Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions
Chapter 153 - 130 Courage and Determination—This is David Beckham’s highest praise for Tang Long!

He has emerged as the most dazzling and popular young player in European football.

European fans who don’t follow Inter Milan or the Serie A might not realize how Tang Long, when playing as an attacking midfielder, uses his precise prediction ability to orchestrate his teammates and create opportunities for killing goals.

But because Tang Long has continually opened his goal-scoring accounts recently, he has scored two goals that have refreshed everyone’s perceptions, compelling all to look at him with new admiration!

One was during the match against Udinese when the goalkeeper cleared the ball, and Tang Long volleyed it from midfield, over 50 meters, directly into the goal.

The other was in the just-concluded match against Sampdoria, where Tang Long cleverly and reasonably exploited the rules of the match, taking a shot before the referee’s whistle and scored an unexpected free-kick goal against a goalkeeper whose position was off.

In China, Tang Long’s two goals consecutively won the top spot in "World Football"’s weekly top ten goals.

And abroad, especially in European football circles, these two goals have truly amazed seasoned European fans who have watched football for many years!

Although in the rules of football matches,

No matter how spectacular the goal is, it’s still just a goal.

You can’t score two points just because the goal is beautiful.

But football is ultimately a popular sports entertainment event.

Who wouldn’t wish to see those artists on the field creating brilliant and dazzling works?

Who wouldn’t want to create those masterpieces that let people feel the artistic charm of football?

And Tang Long’s performance in these two matches, from any perspective, is a flawless perfect work!

Not only dazzling, but also deeply allowing every football lover to feel the charm of football!

In the latest edition of "Football Weekly Express" on Sky Sports in London.

The host specially invited midfield maestro Beckham as a guest on the show.

The theme was to invite Beckham, as a retired superstar, to evaluate these two goals by Tang Long.

After ending his long player career with Paris Saint-Germain, Beckham remains active in world football.

As a football icon, his influence has far exceeded the bounds of football.

Thus making an indelible contribution to the promotion and popularization of football worldwide.

Of course, Sky Sports invited Beckham rather than other retired superstars, which clearly carries a special significance.

Because Beckham also had a miraculous midfield shot!

And the accuracy of his free-kick technique ran through his entire career, becoming a signature move as a player.

Just like Ronaldo’s pendulum dribbling, Carlos’ powerful long shots, Robben’s cut inside and shots, becoming symbols and benchmarks for numerous players.

Remember, it was in the 1995~1996 season, during a Premier League match, Beckham in a red Manchester United jersey elegantly scored a goal from a midfield shot!

The image of him celebrating with arms outstretched in the sunshine became a Premier League classic, he was the most proud young man in the UK on that summer afternoon.

(In 1996, a 21-year-old Beckham)

Beckham later recalled that this goal changed his career.

The host on Sky Sports divided the screen into two sides.

On the left, Beckham’s midfield shot from a 1996 match was played.

While on the right, Tang Long’s recent aerial shot was shown.

"David, please evaluate which of these two goals is more spectacular?"

The host’s question was clearly pressing Beckham.

However, Beckham, long retired, showed great magnanimity at this moment, and his response revealed his objectivity.

"My shot was indeed spectacular, this goal changed my career, making me the most handsome man on the entire British Isles, haha!"

"But objectively speaking, Tang Long’s shot is 100 times more challenging!"

"Are you sure it’s 100 times?"

The host obviously found a topic and pursued this number further.

Beckham smiled and said slowly:

"When I did my shot, the ball was rolling on the ground, I had plenty of space and time to position my leg for a shot."

"In fact, such midfield goals happen in the top five leagues each year, they aren’t rare. I estimate it happens two to three times a year in the Premier League."

"But Tang Long’s shot, my God, besides the word ’unbelievable,’ I really don’t know how to describe it, maybe ’Magnificent!’ Please excuse my lack of vocabulary."

Beckham analyzed from his professional perspective why Tang Long’s shot is 100 times more difficult than his famous shot from 1996.

First of all, Tang Long’s goal was a volley, and hitting a volley requires great control of footwork from the players; a slight mistake can send the ball flying off target.

Secondly, the ball came from the Udinese goalkeeper’s headed clearance, and it came at a high speed, leaving Tang Long with very little time to decide, very little!

Only a second or two.

