Chapter Summaries

Manchester United and Chelsea traded goals in a thrilling Community Shield first half, with Zhang Kuang scoring twice and helping create a third as Čech repeatedly produced extraordinary saves. The half ended with Manchester United leading 3-2 after Čech denied Zhang Kuang a late long-range effort.

• Čech stopped Zhang Kuang on an early break, then denied Rooney before Zhang Kuang headed in Giggs's corner to give Manchester United the lead.
• Mata equalized for Chelsea after Lampard split Manchester United's defense with a through ball.
• Pogba won the ball from Mata and assisted Zhang Kuang, who beat two defenders and scored from thirty-five meters to restore Manchester United's lead.
• Giggs's corner led to Smalling scoring Manchester United's third, but Drogba headed in Kalou's cross to make it 3-2.
• In stoppage time, Čech reached Zhang Kuang's swerving shot and turned it away before the referee ended the first half.

Manchester United defeated Chelsea 5-2 to win the Community Shield, with Zhang Kuang recording two goals and two assists as De Gea made several crucial saves. After the trophy presentation, Zhang Kuang praised Čech’s improved shot-stopping, leaving the Chelsea goalkeeper furious, while Ferguson confirmed Pogba would be an important rotation player.

• At halftime, Zhang Kuang advised Pogba on how to mark Mata and adjust his defensive positioning, then Ferguson laid out counterattacking tactics for the second half.
• Chelsea pressed forward after the break, but De Gea saved efforts from Drogba and Mata before Manchester United counterattacked.
• In the 54th minute, Zhang Kuang crossed for Berbatov to score and put Manchester United ahead 4-2.
• De Gea made further saves from Lampard and Terry as Chelsea brought on attackers and Ferguson refreshed Manchester United’s defense and midfield.
• In the 81st minute, Zhang Kuang set up Rooney for an open-goal finish, and Manchester United held on to win 5-2 and lift the Community Shield.
• After the match, Čech took Zhang Kuang’s praise as mockery and called him a lifelong enemy, while Ferguson said Pogba would become an important rotation player.

Zhang Kuang exposed and eliminated the people who had been sent to attack him, prompting foreign agencies to suspend their Hong Kong operations. He returned to football and prepared to lead Manchester United against West Brom in the Premier League opener.

• Zhang Kuang clarified that he had sincerely praised Čech, though Čech rejected his explanation and the controversy continued.
• Zhang Kuang captured four men following him in Paris and learned they had been ordered to break his legs over his statements on Chinese social media.
• Zhang Kuang killed the four attackers, then seven of their associates and contacts were killed in Hong Kong, causing agencies in Washington and London to suspend operations.
• Zhang Kuang returned to Manchester, where online attacks against him stopped and he resumed his footballing life.
• Ferguson named Hernández in Manchester United's front three against West Brom and told Zhang Kuang he could roam as long as he preserved the team's shape.
• Zhang Kuang, Rooney, and Hernández prepared to lead Manchester United out at The Hawthorns for the Premier League opener.

Manchester United began their 2011–12 Premier League season away at West Brom, and Zhang Kuang gave them an early lead with a solo run and finish. West Brom tightened their marking and created chances of their own as the match continued.

• Manchester United and West Brom completed the pre-match formalities, and referee Mike Jones started the match at The Hawthorns.
• West Brom pressed United's midfield, while Reid and Shorey initially restricted Zhang Kuang on the left.
• Park Ji-sung intercepted a West Brom pass and fed Zhang Kuang, whose cross led to a corner and a United chance.
• After Cleverley won the ball and sent a diagonal pass forward, Zhang Kuang outran Reid, evaded defenders, and scored past Ben Foster in the ninth minute.
• West Brom responded with Scharner's long-range shot, which went wide as De Gea watched it pass.
• West Brom doubled up on Zhang Kuang in the fourteenth minute, so he passed back; Cleverley then sent Rooney through, and Foster saved Rooney's shot behind.

Zhang Kuang assisted Hernández to put Manchester United 2-0 ahead, but Foster repeatedly denied his shots as West Brom fought back to make it 2-1. At halftime, Ferguson urged Manchester United to exploit the space behind West Brom’s high line, while Zhang Kuang wondered whether he was cursed before returning to the pitch focused on the second half.

• Zhang Kuang set up Hernández’s volley with an outside-of-the-foot pass, giving Manchester United a 2-0 lead.
• Mulumbu fouled Zhang Kuang and received a yellow card, then Foster saved Cleverley’s shot from Zhang Kuang’s free-kick routine.
• Foster made two more outstanding saves against Zhang Kuang as West Brom’s fans roared him on.
• Shane Long headed in Brunt’s cross after Cleverley lost possession, reducing West Brom’s deficit to 2-1.
• Zhang Kuang hit the crossbar with a late free kick and wondered if he was cursed as the first half ended.
• Ferguson told Manchester United to play directly into the space behind West Brom’s high line, while Hodgson planned to double-team Zhang Kuang and counterattack.

