***
Even though they had made ample preparations before the match, today was destined to be a tough battle. In addition to national team players like Yin Jiayi, most of the main players in the Zhejiang team are current members of the national team, and their strength should not be underestimated.
After losing the first two games in a row, even the commentator couldn't help but laugh and say, "It seems that our rookie players are still a little nervous, but it is a rare opportunity to play against Yin Jiayi."
The Zhejiang team's fans had already started celebrating in advance, whistling, unfurling banners, and standing up to cheer.
Although there are still three games left, it will not be easy for the Binhai Provincial Team to come back from two down to win three. Moreover, Yin Jiayi still has a singles match to play. If the Zhejiang team wins just one more match, they will advance to the national finals.
The stands erupted in cheers, all applauding the Zhejiang team.
Yan Xinyuan gathered his team members together, and they put their arms around each other's shoulders and heads together.
The old coach said, word by word, "Did you understand the first two games? Although you lost, even national teams and national players are not without weaknesses and mistakes. Their main players have all played, and their stamina is almost exhausted."
"From now on, we'll play the same way we usually train. Just treat this as a regular practice match. They are your sparring partners, assistant coaches, and the touchstones on your road to the championship!"
"Everyone outside says we're here for military training, and that it's impossible for us to beat the Zhejiang team, which has Yin Jiayi. But we're determined to break that prejudice and create a miracle for them!"
"Do you have that confidence?!"
Everyone hugged each other, their faces beaming with bright smiles, and shouted, "Yes!!!"
Yan Xinyuan took the lead in shouting.
"Binhai Team—"
"Go! Go! Go!"
After three sounds, they dispersed.
Jian Changnian took her racket and went onto the court.
She was scheduled to play in the third singles match today, against an active player from the national team. If she lost this match, she would be completely finished, so she was putting in her utmost effort.
Coach Liang stood beside him, holding a folder, watching the situation on the field with a furrowed brow.
"This match is too important; Shi'an should be allowed to play."
Yan Xinyuan looked at Jian Changnian's figure and said slowly.
"Yin Jiayi hasn't even played yet, so what's the rush? Besides, I believe in Chang Nian and every member of our Binhai team."
As Jian Changnian jumped up to smash the ball, he muttered incantations to himself.
"For Coach Yan's sake."
With a thud, the ball landed in midfield, and the opponent had no time to get back to defend.
Simplified pronunciation scores points.
She ran quickly to the backcourt with her racket and smashed the ball again.
"For the sake of peace."
"For Sister Yu Chu."
"For my grandmother."
With each sentence, she either delivered a powerful flat shot or a smash. I've never seen anyone launch such a relentless attack right from the start. Her opponent was clearly a bit confused and couldn't keep up with her pace, resulting in a series of points being scored on her.
The scoreboard shows 15:20.
This is the last ball.
Jian Changnian jumped high and raised her arms.
"For myself, I want to win the championship!"
As soon as the words were spoken, the ball landed on the ground.
It was a net shot with a tricky angle. The opponent misjudged her landing point, thinking it wouldn't go over the net. Who knew it would fly over so easily? By the time they tried to go to the net to intercept it, it was too late.
The white feather grazed her racket and landed.
Jian Changnian turned around with her racket in hand and gave a thumbs-up.
Yan Xinyuan also stood up and applauded for her.
The second game is about to begin.
The head coach of the Zhejiang team was criticizing her players.
"You can't even beat a newbie? I think you're getting worse as you get older. Anyway, you'd better win the second game, understand?!"
The opposing team member nodded solemnly.
Yan Xinyuan patted her on the shoulder: "You played well in the first game. Keep playing like that. Don't give her a chance to pull you back. Go back and hit her. She's not as fast as you. Take this game in one go."
Jian Changnian nodded: "I find that I'm not so nervous anymore. When I'm not nervous, my mind is much clearer."
Yan Xinyuan released the man: "You won't be nervous if you fight a lot more. Go on."
Jian Changnian nodded again, picked up his racket, and went onto the court.
While they were competing, Xie Shi'an was warming up in the rest area. After juggling the ball two hundred times, she immediately picked up the hand gripper and did five sets of twenty repetitions each. After that, she stretched with the resistance band. After finishing one set, she loosened up her muscles and put the equipment aside.
"I'm going to the restroom."
Qiao Yuchu glanced at her, then immediately focused her attention back on the competition field, where Jian Changnian and her opponent were locked in a fierce battle.
"Okay, go and come back quickly."
After she came out of the cubicle, she washed her hands next to the sink, and a sound came from the innermost cubicle.
