When Brian Clark casually used his heel to flick an incoming ball to a teammate behind him, assisting in a goal, the stands once again erupted with screams and cheers from the crowd.

"How did he do that!?"

"So cool!"

"Why does such a difficult move look so effortless and natural when he does it?"

……

Brian Clark really didn’t have many chances to shoot, but after pulling back his position a bit, he immediately became a playmaker, delivering passes for his teammates. If Xinglong team wanted to keep marking him tightly, then even more gaps would open up behind them. On Hongguang’s side, there were also two former China League Two players, who were quite capable as well—finding space and seizing opportunities wasn’t a problem for them.

However, for Xinglong team—especially their captain, George Allen—winning the match was no longer the main goal. He was now locked in a personal duel with Brian Clark.

As he stuck close behind Brian Clark on defense, he gritted his teeth and said, "Don’t even think about scoring in front of me again!"

Brian Clark looked back and said, "Are you sure?"

"If you’ve got the guts, try me!"

Brian Clark laughed, "You said it." With that, he ran toward the penalty area.

……

When a Hongguang teammate got the ball near the edge of the box, Brian Clark, who had been in the center, made a diagonal run, pulling toward the channel. Center-back George Allen immediately followed, giving him no space to receive the ball.

It looked like even if Brian Clark got the ball, he’d only be able to receive it with his back to the goal, and his only option would be to lay it off to a teammate making a forward run.

His teammate was indeed making a run into the box, heading for the center—where Brian Clark had just been. Now that he’d pulled George Allen out, a not-too-big, not-too-small gap had opened up there. This was an opportunity.

But Brian Clark didn’t pass the ball back.

He got into position, stopped, and shielded George Allen behind him. Then, as the ball rolled in, he slid his right toe down, letting the ball bounce naturally off the top of his foot. Next, supporting himself with his left foot, he lifted his right foot, flicked his ankle, and suddenly lobbed the ball over his own head!

The ball wasn’t lifted very high. As Brian Clark made the flick, he leaned back, so the ball barely skimmed past his face.

But this move demanded a lot from Brian Clark’s core strength and his supporting left leg—especially since he had to immediately spin around, putting all his weight on his left ankle…

Yet Brian Clark wanted to test the limits of his left foot at this very moment.

After flicking the ball over, he quickly twisted his waist and spun around, his movement as smooth as flowing water, without the slightest hitch—he’d already completed the turn.

"What a play!" someone in the stands shouted loudly again.

Brian Clark’s flick and turn were done in one fluid motion. By the time George Allen reacted, both man and ball were already behind him, and he’d been left in the dust once more…

Xinglong’s goalkeeper rushed out in a panic.

The reason Brian Clark hadn’t flicked the ball too high was to avoid wasting time in the air—now, as soon as he turned and caught up with the ball, he could shoot immediately.

But instead of blasting it, he simply lifted his foot and gently chipped the falling ball…

The ball sailed over the goalkeeper’s head. Even though the keeper jumped and spread his arms to block it, at such close range and with such a sudden shot, he simply couldn’t react in time. The ball sailed over him and dropped into the net behind…

From the moment Brian Clark started the flick, cheers erupted from the sidelines, and then the cheers rolled in like waves, each one louder than the last.

When the ball flew into the net, the roar above the stadium sounded as if thousands were watching, nothing like the few hundred people who were actually there.

All the players on the field, as well as those on the sidelines, were startled by the atmosphere. Some turned to look at the stands behind them, where all they could see were students—boys and girls alike—cheering and celebrating.

Fan Mr. Cooper was moved, shaking his head and saying, "He’s a natural-born star. What a pity, what a pity…"

For someone like this to be playing amateur matches on such a field, for his talent to be seen by so few, with no TV broadcast and no bigger stage… it truly was a shame.

Beside him, Director Harris stared blankly at Brian Clark on the field, certain he wasn’t mistaken—today’s Brian was different from the Brian he’d known before.

……

George Allen stood dumbfounded in front of the goal, staring at the ball inside. He never expected to be beaten in such a way.

This goal… he never would have imagined Brian Clark would play it like that.

George Allen’s career hadn’t been particularly successful, but he’d played for quite a few teams and seen all kinds of professional players. Yet he’d never seen anyone as talented as Brian Clark.

He’d heard Brian Clark’s name in the media, and knew that Brian Clark had been released by AC Milan and then disappeared. He never thought he’d meet Brian Clark in a place like this.

Before the match, after learning who Brian Clark was, he’d wanted to test himself against someone who’d played in AC Milan’s youth academy, to see just how good he really was.

Now he knew the answer.