Dream training system.
Nearly half of Yang Yang's time inside the system was spent in focused one-on-one drills — facing simulations calibrated to the defensive level of the Eredivisie's top players.
As his strength and technique steadily improved, and as his body adapted to the intensity, Zax continuously raised the bar. Every session became more demanding than the last.
That was the only way to keep him pushing forward.
Yang Yang knew he needed it.
He understood himself well enough to know he wasn't some untouchable prodigy immune to laziness or comfort. He didn't trust himself to stay sharp if things became too easy. Once a person got used to convenience or lowered expectations, it became dangerously hard to climb back out.
He wouldn't take that risk.
Because some things — once tried — were hard to stop.
It was like being lazy. Like coasting.
As the saying went: It's easy to go from frugal to indulgent, but hard to go back the other way.
And football was no exception.
Once a player tasted comfort — fame, praise, reduced workload — the hunger could dull. The edge could fade. And very few ever recovered it once it was gone.
History was full of names. Brilliant talents who had once been hailed as the next great thing… and then disappeared. Not because they lacked skill, but because they couldn't resist temptation. They relaxed. They coasted. They fell.
To even reach the level of a professional footballer in Europe — especially in a top league — required uncommon determination. Talent alone wasn't enough. You had to grind. You had to endure.
But even among those who made it, many couldn't sustain it.
Yang Yang refused to be one of them.
He'd seen what complacency did. He didn't just fear it — he respected how dangerous it could be. The moment you stopped working was the moment the decline began, and it always happened faster than people expected.
So even after a season in which he had exploded into the spotlight — even after leading Ajax, winning individual accolades, and lifting the World Youth Championship with China — he refused to slow down.
At just 18 years old, he had already achieved what most of his peers around the world could only dream of.
But for Yang Yang, that wasn't an excuse to rest.
It was a reason to work even harder.
...
It was already dawn.
The Dream training system finally powered down, and Zax ended the session.
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Zax said calmly, his voice as neutral as ever. "Ups and downs are part of the game."
"Not scoring lately isn't entirely your fault. The team's current tactical setup doesn't provide you with enough consistent support."
And he wasn't wrong.
If Ajax could offer more structured service in the final third — more creative link-up and width — Yang Yang's finishing ability would already have yielded more goals by now. The fact that he had only just opened his account in the Dutch Super Cup wasn't a true reflection of his form. Even in that match, he hadn't been at his best — but when the team created a real chance, he took it.
"I know," Yang Yang replied, wiping the sweat from his face. "But it's still true that I'm not in ideal condition."
He had high expectations for himself — always had. And those expectations only grew higher with each step forward.
Two years ago, when he was still in Almere, his goals had been modest: just earn a spot in the youth team. Then, it became breaking into the first team. From there, the dream shifted to starting for Ajax's second team… then the first team.
And once he was there? He aimed for a regular starting place. Then, to become the team's focal point. To compete for the Eredivisie Golden Boot, to chase Ronaldo's youth records, to surpass Kuyt.
Each goal surpassed only led to another, higher one.
Now, he wanted more.
He wanted to be the best player in the world.
It wasn't a secret. He never hid his ambition. He didn't see a reason to — because for him, ambition was a necessity. Life, he believed, was like rowing upstream. If you stopped moving forward, you were already drifting backward.
Progress, challenge, improvement — that was the rhythm he lived by. And with every new level reached, the weight only grew heavier: more pressure, more expectation, more responsibility.
So of course, the standards he set for himself had to rise with it.
There was a saying from back home:
"If you're young, push yourself to the limit. Force yourself to grow."
And this season, he was about to face his toughest test yet.
For the first time, Yang Yang would lead Ajax as a core player in the UEFA Champions League.
If he wanted to join a top European club in the future — a true contender — this was the season he had to prove it. Not just as a scorer. Not just as a dribbler. But as a leader. As the player a team could revolve around.
He didn't want to be shaped by others' choices. He wanted to control his own future — to hold the initiative in his own hands.
This year would be decisive.
For his career.
For everything.
...
...