"He's just a newcomer, he definitely can't beat us. Sister Chen Fang is from the national team."
"Exactly, what can they use to compete with us? Their best result is runner-up in the national competition, which is not even comparable to one of Jiayi's fingers. Maybe we'll win when we get back."
"I don't want the fight to end so quickly. I still want to have a go at Xie Shi'an."
...
The cubicle door opened, and several people came out. Yin Jiayi was also taken aback when she saw her, but walked to the sink with a normal expression, turned on the tap, and smiled at her.
"What a coincidence, we've run into each other again."
Xie Shi'an stepped back and used a tissue to dry his hands.
"It's quite a coincidence, but the result of the competition may disappoint you."
The group's expressions changed: "What do you mean? Are you saying that Sister Chen Fang will lose?"
Xie Shi'an smiled slightly and threw the tissue into the trash can.
"Isn't this exactly what the national team player meant?"
She had barely finished speaking when the loudspeaker came on.
"Binhai team's Jian Changnian defeated Zhejiang team's Chen Fang 2-0. The next match is about to begin. All units are requested to return to the preparation area immediately to prepare for the match."
Yin Jiayi's expression showed a slight hint of surprise.
She shook her hand and stood up.
"It's okay, one more game is one more game. I hope your teammates will perform well in the next game, so that we can meet in the last game, right?"
Xie Shi'an turned and left.
"A word of advice: underestimating the enemy will lead to trouble."
***
In the fourth doubles match, Yan Xinyuan glanced around. Jian Changnian had just played and couldn't play again. Xie Shian needed to conserve his energy for the final battle with Yin Jiayi, but he absolutely couldn't lose this match.
He gritted his teeth: "Yang Li and Zhang Chun..."
Qiao Yuchu took a step forward.
"Coach Yan, I'll go."
Yan Xinyuan paused, seemingly hesitant, but Qiao Yuchu said decisively, "Zhang Chun played in the first singles match, so the other side must be on guard. However, they know very little about me. I am a veteran player, and I am confident that I can win this crucial point for our team."
Upon hearing her say that, Yan Xinyuan agreed without hesitation.
"Okay, you and Yang Li come here, I'll tell you how to fight."
At the start of the fourth singles match, Qiao Yuchu and Yang Li showed great resilience. No matter how fast their opponents attacked, they could not break through their defense. Qiao Yuchu's forte is playing a defensive counter-attack.
Using her seasoned experience and keen observation skills, she repeatedly defused her opponent's attacks, then found their weaknesses to create opportunities for Yang Li's smashes.
After this period of intensive training, the individual abilities of each member of the Binhai Provincial Team have been greatly improved. Moreover, since the start of the training camp, there have been singles and doubles practice matches almost every day. They are not only opponents but also teammates, and over time, they have developed an extraordinary tacit understanding.
First, they defended steadily, then gradually took control of the game's rhythm, and finally launched a fluid and seamless attack.
This is the plan devised by Yan Xinyuan.
Qiao Yuchu and Yang Li successfully won the first round.
Yan Xinyuan held a full bottle of mineral water in his hand, not even bothering to drink it, as he was giving them tactical instructions.
"In the second game, just let it go and conserve your energy for the third game. Once the match goes to a deciding game, remember to finish it quickly and don't give them any time to react. Their impression of you is still based on the defensive counter-attack tactics from the first game. You should launch a fast and decisive attack to catch them off guard!"
The two nodded solemnly.
Yan Xinyuan patted them on the shoulder.
"Okay, go ahead."
***
"Okay, next we will see the second game of the fourth doubles match between Binhai team and Zhejiang team, with Qiao Yuchu and Yang Li facing Zhao Wenjing and Chen Siyu."
The television station connected the narrator's voice.
The male commentator continued his explanation.
"We all know that Zhao Wenjing is a member of the national team and won the bronze medal in women's singles at the All England Championships last year, while Chen Siyu is a seeded player of the national youth team and has performed very well in previous competitions. It is quite surprising that such a combination of two people was defeated by the opponent first."
...Another commentator added: "Although the best result of the Binhai Provincial Team in last year's National Competition was only the runner-up in women's doubles, everyone has seen their performance this year. They can be said to be a dark horse in the Eastern Division. Moreover, one of the runners-up players is standing on the court right now."
"You should know that the national competition has 34 teams from all over the country participating, including many national team players. Although it is only a silver medal, it is still very valuable."
As the two talked, the competition came to an end.
"Chen Siyu's final smash was beautiful!"
"Let's congratulate the Zhejiang team on winning the second game."