If Tang Long had stopped the ball before shooting, the Udinese goalkeeper would have returned to the goal, and he would have missed the opportunity.

"Actually, what amazed me was not Tang Long’s footwork. The top five leagues are full of talent, and many players have such skills."

"What surprised me was his determination; he was resolute in that moment about taking the shot!"

"This reflects Tang’s high confidence as a midfielder and his strong desire to score. This goal did have an element of luck. I believe even if you let him take ten shots in training, he might not score one, let alone in an actual Serie A match."

"If he had missed this shot in the game, he would have certainly faced ridicule from opponents and media, saying that this kid is daydreaming."

At this point, David Beckham’s voice rose by eight degrees, and his tone became enthusiastic.

"But what’s the biggest difference between great players and mediocre ones?"

"I think it’s not the level of skill and ability, but the difference in mentality!"

"Great players are never afraid of making mistakes; even when the odds of scoring are small, they still have the courage and determination to try and challenge it!"

"You also have to add the word ’courage,’ courage and determination; this is my best summary of Tang Long’s midfield lob shot!"

When talking about Tang Long’s second brilliant goal, which was a free kick sneak attack.

Beckham’s wrinkled eyes involuntarily lifted, and a smile of admiration appeared at the corner of his mouth~

"I must repeat what I just said again, still these two words: [Courage] and [Determination]."

In the Sky Sports studio, Tang Long’s free kick sneak attack was repeatedly played.

From a wide-angle bird’s eye view to the perspective of the Samp goalkeeper;

to the perspective of the substitutes on the sidelines;

and then to the view from the high stands—almost a full 360-degree replay of the scene.

"It’s like a pre-designed stage play, all under Inter Milan’s control."

"Brozovic and Kovacic, these two Croatians, were standing in front of the ball discussing who would take the kick—obviously, they were performing, confusing Sampdoria’s players to finally let Tang deliver the deadly blow!"

The Sky Sports host immediately interrupted Beckham.

"As far as I know, based on post-match interviews, even Brozovic and Kovacic were stunned; they clearly didn’t anticipate Tang Long would take the free kick."

Beckham shrugged indifferently.

"Is that so? I don’t believe it!"

"I think it was indeed a pre-designed play they acted out."

"If it’s not a performance and it was Tang Long’s spur of the moment, then Tang is truly amazing!"

"Because designing this tactic and executing this process inherently requires tremendous courage and determination."

"Because if it didn’t go in, if the opponent’s goalkeeper easily collected it, then it would have been a wasted precious free kick opportunity, and they’d face ridicule and blame from the fans. I’ve played professional football for many years; I know how fans think."

Beckham paused for a moment.

He hesitated to speak, then carefully watched Tang Long’s goal replay again.

His eyelids slightly twitched.

"Well, if it’s truly as you said, then only Tang Long knew what he was going to do when taking that shot; the other 21 players on the field, including opponents and teammates, had no idea he would do so; then that 18-year-old boy is simply a football genius!"

"He not only possesses the courage and determination that I’ve repeatedly emphasized as traits of a great player, but more importantly, he also has an exceptionally keen [Insight], or rather, a [Prediction Ability]."

"While other teammates are contemplating whether the distance is too far, the opponent’s wall is too many, which part of the goal to target to create a descending arc while ensuring speed."

"But Tang had already seen the goalkeeper’s positioning error in advance and almost in a flash went up and kicked, slap! The ball went in, as simple as that for him!"

When the Sky Sports TV screen froze on the scene of Samp’s goalkeeper standing stupefied, looking at the ball rolling at his feet.

The host and Beckham couldn’t help but slap their thighs and burst into laughter.

The hearty laughter echoed in the studio.

"Ahahahahaha—"

"Samp’s goalkeeper is named Viviano, I know this guy, he was once loaned to Arsenal for a year."

"This Italian is really unfortunate; inattention led him to become the backdrop for Tang Long’s lob shot."

"Look at his bewildered expression; a second ago he was leaning against the goalpost, scratching his head, meticulously directing the wall deployment, and a second later he was scored on...I’m sorry, Viviano, I didn’t mean to laugh at you, apologies."

Beckham raised his hand to the camera as a gesture of apology.

"It’s just that I find this image too amusing, this goal is quite a blow to the goalkeeper, I hope Viviano picks himself up and doesn’t lose his confidence as a keeper because of Tang’s sneak attack!"