Chapter Summaries

Hong Kong overwhelmed Jordan with relentless attacks and tactical movement, taking a 3-0 lead before halftime despite Jordan creating chances of their own. The chapter ended with Jordan's players and coach baffled, while the commentators began to explain how Zhang Kuang's presence opened space for Hong Kong's other attackers.

• Hong Kong repeatedly threatened Jordan's goal through Li Weilian, Zheng Shaowei, and Shane Lowry, while Jordan also produced dangerous attacks.
• Leung Chun-pong injured his ankle in a midfield challenge, received treatment, and returned to play; referee Subramaniam later booked Fathi for the challenge.
• Leung Chun-pong intercepted a pass and started a four-pass attack, ending with Lee Chi-ho's cross and Zheng Shaowei's header to make it 2-0 in the 34th minute.
• After Shane Lowry and Leung Chun-pong won the ball, Cris Kong sent Zhang Kuang through, and Zhang Kuang broke free of Al-Zoubi to score Hong Kong's third in the 40th minute.
• Jordan's players and coach Adnan Hamad struggled to understand how they had fallen three goals behind, while Xu Yang attributed Hong Kong's success to Zhang Kuang drawing defenders and the other attackers exploiting the resulting space.

Hong Kong led Jordan 4-0 at halftime after Zhang Kuang set up Cris Kong, and Troussier prepared the team to withstand Jordan’s expected second-half assault. Jordan attacked relentlessly after the break, but Zhang Kuang scored his third goal on a counterattack to make it 5-0.

• Zhang Kuang held off two defenders and backheeled a pass for Cris Kong to score Hong Kong’s fourth goal in the 43rd minute.
• Chan Wai-ho cleared Jordan’s final first-half attack, and Hong Kong went into halftime leading 4-0.
• Troussier instructed Hong Kong to strengthen their defense against Jordan’s expected fightback, while Adnan Hamad ordered Jordan to attack with more players.
• Jordan pressed forward after halftime, but Fan Chun-yip saved Fathi’s long-range shot and Hong Kong defended Jordan’s crosses and corners.
• Adnan Hamad brought on Hayel for Saeed to add another attacker.
• Jack Xu intercepted a pass, Cris Kong sent Zhang Kuang through, and Zhang Kuang chipped Shafi to complete his hat trick and give Hong Kong a 5-0 lead.

Hong Kong beat Jordan 7-0 away, with Zhang Kuang scoring five goals, as their defense withstood Jordan’s attacks and their counterattacks proved devastating. After the final whistle, Zhang Kuang praised his teammates, Troussier’s tactics, and Jordan’s attacking strength.

• Jordan pressed forward, but Shane Lowry stopped Salah’s one-on-one chance and Hong Kong’s defenders cleared several dangerous attacks.
• Zheng Shaowei cut the ball back for Zhang Kuang to score his fourth goal and give Hong Kong a 6-0 lead in the 56th minute.
• Leung Chun-pong won the ball, Cris Kong passed right, and Li Weilian set up Zhang Kuang’s fifth goal for 7-0 in the 67th minute.
• Troussier substituted Zhang Kuang, Zheng Shaowei, and Leung Chun-pong, after which Hong Kong held Jordan at bay in midfield until the final whistle.
• Hong Kong defeated Jordan 7-0, taking two wins from two qualifying matches with eleven goals scored and none conceded.
• Zhang Kuang accepted the player of the match award and credited Hong Kong’s defense and team play while saying Jordan deserved respect despite the loss.

After Hong Kong’s 7-0 win over Jordan, Zhang Kuang confirmed that he and Troussier had planned to draw Jordan forward so he could exploit the space and score. The victory drew widespread attention across Asia and Europe, and Zhang Kuang left Amman for Manchester as Hong Kong looked ahead to the remaining qualifiers.

• Zhang Kuang told reporters that he had suggested the tactic of luring Jordan forward, praised Hong Kong’s defense, and said the team’s place in the final ten was assured.
• The interview spread across Asian and European media, where fans and commentators discussed Zhang Kuang’s goals, Hong Kong’s tactics, and the threat he posed to other teams.
• Troussier confirmed that he and Zhang Kuang had devised the plan, explained that they would have changed tactics if Jordan scored more than two goals, and praised the whole team’s performance.
• Jordan coach Adnan Hamad admitted that his team had underestimated Hong Kong’s attack and defense, while saying he doubted the tactic would work against Jordan a second time.
• Fan Chun-yip and Leung Chun-pong saw Zhang Kuang off at the hotel before he departed Amman for Manchester.
• Newspaper coverage across Asia and Europe celebrated Hong Kong’s 7-0 victory and Zhang Kuang’s eight goals in two qualifiers.

After returning from international duty, Zhang Kuang hosted his Manchester United teammates for Chinese food and encouraged Paul Pogba ahead of his first Premier League start. Manchester United then faced Bolton away, and the fourth-round match began with Zhang Kuang poised to attack.

• Zhang Kuang invited his Manchester United teammates to dinner, and they joked about his international five-goal haul and Bolton's physical style.
• Ferdinand advised Pogba to keep possession and make threatening passes before Pogba revealed he would start against Bolton.
• Ferguson and Owen Coyle discussed injuries and their plans for the match at the pre-match press conference.
• Manchester United's starting lineup included Pogba in midfield alongside Carrick and Cleverley, while Vidić and Berbatov were absent.
• Manchester United won the coin toss, and Marriner's whistle started the match at Reebok Stadium.

Manchester United took control against Bolton as Zhang Kuang scored and assisted Hernández, putting his side 2-0 ahead. The chapter ended with Ferguson pleased by their performance while Berbatov watched their partnership with an unreadable expression.

