Xiao Hong's team had started out ahead, only to be overtaken by Wang Yang and his teammates. Now they were trailing.
Several of Xiao Hong's counterattacks were intercepted. Growing impatient, he resorted to one risky move after another, but left more and more openings. His team played worse than they had in the first half, pinned down by Wang Yang's side.
Furious at losing, Xiao Hong's movements grew rougher, his collisions more frequent. Wang Yang's team were no meek little angels either. If you could fight hard, why couldn't they? The physical clashes between the two sides kept escalating, even turning into shoving and tripping.
Ju Zheng-the referee-had to stop play several times to call fouls. Xiao Hong felt that, as a member of the Shen Family, Ju Zheng was favoring Wang Yang's team because Shen Tanliang was playing on it. He challenged Shen Tanliang on the spot!
Shen Tanliang firmly insisted that there was nothing wrong with Ju Zheng's calls!
Xiao Hong ground his teeth in fury. After their argument, his tackles grew even harsher!
As a forward, Le Xiaopang bore the brunt of it, repeatedly subjected to brutal attacks. At another kickoff in midfield, Shen Tanliang received Wang Yang's sideways pass and sent it on to Le Xiaopang. Just as Le Xiaopang was about to receive the ball, Xiao Hong shoved him aside from the flank. Le Xiaopang nearly fell, staggering several steps before regaining his balance. Seeing Xiao Hong turning back with the ball, his back utterly unconcerned, Le Xiaopang's temper flared. He immediately charged over and slammed into Xiao Hong in return. Neither would give way, their bodies pressing and their feet hooking at each other, and they were on the verge of coming to blows!
Players from both teams hurried over to separate them. Shen