisfy you all even faster."
"What?"
"Fuck…"
"Satisfy? Well... fine, we are indeed very satisfied..."
The Bucks Steelhorns' main players all covered their faces, unable to argue back.
Gu Ran continued, "Of course, it's all thanks to Coach Carter. Without him, I wouldn't even have the chance to score, let alone set the fastest goal record."
His words sounded overly flattering but weren't entirely untrue.
In the Bucks Steelhorns, Coach Carter was undoubtedly the locker room boss. Without the freedom and opportunities he provided, Gu Ran would indeed have no chance to score.
With his additional twelve years of life experience, Gu Ran deeply understood one truth: being skilled wasn't enough; you also needed opportunities.
Coach Carter's vision and courage clearly qualified him as a true talent spotter.
So even though Coach Carter often used PUA tactics, Gu Ran sincerely respected and liked the old man—and he'd picked up a lot of those PUA skills himself.
"Hahaha!" Coach Carter's face bloomed with joy, "Listen up! All of you! This is what a great player sounds like! The more talented, the harder he works, and the humbler he stays! Great, Gu! Keep it up! In the second half, keep playing your best!"
"Yes, Coach!"
Coach Carter hugged Gu Ran again, slightly regretful, "It's a shame Maria resigned to become a doctor; otherwise, she could give you some physical therapy during halftime to help you recover. By the way, Gu, didn't you bring a personal assistant? Didn't you train her in therapeutic massage or something?"
Holy shit…
In your dreams!
That's a Hollywood princess! I treat her like a treasure; how could I possibly let her do something as strenuous as therapeutic massage? If anything, I should be the one giving her massages!
Gu Ran quickly replied, "Coach, she handles my daily life, not therapy."
Coach Carter said with disappointment, "What a waste… How about I personally give you therapy then?"
Fuck!
Don't even joke about that!
Gu Ran forcibly suppressed his horror, "No no, coach, my stamina is good. Really, I can handle the second half. Just let me rest for a few minutes."
"Really?" Coach Carter said worriedly, "But according to data, you ran 6.5 kilometers in the first half, with 1.7 kilometers being sprints. You've had seven confrontations as well; your stamina drain must be enormous."
Gu Ran firmly said, "Don't worry, coach! I got this!"
He still had four talent points left!
He'd add one immediately at the start of the second half, then save the others for later.
He definitely had enough stamina!
Seeing Gu Ran's confidence, Coach Carter nodded, "Alright, sit down and rest—everyone else, make room for Gu!"
"Yes!"
Bread and the others immediately cleared the best seat for Gu Ran.
Although Gu Ran tried to politely refuse, they forcibly pressed him down.
His status in the team was already evident.
Gu Ran had participated in four games—technically three and a half—and scored four goals!
This record already surpassed Watergate, Sissy, and Glider, making Gu Ran the top scorer of the team!
Moreover, he had entered the top 10 scorers nationwide!
A top scorer wasn't exclusive to forwards or strikers—anyone with the most goals became the best scorer, even defenders.
When the players sat down, Coach Carter analyzed defensive positioning issues from the first half.
The players nodded attentively.
"Although we're leading by two goals, Triangle River will surely counterattack fiercely in the second half. We must forget the first-half score—treat it as 0:0. Don't be complacent; we haven't secured our top-eight spot yet!"
"Also, the two goals we scored weren't due to overall strength but because Gu Ran caught them off-guard."
"In the second half, Gu Ran will definitely be their primary target, so our focus remains defense, especially against their ace captain Butler."
"If we lock down their 4-3-3 B2B midfielder, their offense and defense will disconnect, reducing their threat significantly."
"Football is an art of both offense and defense. Our advantage is stamina. We'll exhaust them through defense and look for counterattack opportunities."
"Gu, switch positions with Sime in the second half; Sime goes to left-back, Gu takes left midfield."
"Yes!" Gu Ran and Sime responded simultaneously.
Sime no longer had complaints; instead, he felt a bit honored.
Coach Carter continued, "Gu, slightly drift toward the middle so that when Butler has the ball, you, Bread, and Watergate can form a quick triangular defense to trap him."
"Yes, Coach!"
Coach Carter scanned the team solemnly, "In the second half, if Gu is tightly marked, pass to Watergate for quick counters. If Gu isn't locked down, keep him as the focal point. Understand?"
"Yes!"
The Bucks Steelhorns roared excitedly.
The 15-minute break ended, and both teams returned to the field.
Triangle River's right-winger Rosser immediately confronted Gu Ran arrogantly, "Hey, Chinese kid! You got lucky in the first half, but don't get cocky—I'm personally marking you this half!"
Gu Ran smiled coldly, "Stay close, son."
Rosser was instantly enraged, fists clenched, "Fuck! Chinese kid! You're dead!"
His teammates quickly restrained him, preventing a red card.
The second half began with Gu Ran receiving intense physical targeting from Rosser and Butler. However, thanks to his enhanced 'Ironman +2' skill, these dirty tactics only scratched the surface.
In the 71st minute, Gu Ran and Rosser contested a header. Seeing an opportunity, Rosser attempted a dirty headbutt toward Gu Ran's jaw, but Gu Ran ruthlessly countered, knowing he had 'Ironman +2.'
"Such a good chance to teach you a lesson—I wouldn't be your Chinese daddy if I didn't!"
Bang—
Their heads collided fiercely, the referee blew the whistle, and the crowd erupted.
Rosser lay stunned, realizing he'd picked the wrong opponent.
(End of Chapter.)