After finishing an intense session in the Dream training system, Yang Yang finally exited the simulation.
He got up, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and changed into fresh clothes.
Amid his packed routine, he still made time to send a few messages to Su Ye, who was thousands of kilometers away in Beijing.
For two people in love, separated by continents, even a brief daily exchange — a greeting, a photo, a line of support — could mean everything.
For Yang Yang, it was a reminder.
That someone was waiting for him, cheering him on, believing in him — far away in his homeland.
And that thought alone gave him strength to push through the day.
After his morning routine and a quick breakfast, he headed to De Toekomst with Vermaelen.
Competition for spots in the first team this season had grown fiercer than ever. Vermaelen, in particular, had struggled to impress during pre-season. His place in the starting eleven had been overtaken by Ron Vlaar, and the Belgian defender was visibly frustrated.
Trying to channel that energy productively, he'd started following Yang Yang into the gym, hoping to build strength and edge his way back into contention.
Yang Yang, meanwhile, continued to split his focus between team duties and personal improvement. He'd even begun learning how to drive — though for now, he still relied mostly on rides from teammates.
But physical training? That, he took into his own hands.
With Winston Bogarde not yet on site, Yang Yang got started himself.
He was bench pressing 75 kilograms now — nearly equal to his own body weight. He worked through his usual strength circuit: bench press, deadlifts, squats, upper body sets — always in balance, always methodical.
Afterward, he spent time on the stationary bike for cardio conditioning. Then came muscle recovery: a professional masseur helped work through the fatigue while Yang Yang drank a particularly unpleasant-tasting nutritional shake, one that Bogarde insisted was essential for muscle repair.
Watching him work this hard, Vermaelen and Maicon, who were in the gym with him that morning, couldn't help but be impressed.
When Yang Yang had first committed to gym training months ago, there had been doubts.
Everyone thought he'd quit.
Too demanding, they said. Not his thing.
Even players like De Jong and Heitinga — strong, physical types — only trained when necessary. Most avoided extra gym work whenever they could.
At the time, Yang Yang had been the lightest and most fragile-looking player in the entire squad.
Could he really keep up?
Yet here he was, half a year later — not only keeping up, but thriving.
Now, in terms of physical duels, he could hold his own against anyone.
Even against stronger players like Heitinga or De Jong, muscling past him was no longer easy.
And beyond that, he had something even rarer.
His speed had increased. His agility had sharpened. His footwork, his balance, his recovery time — all more refined.
Under Winston Bogarde's guidance, he was transforming.
Not into a tank.
But into something more dangerous — a lean, fast, and powerful predator.
After finishing his gym session, Yang Yang didn't head to the showers like most players would have. Instead, he jogged over to the stairwell of the training building — a spot he'd quietly adopted as part of his personal routine — and began running stair intervals.
Up and down, one flight after another.
There was no stopwatch, no shouting — just steady repetition.
By the time he stopped, his breath was ragged and sweat was pouring down his neck. That's when he noticed someone standing at the landing.
Yaya Touré was waiting for him.
"Thank you," the Ivorian said, voice low and sincere, as Yang Yang came back down.
Yang Yang already knew what he was referring to.
That morning, every major Dutch newspaper had splashed the same story across their football pages: Ajax's 2–1 comeback win over PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Super Cup.
Two things dominated the headlines.
First, Yang Yang had finally scored.
After claiming the Golden Boot last season and dazzling at the World Youth Championship in the summer, expectations had been sky-high. But in the preseason and Amsterdam Invitational, he hadn't found the net once.
Some journalists began whispering the dreaded phrase: "rookie wall."
It was the idea that after a breakout season, a young player would inevitably hit a dip — weighed down by pressure, figured out by opponents, or mentally drained. Some recovered. Others didn't.
And although this was already Yang Yang's third season at Ajax, it was only his second year as a regular starter. The theory fit the narrative. But his goal in the Super Cup had changed that tone. Now, fans and media were watching again — with hope.
The second talking point was Yaya Touré.