Manchester United defeated West Brom 4-1 in their league opener, with Zhang Kuang scoring twice and assisting twice while De Gea made several important saves. After receiving man of the match, Zhang Kuang praised Foster and De Gea, prompting Foster to accuse him of insulting him.

• De Gea stopped Morrison's volley as West Brom pressed early in the second half, and United's defenders cleared further threats.
• Zhang Kuang used the Pendulum to round Foster and score his second goal, putting Manchester United 3-1 ahead.
• Zhang Kuang beat West Brom's midfield double-team and set up Rooney to score United's fourth goal.
• De Gea made another save late in the match, and Manchester United held on to win 4-1.
• Zhang Kuang received man of the match and said Foster and De Gea deserved the award more than he did.
• Foster erupted after a reporter relayed Zhang Kuang's praise, accusing him of bullying and insulting him.

At the PFA awards dinner, Zhang Kuang won the 2010/11 Players’ Player of the Year award after being named to the Team of the Year. On the way back to the hotel, he gained 72 Qi and Blood Points, bringing his total to 1398.75, and planned to spend his upcoming twentieth birthday at his Paris villa.

• Zhang Kuang attended the PFA awards dinner with Van der Sar, Vidić, and Berbatov, where they joked about his chances of winning.
• Zhang Kuang, Van der Sar, Vidić, Ber, Nasri, and other players were named to the PFA Team of the Year.
• Gordon Tyler announced Zhang Kuang as the Players’ Player of the Year, and Zhang Kuang accepted the trophy and thanked the players, Manchester United, and his supporters.
• Players from other clubs congratulated Zhang Kuang, and Van der Sar told him that Nasri might leave Arsenal for Manchester City.
• Zhang Kuang left the dinner amid media attention, then received 72 Qi and Blood Points for the award, raising his total to 1398.75.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick as Manchester United crushed Tottenham Hotspur 5-0, then prepared to face Porto in the Europe Super Cup. After the Champions League draw placed Manchester United in Group C, the Super Cup final began in Monaco.

• Zhang Kuang used two days off to cultivate 18 Qi and Blood Points before returning to Manchester.
• Zhang Kuang scored three first-half goals against Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United won 5-0 after Rooney and Berbatov added second-half goals.
• Ferguson and Zhang Kuang expressed confidence at the Super Cup press conference, while Vítor Pereira said Porto had come to Monaco to win.
• UEFA drew Manchester United into Group C with Benfica, Basel, and Oțelul Galați, while Groups A and F were labeled groups of death and Group D reunited Real Madrid and Lyon.
• Ferguson advised Zhang Kuang to target Helton’s far corner before the Europe Super Cup final.
• Kuipers started the 2011 Europe Super Cup between Manchester United and Porto after Zhang Kuang acknowledged Chinese supporters in the stands.

Zhang Kuang scored four goals in the first half of the Europe Super Cup final as Manchester United dominated Porto 4-0. At halftime, Ferguson urged United to manage the match safely, while Pereira tried to rally Porto by framing the game as a chance to prove themselves.

• Zhang Kuang broke through Porto’s defense and scored the opening goal in the sixth minute.
• Zhang Kuang scored again after Berbatov’s backheel pass, then later headed in from Giggs’s corner to complete his hat trick.
• Zhang Kuang scored his fourth goal just before halftime, leaving Manchester United ahead 4-0.
• Ferguson told Zhang Kuang to control the tempo and avoid injury, saying he would substitute him early if appropriate.
• Helton and Săpunaru argued over Porto’s defending until Pereira stopped them and urged the players to use the match to showcase their abilities.

Zhang Kuang scored five goals as Manchester United defeated Porto 5-1 and won the Europe Super Cup, then drew worldwide attention for his record-setting performance. As the team prepared to face Arsenal, Wenger joked that he hoped Zhang Kuang’s girlfriends would leave him too tired to play well.

• Zhang Kuang scored his fifth goal against Porto, then assisted Berbatov before Hernández replaced him to a standing ovation.
• Manchester United beat Porto 5-1, and Zhang Kuang received the best player trophy and celebrated lifting the Europe Super Cup with his teammates.
• Ferguson praised Zhang Kuang at the press conference, while Zhang Kuang said winning the title mattered more than his five goals.
• Sports media and online audiences celebrated Zhang Kuang’s record, while he focused on preparing for upcoming matches against Arsenal and the China National Team.
• Ferguson and Wenger discussed the upcoming Manchester United-Arsenal match, and Wenger joked that Zhang Kuang’s girlfriends might tire him out before kickoff.

