God of Green

After talking to Peng Zhijie on the phone, Jiang Xiaolin updated the latest news on Xinglang Blog, telling fans the good news that he was selected for the match list and the time of tomorrow's match.

Although domestic TV stations do not have the broadcasting rights of the Eredivisie, some powerful fans can watch the live broadcast of the game through other methods and channels, and then tell other domestic fans through Tieba, forums, and QQ groups.

Moreover, after Jiang Xiaolin posted the latest blog post, he also saw a netizen who claimed to be a Dutch student replying below, saying that he would go to the scene to watch the game and witness Jiang Xiaolin's possible Eredivisie debut.

This made Jiang Xiaolin even more excited about the game, and before going to bed, he prayed that he could come on the bench and play for a few minutes tomorrow.

As for the starting lineup, he knew that it was definitely impossible.

No matter how much Van Gaal was optimistic about him, it was impossible for a 16-year-old young man who had only practiced with the team for a few days and had almost no tacit understanding and cooperation with his teammates to start in the Eredivisie.

…

When Jiang Xiaolin was falling asleep, a fast domestic online media had already released the news that Jiang Xiaolin was selected for the 18-man squad for the 25th round of the Eredivisie, when Alkmaar played away against Groningen.

Many night owl fans were so excited that they could not control themselves. They forwarded the news everywhere in forums, post bars, and QQ groups to let more people know. Fans were shocked everywhere.

"Damn it, Jiang Xiaolin was selected for the 18-man squad for tomorrow's Eredivisie match."

"Is it fake? Didn't Jiang Xiaolin just transfer from the youth team to the first team a few days ago?"

"With such a short period of training together, Van Gaal dared to let Jiang Xiaolin be selected for the squad?"

"Do Jiang Xiaolin and his teammates have a tacit understanding of cooperation?"

"Maybe Jiang Xiaolin is really a genius, so Van Gaal can't help but ask Jiang Xiaolin to help him save the game?"

"No matter what the reason is, I think Jiang Xiaolin is awesome!"

"If Jiang Xiaolin plays tomorrow, it will be even more awesome!" . "

"Yes, he is only 16 years old and he is already playing in the Eredivisie. Just thinking about it is fascinating."

"If that happens, China may have a football superstar."

"Let's watch the live broadcast tomorrow."

"Where can I find the live broadcast of the Eredivisie?"

"Go over the firewall and find a foreign live broadcast website!"

"Brother, take me with you!"

...

There are also international students in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Chinese and overseas Chinese in Chinatown. After receiving the news, they organized themselves urgently to go to the game site to cheer for Jiang Xiaolin and witness Jiang Xiaolin's possible Eredivisie debut.

At 9 am on February 17, after having breakfast at the training base, the Alkmaar first-team players, coaching staff, team doctors, equipment managers, etc. who were selected for the 18-man roster of the game boarded the team bus and headed to Groningen, 200 kilometers northeast of Alkmaar.

The long journey of more than 200 kilometers made the players a little tired.

If the distance is farther, they will have to consider taking a plane.

After checking into a hotel near Groningen's home stadium, Euroborg Stadium, Van Gaal announced the 11-man starting lineup for the game in the hotel conference room.

Sure enough, Jiang Xiaolin was not among them, and the two starting strikers were Ali and Hamdaoyi.

Jiang Xiaolin did not have any emotions and accepted it calmly.

Because this was expected.

The goalkeeper is still the experienced old goalkeeper Didulica, although he has lost a total of 22 goals in the last six games, averaging more than 3 goals per game.

But he was still not abandoned by Van Gaal, and Sergio Romero had to continue to sit on the bench, waiting for a chance to come forward.

The substitute for the goalkeeper position is definitely more difficult than a striker like Jiang Xiaolin. It is difficult for ordinary coaches to have the determination to take the initiative to replace the main goalkeeper who is not injured.

In the case of Didulica not being injured, Romero has to continue to wait no matter how good his performance in training is.

After all, on the surface, the 30-year-old Didulica is more experienced than the 20-year-old Romero, and should be more reliable.

The special nature of this position means that even Van Gaal, who is known for his ability to promote young people, did not dare to easily move Didulica's starting position and pushed the 20-year-old Romero to the front.

After announcing the starting lineup, Van Gaal took captain Yarence to attend the pre-match press conference, while the players had lunch and rested in the hotel.

At the pre-match press conference, Van Gaal announced the 18-man roster and 11-man starting list for the afternoon game.

Jiang Xiaolin's appearance naturally caused an uproar.

Although Jiang Xiaolin had caused quite a stir in China before, he was still not well-known in the Netherlands.

Even in the journalist circle, apart from the journalists reporting on the Heqing League, not many people knew him.

After all, aA 16-year-old youth team player is not Dutch. Even if he slaughtered the Ajax youth team with six goals in a single game, he could not attract the attention of reporters who focus on top leagues and Champions League matches.

Some people have forgotten about it even if they have seen relevant reports.

But this time, Jiang Xiaolin appeared in Alkmaar's 18-man roster, which could not help but attract the attention of reporters.

After all, the 18-man match roster of an Eredivisie team is information that the Football Association and every media must have before the game.

This is what they have to publish on the radio, newspapers, websites or TV live broadcasts.

In addition, the commentators and guests of the TV live broadcast must have some knowledge of these players' information.

Otherwise, if a player comes on as a substitute during the live broadcast, the commentator cannot tell the name and origin of the player, which is embarrassing.

Therefore, Jiang Xiaolin, who is only 16 years old, has no professional game experience, and has been transferred to the first team for only a few days, appeared in the 18-man roster, which naturally attracted the climax of the reporters on the scene.

Everyone rushed to bombard Van Gaal with questions:

"Mr. Van Gaal, can Jiang's level meet the standard for playing in the Eredivisie?"

"He can enter the Eredivisie match list at the age of 16. Is Chinese football so developed?"

"When the team lost six games in a row, is it appropriate for you to add a 16-year-old boy to the away game list? Do you think he can withstand this pressure?"

"Are you deliberately making news to divert everyone's attention and avoid another disastrous defeat in this game, and then being criticized by the national media and fans?"

Of course, Van Gaal was prepared for this.

At the moment when the coaching staff jointly decided to put Jiang Xiaolin in the match list, Van Gaal had already anticipated the reporters' attacks at today's pre-match press conference.

After all, Jiang Xiaolin was too young and his qualifications were too shallow.

So, Van Gaal calmly affirmed Jiang Xiaolin's training attitude and strength, saying that Jiang Xiaolin was definitely enough to gain a foothold in the Eredivisie.

Yarians also spoke on behalf of the first-team players, saying that Jiang Xiaolin is a genius who can adequately supplement Alkmaar's forward attack, and it is natural for him to be selected for the game roster.