His long-range strike had caught the eye, yes. But more than that, analysts noticed how his presence changed Ajax's midfield — bringing energy, unpredictability, and drive. The coaching staff had taken notice too.
"I just spoke with Coach Krol," Yaya said. "He told me they're planning to start me against Den Haag. He also told me... it was you who pushed for it."
Yang Yang was, by now, the undisputed star of Ajax. His influence in the dressing room and with the staff had grown accordingly. A recommendation from him carried weight — especially when it came to selecting the starting XI.
"Don't thank me," Yang Yang replied with a small smile. "Really."
"I recommended you because you deserve it. You've got the qualities to help the team. And when you play like you did in the second half against PSV, you earn it."
Touré nodded, though his eyes still reflected appreciation.
"But listen," Yang Yang added, his tone sharpening slightly, "we're a team. All of us have one goal — to win. That's why I support you now."
"But if one day I feel your performances are slipping, I won't cover for you — I'll be honest with the staff. We're here to win, and that comes before any friendship.Understand?"
Touré didn't flinch. He nodded again — this time, more firmly.
The message was clear: Yang Yang wasn't playing politics. He was playing for the team.
"Don't worry," Yaya said, a flicker of fire in his voice. "I won't give you that chance."
Yang Yang smiled. "Good. I'm looking forward to your performance."
He extended his right hand, still damp with sweat.
Yaya hesitated for a second — not at the gesture, but at what it symbolized. He shook it with both pride and respect, then turned toward the pitch.
He still had work to do.
For him, the path had never been smooth. Rejected by Arsenal, shuffled from Beveren to Metalurh Donetsk, and now, finally, Ajax — every move had been a grind upward.
He hadn't come here to settle. He'd come to rise.
Ajax felt different this season. There was drive, ambition, a sharper edge than before. And meeting Yang Yang only confirmed it.
There was something building here — something real.
And he was determined to be part of it.
...
...
August 13, 2005 – Evening, Amsterdam Arena.
The first matchday of the new Eredivisie season had arrived. At home, Ajax were set to face ADO Den Haag.
On paper, the difference in strength between the two teams was obvious. Ajax were one of the league's powerhouses, while Den Haag were expected to struggle. A home win seemed likely — but there was still a lingering sense of unease in the air.
The concerns weren't baseless.
Ajax's recent form hadn't been particularly convincing. Their performances lacked rhythm and consistency, and although they had come from behind to win the Dutch Super Cup, few believed they had fully hit their stride.
The first round of a new season is always unpredictable. Neither side is fully settled. Match fitness varies. Chemistry is still developing. And surprise results aren't unusual.
Just look at PSV Eindhoven.
After losing the Super Cup, Hiddink's side stumbled again — drawn 1–1 by newly promoted Heracles Almelo. It was a clear signal that early-season form could be shaky for even the most experienced squads.
Would Ajax fall into the same trap?
Could Yang Yang, last season's breakout star, carry his momentum into the new campaign?
Would his goal in the Super Cup be the start of another prolific season?
The answers would begin to take shape tonight — on the pitch at the Amsterdam Arena, under the floodlights, as the curtain lifted on a new chapter.
...
Ronald Koeman lined up Ajax in a 4-3-3 formation for the opening match of the season.
Maarten Stekelenburg started in goal.
In defense, it was a four-man backline: Felipe Luís at left-back, Ron Vlaar and Johnny Heitinga as the centre-back pairing, and Maicon at right-back.
Maxwell had picked up a slight knock during the Super Cup match against PSV, so he was left out of the squad entirely. In his place, fellow Brazilian Felipe Luís was given the nod to start on the left.
In midfield, Koeman deployed Yaya Touré, Nigel de Jong, and Wesley Sneijder — a trio combining physicality, control, and creativity.
Up front, the attack was led by Steven Pienaar, Angelos Charisteas, and Yang Yang.
This was, without question, Ajax's strongest available lineup.
Judging by the pre-match tactical briefing and the personnel selected, it was clear: Koeman was aiming for a convincing home win to open the season and build early momentum.
...