Manchester United dominated the opening stages against Arsenal, and Zhang Kuang scored in the twenty-third minute after controlling Vidić’s long pass and beating Koscielny, Jenkinson, and Szczęsny. Manchester United led 1-0 at Old Trafford as Arsenal’s players regrouped.

• Zhang Kuang and Evra exchanged remarks with the Arsenal players in the tunnel before both teams entered Old Trafford.
• Manchester United started aggressively, and Koscielny stopped Zhang Kuang’s early run with a sliding tackle.
• Zhang Kuang turned away from Jenkinson and passed through Arsenal’s defense for Rooney, whose shot Szczęsny tipped over the bar.
• Walcott produced Arsenal’s first shot on target, but De Gea blocked it with his leg.
• Vidić sent a long diagonal pass toward Zhang Kuang, who controlled it at speed, broke into the penalty area, and scored past Szczęsny.
• Zhang Kuang celebrated with his teammates while Van Persie comforted Jenkinson and Wenger watched from the touchline.

Manchester United led Arsenal 4-1 at halftime after Berbatov and Rooney scored and Zhang Kuang scored twice, though Walcott pulled one back. Ferguson prepared his team for Arsenal to press after the break, while Wenger urged his players to keep fighting.

• Berbatov turned past Djourou and scored from Carrick's through ball to give Manchester United a 2-0 lead.
• Zhang Kuang broke down the left and crossed for Rooney to make it 3-0.
• Zhang Kuang followed Berbatov's saved shot and headed in the rebound for his second goal and Manchester United's fourth.
• Walcott scored for Arsenal after Rosický's through ball to make it 4-1 before halftime.
• Ferguson warned Manchester United that Arsenal would press after the break, and Zhang Kuang recognized the space that would create.
• Wenger told Arsenal to push forward, press Manchester United's midfield, and keep fighting.

Manchester United overwhelmed Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford, with Zhang Kuang scoring four goals and Rooney scoring twice. The chapter ended with Arsenal suffering a historic defeat after Wenger's increasingly attacking tactics left their defense exposed.

• Arsenal pushed higher and made aggressive substitutions, but Zhang Kuang exploited the open space to score his third goal and put Manchester United ahead 5-1.
• Van Persie scored for Arsenal, but Rooney answered with a long-range goal to make it 6-2.
• Zhang Kuang scored his fourth goal after combining with Ashley Young, extending Manchester United's lead to 7-2 before Park Ji-sung replaced him.
• Ashley Young scored a long-range goal to make it 8-2 as Arsenal supporters began leaving Old Trafford.
• He Wei and Xu Yang reviewed the historic scoreline and attributed Arsenal's defeat to their weakened squad and Wenger's attacking tactics.

Manchester United beat Arsenal 8-2, with Zhang Kuang scoring four goals and later advising Van Persie to leave Arsenal. After Arsenal announced five late signings and reports said Van Persie had nearly departed, Zhang Kuang returned to focus on the Asian qualifiers as the China National Team arrived in Hong Kong on September 1, 2011.

• Manchester United held their 8-2 lead to full time, and Zhang Kuang exchanged shirts with Van Persie and suggested that Arsenal was holding him back.
• Wenger admitted Arsenal's defeat was shameful but refused to resign, while Ferguson praised Manchester United's start and warned his players to avoid injuries.
• Zhang Kuang credited his goals to teamwork in interviews, and British newspapers and Chinese social media widely discussed the match and his performance.
• Arsenal signed Mertesacker, André Santos, Arteta, Park Chu-young, and Benayoun on deadline day, while reports said Van Persie had nearly left to join a club capable of winning trophies.
• Zhang Kuang stopped following the transfer news, and the China National Team arrived in Hong Kong for its upcoming match on September 1, 2011.

Ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifier between Hong Kong and China, coaches and captains discussed how they planned to handle Zhang Kuang, while fans and commentators focused on his first official match against the national team. After the teams entered Hong Kong Stadium and completed the anthem and coin toss, China prepared to kick off.

• At the September 1 press conference, Troussier said Hong Kong would target China's midfield gaps and build its attack around Zhang Kuang, while Camacho stressed that China would focus on marking him.
• Zheng Zhi rejected a reporter's suggestion that he might tackle Zhang Kuang's legs, saying he trusted himself and his teammates to defend within the rules.
• On the evening of September 2, Hong Kong Stadium filled with red-clad fans, China supporters, and Zhang Kuang merchandise before the match.
• In the tunnel, Fan Chun-yip encouraged Zhang Kuang, while Zheng Zhi and Huang Bowen prepared with the China team.
• Both teams entered the pitch, sang the shared national anthem, and completed the coin toss; Fan Chun-yip won, so China was set to kick off.

China Hong Kong dominated the China National Team in the first half of their Asian qualifier, with Zhang Kuang scoring a hat trick and assisting Cris Kong’s goal to make it 4-0. At halftime, Wei Di feared a massacre as the national team struggled to contain Zhang Kuang and Camacho had yet to find a response.