Den Haag's head coach, Frans Adelaar, was no newcomer to Dutch football. He understood just how crucial the opening round of the league could be — not only for points, but for setting the tone of the season.
He also knew Ajax's intentions clearly. Koeman wanted a dominant home win.
Anticipating Ajax's aggression, Adelaar opted for a five-man defensive line, a conservative but calculated move. His side would sit deep and absorb pressure, waiting for moments to strike on the counter.
From the opening whistle, Ajax came out pressing hard.
Koeman's plan was clear: use Angelos Charisteas as the central target man — an aerial presence and pivot — while Pienaar and Yang Yang attacked from the flanks. Behind them, Yaya Touré, Nigel de Jong, and Wesley Sneijder pushed high up in midfield to apply constant pressure and overload Den Haag's defensive third.
Ajax were intent on forcing errors high up the pitch, winning second balls, and creating early scoring chances.
But Den Haag were well-prepared.
Their deep defensive structure remained compact and organized. Fullbacks tucked in, midfielders dropped back to close passing lanes, and their centre-backs stayed disciplined. They were clearly drilled for this.
Still, there were signs of promise — especially from Yang Yang.
Compared to his performance in the Super Cup, he looked sharper — more lively, more explosive off the ball. His movement was proactive, his first touch clean.
In the eighth minute, he burst down the right flank and managed to create just enough space to whip in a driven cross.
But Den Haag's central defenders were alert. One of them stepped in and cleared the ball decisively inside the box.
Ajax were awarded a throw-in deep on the right side, near the edge of the penalty area.
The pressure was starting to mount.
...
...
"Let me take it!"
Maicon came sprinting up from behind, waving his hand and signaling for the throw-in.
Yang Yang, who had originally picked up the ball, stepped aside without protest. Seeing that Den Haag had already formed a defensive block, he handed the ball over and jogged back onto the pitch.
The opposition wasn't taking any chances.
Den Haag's defenders swarmed the area near the right side of the penalty box, closing down angles and denying space. Five defenders guarded that zone tightly, outnumbering Ajax's three attackers — including Maicon, who was preparing to throw.
Inside the box, Yang Yang was being marked tightly, but he didn't fight back physically. Instead, he moved constantly — shifting direction, making quick feints — disrupting the defender's focus. At the same time, he was signaling toward Maicon, fingers twitching, head subtly nodding.
The two had spent a full season working together on the right flank. Their chemistry was well established.
Then came the throw.
Yang Yang suddenly stopped, feinted left, then spun to the right and darted in front of his marker.
Right on cue, Maicon's throw dropped in at his feet.
Tonight, Yang Yang's direct opponent was Tomasz Rząsa, a seasoned 32-year-old Polish full-back. Though once a regular at Feyenoord, he had moved to Den Haag in search of playing time after falling out of favor at Heerenveen.
From the start, Rząsa had been wary — keeping a tight leash on Yang Yang, not giving him an inch of space.
But Yang Yang was quicker. More elusive. Like trying to hold water in your hands.
Still, Rząsa wasn't inexperienced. He quickly stepped in from behind, pressing his body into Yang Yang's back to stop him from turning.
Don't let him turn. That's the rule. If he turns, it's over.
But Yang Yang was already reading him. With calm precision, he shielded the ball, used his body to create space, and gently nudged the ball back to Maicon.
Then, without missing a beat, he turned and ran — peeling away toward the touchline.
Rząsa hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to follow or drop. In that moment of indecision, he chose to chase Maicon instead, moving to cut off the Brazilian's space. Charisteas was in the box, and if Maicon had time to cross, it could be dangerous.
But now Yang Yang was gone, darting around Rząsa and bursting toward the byline.
Maicon didn't wait. He curled a pass around the fullback, threading it into Yang Yang's path.
The ball met the run perfectly.
Yang Yang reached the endline, cut in with control, and accelerated toward the penalty area. A Den Haag centre-back moved to intercept, but Yang Yang held him off with ease — his improved strength on full display.
The defender tried to shoulder him off balance, but Yang Yang kept his footing. Then, in one smooth movement, he accelerated again and slipped past him.