• Zhang Kuang sprinted onto Kwok Kin-pong’s through ball and scored past Yang Zhi to put China Hong Kong ahead 1-0.
• Zhang Kuang dribbled past several defenders and scored again, extending the lead to 2-0.
• Zhang Kuang combined with Cris Kong to complete his hat trick and make the score 3-0.
• Zhang Kuang headed Lee Chi-ho’s cross to Cris Kong, who scored to put China Hong Kong 4-0 ahead.
• Zheng Zhi kicked a water bottle toward Camacho, but Ou Chuliang caught it and Huang Bowen ushered Zheng Zhi back onto the pitch.
• The referee ended the first half with China Hong Kong leading 4-0, while Wei Di arranged to speak with someone in Chairman He’s box.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick and assisted another goal as the Hong Kong Team took a 4-0 halftime lead over the China national team. He agreed to come off at the request of officials, and the match ended 4-0, leaving questions about the substitution and the national team’s rebuilding.

• Chairman He relayed Wei Di’s request that Zhang Kuang sit out the second half to spare the national team a heavier defeat, and Zhang Kuang agreed to be substituted.
• The Hong Kong Team replaced Zhang Kuang with Chan Siu-ki at halftime, provoking angry chants from fans while commentators suggested the team was saving him for its next match.
• The China national team failed to score in the second half, and Al-Jassim ended the match with the Hong Kong Team winning 4-0.
• Zhang Kuang thanked the fans, bowed to the national team supporters, and exchanged shirts with Zheng Zhi.
• The commentators criticized the national team’s problems and called for reform, while attention turned to the reason for Zhang Kuang’s halftime substitution.

At the post-match press conference after the China Hong Kong Team defeated the China National Team, Troussier and Zhang Kuang explained Zhang’s halftime substitution, while Zhang discussed the national team’s weaknesses and his goals for Hong Kong. Camacho and Zheng Zhi addressed the defeat, and CCTV commentators analyzed how the result could give the national team confidence and expose problems with player selection.

• Troussier said he had substituted Zhang Kuang to conserve his energy, assess the team without him, and ease up after the China Hong Kong Team had scored four goals.
• Zhang Kuang said he had agreed to come off and explained that he held no deep grudge against the national team; he urged the team to improve by competing against strong opponents and selecting players on ability rather than seniority.
• Zhang Kuang set reaching the final ten and qualifying for the 2014 World Cup as goals for the Hong Kong Team, and said he hoped it could reach the tournament’s round of sixteen.
• Camacho admitted that the China National Team had defended poorly, said he did not yet have full authority over player selection, and vowed to pursue qualification for the final ten.
• Zheng Zhi praised Zhang Kuang as a world-class player and said the national team had felt more confident after the loss because Zhang’s success showed Chinese players could improve.
• He Wei and Xu Yang discussed the press conference on CCTV and said the defeat highlighted the need for better player selection and greater authority for the head coach.

After Zhang Kuang led Hong Kong to a 4–0 victory over China, the win drew intense media attention before the team traveled to Amman for its next World Cup qualifier. The chapter ends as Hong Kong and Jordan prepare to kick off, with both teams’ tactics and lineups introduced.

• Zhang Kuang’s hat trick and assist against China dominated online discussion and newspaper coverage, while commentators debated his halftime substitution and his decision not to humiliate the national team further.
• Hong Kong Team arrived in Amman, where Zhang Kuang and Cris Kong studied Jordan’s defenders and the squad adjusted to the heat.
• Troussier outlined an attacking 4-2-3-1 plan that would use Zhang Kuang to draw out Jordan’s center-backs and create space for Hong Kong’s attack.
• Troussier and Jordan coach Adnan Hamad promised to fight for all three points at their press conferences, with Hamad vowing to silence Zhang Kuang.
• Hong Kong and Jordan entered Amman International Stadium for their second-round qualifier as the teams’ starting lineups and the hostile home atmosphere were introduced.

China Hong Kong attacked Jordan aggressively, and Zhang Kuang scored in the eighteenth minute after Cris Kong’s through ball to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Jordan pressed for an equalizer, but Fan Chun-yip kept making crucial saves as the match continued.

• Troussier’s attacking 4-2-3-1 created early chances for Zhang Kuang, Cris Kong, and Zheng Shaowei while Fan Chun-yip stopped Jordan’s attacks.
• Cris Kong spun away from Saeed and set up Li Weilian, whose shot Shafi pushed behind.
• Cris Kong found Zhang Kuang’s run behind Jordan’s defense, and Zhang Kuang beat Shafi to put China Hong Kong ahead 1-0.
• Jordan attacked immediately after conceding, but Fan Chun-yip collected Saeed’s long-range shot and tipped Deeb’s free kick over the bar.