Another defender charged in from the middle.
Yang Yang didn't panic.
Even as he drove the ball along the byline, he was scanning the field. His God Vision kicked in — giving him a top-down view, reading the defense, tracking movements like pieces on a board.
The Den Haag goalkeeper, Dorus de Vries, was crouched low at the near post — arms down, covering the bottom corners.
He was only 1.80 meters tall — not short, but not imposing for a goalkeeper. His positioning was solid, but his hands were low, body bent.
Yang Yang saw the gap.
He didn't hesitate. He didn't cut the ball back. He didn't play it safe.
From the tightest of angles, he went for goal.
The strike came suddenly — almost recklessly — an outrageous decision from that position.
Even the crowd froze for a second, unsure what they were seeing.
The ball soared upward and curved just over De Vries's head, clipping the inside of the far side netting with brutal precision.
GOAL!
Yang Yang scores! In the eighth minute, Ajax take the lead!
An unbelievable finish — from near the byline, with almost zero angle!
This could be one of the best goals of the Eredivisie's opening weekend!
The crowd exploded.
Yang Yang turned, arms wide, and sprinted toward the sideline. He leapt clean over the advertising boards and slid on his knees toward the fans, his face lit with fierce joy.
Over 50,000 voices roared his name — a release of pent-up emotion.
They had waited. Through preseason.
Through the Amsterdam Invitational.
Through all the questions.
Would he score again? Would he pick up where he left off?
They had their answer.
No one expected this. Not in the opening minutes. Not like this.
"Den Haag's defense had been solid so far," the commentator noted,
"but Ajax came out aggressive — pressing high and forcing chances."
"And Yang Yang? That goal shows what separates him."
"In the space of seconds, he worked the throw-in, created the angle, resisted the defender, read the keeper — and buried it."
"This isn't just recovery of form. This is a message."
...
As the roar of the crowd echoed around the Amsterdam Arena, Ajax players rushed to surround Yang Yang, celebrating the goal together.
It wasn't just any goal — it was the team's first of the new Eredivisie season, and that made it special.
Wesley Sneijder slung an arm around Yang Yang's shoulders and leaned in close, feigning disappointment.
"I had my hand up, you know," he muttered, pretending to sulk. "Wide open. Why didn't you pass it to me?"
Yang Yang couldn't help but laugh.
Before kickoff, there had been a bit of fun in the dressing room — a betting pool to see who would score the first goal of the season. Sneijder had been one of the favorites.
"I saw your run," Yang Yang replied, grinning. "I was going to pass, but I felt... more confident."
Sneijder raised an eyebrow. "Confident? From a zero angle?"
Yang Yang just smiled, as if to say: you saw the result.
Sneijder groaned in mock agony. "Unbelievable…"
Yang Yang chuckled and turned to Johnny Heitinga, who had been watching the exchange with a frown.
"Thanks for the wager, John. Don't forget the bet."
Heitinga had confidently said Yang Yang wouldn't score first. Yang had disagreed. The two had shaken on it before the match.
The centre-back wrinkled his nose and grumbled in the direction of the Den Haag defenders. "Bunch of amateurs. Four or five of them couldn't stop you. What are they even eating?"
Then, as if remembering the other half of the bet, he muttered, "I don't have any money right now. I'll owe you until payday."
Both Yang Yang and Sneijder burst out laughing.
It was only the thirteenth — and Heitinga was already broke?
Typical.
He'd always been the type to burn through his wages fast — no savings, no planning. He had the same habit as Ibrahimović used to: living like a king in the first week, and turning frugal by the end of the month.
No one even knew where his salary went.
Still, the mood was bright. Ajax had struck early, and that gave them a crucial psychological advantage.
After finishing the celebrations and exchanging high fives with the rest of the squad, Yang Yang called his teammates back to formation.
The game wasn't over. Far from it.
Ajax didn't just want three points tonight — they wanted a statement win.
A dominant scoreline. A display that would send a message.
Only then could Ronald Koeman stand firm in his new tactical choices — showing that his new system worked, and that this group of players could execute it at the highest level.