• De Gea saved Petrov’s early shot, and Jääskeläinen tipped Zhang Kuang’s long-range effort over the bar.
• Kevin Davies earned a yellow card for elbowing Phil Jones, and Boyata blocked Hernández’s shot near the goal line.
• Mark Davies injured his thigh while tracking Zhang Kuang but continued playing until Bolton substituted him for Pratley.
• Pogba passed through Bolton’s midfield, and Zhang Kuang scored from outside the penalty area to give Manchester United a 1-0 lead.
• Neville revealed that Zhang Kuang had helped develop Pogba by identifying and correcting five weaknesses in his game.
• Zhang Kuang beat Robinson near the byline and set up Hernández to score Manchester United’s second goal, while Berbatov watched their celebration.

Manchester United overwhelmed Bolton 6-0, with Zhang Kuang scoring a hat trick and Pogba contributing two assists. After the match, Ferguson brought Zhang Kuang to the press conference and publicly asked reporters to question him about his improved scoring.

• Bolton earned three first-half yellow cards as Manchester United took a 2-0 lead through goals from Zhang Kuang and Hernández.
• Ferguson told Carrick to help defend against high balls and instructed Zhang Kuang to keep attacking Robinson, while Coyle switched Bolton to a deeper counterattacking setup.
• Zhang Kuang scored directly from a free kick in the 52nd minute to make it 3-0.
• Pogba's corner found Zhang Kuang, who headed in his third goal in the 71st minute to complete his hat trick.
• Welbeck and Anderson scored late goals as Manchester United finished with a 6-0 victory over Bolton.
• Ferguson attended the post-match press conference with Zhang Kuang and asked reporters to question him about his improved scoring ability.

After Manchester United thrashed Bolton 6-0, Zhang Kuang and Pogba drew praise in post-match interviews and media coverage, while Zhang Kuang’s scoring record sparked comparisons with Messi. Manchester United then beat Benfica 4-1 in the Champions League, and the chapter ended with their upcoming Premier League match against Chelsea looming.

• Ferguson praised Pogba’s two assists and explained that Manchester United had promoted academy players after rivals refused to sell their targets at reasonable prices.
• Zhang Kuang attributed his improved finishing to talent, while Coyle admitted Bolton had failed to contain him or Pogba in the 6-0 defeat.
• Media outlets celebrated Zhang Kuang’s hat-trick and compared his scoring figures with Messi’s, prompting Zhang Kuang to decide to focus on football instead of the debate.
• Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1 in their opening Champions League group match, with Zhang Kuang scoring twice and Hernández and Rooney adding goals.
• Manchester United prepared to host Chelsea in the Premier League, with Chelsea third in the table after four rounds.

Manchester United and Chelsea met at Old Trafford after days of buildup, with both managers outlining their plans for the Premier League clash. After De Gea saved Drogba’s early shot, Zhang Kuang broke through Chelsea’s press and scored a long-range goal to put Manchester United ahead.

• Newspapers and broadcasters across Britain, Europe, and China previewed the Manchester United-Chelsea match and focused on Zhang Kuang and Drogba.
• Ferguson joked about Zhang Kuang’s scoring record, then warned that Chelsea and Drogba posed a serious threat; Boas said Chelsea had prepared specifically for Manchester United’s attack.
• Ferguson instructed Zhang Kuang and Rooney to exploit the space behind Chelsea’s defense and assigned Vidić to contain Drogba.
• Manchester United and Chelsea took the field at Old Trafford, where Boas surprised the commentators by choosing a 4-4-2 formation.
• Drogba turned under pressure from Vidić and shot toward goal in the fourth minute, but De Gea dived to save the attempt.
• Zhang Kuang evaded Ivanović and Ramires in the ninth minute, then struck from around thirty meters and beat Čech to give Manchester United a 1-0 lead.

Zhang Kuang gave Manchester United an early lead against Chelsea with a spectacular long-range goal, then helped them dominate the first half despite Chelsea's dangerous attacks. He capped the half with a curling free kick to make it 2-0.

• Zhang Kuang beat Ivanović and scored from thirty metres in the ninth minute, putting Manchester United ahead and sparking a huge celebration.
• Vidić blocked Drogba's shot in the seventeenth minute, and Terry cleared Zhang Kuang's corner before Čech saved Rooney's volley in the twenty-third.
• Lampard received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Zhang Kuang, who avoided injury and warned him not to do it again.
• Čech denied Hernández at close range after Zhang Kuang created a chance, and De Gea later caught Drogba's header.
• Zhang Kuang scored a curling free kick in stoppage time, extending Manchester United's lead to 2-0.

Zhang Kuang scored twice in the first half as Manchester United led Chelsea 2-0, then helped set up Hernández's goal after the break. Drogba pulled one back for Chelsea, leaving Manchester United ahead 3-1 as Chelsea prepared to restart.

• Zhang Kuang scored a deceptive free kick in first-half stoppage time to give Manchester United a 2-0 halftime lead.
• Ferguson told Manchester United to stay focused, while Boas planned a more attacking formation and prepared Tuncay to replace Meireles.
• Zhang Kuang, Rooney, and Hernández combined for a goal in the 58th minute, extending Manchester United's lead to 3-0.
• Drogba turned past Vidić and scored in the 64th minute, reducing Chelsea's deficit to 3-1.

Manchester United beat Chelsea 3-1 as Zhang Kuang scored twice and assisted once, then won praise and questions about his extraordinary abilities. After a strong run of club results, Zhang Kuang returned to Hong Kong ahead of a crucial World Cup qualifier against Iraq, while fans argued over whether to keep supporting the struggling China National Team.

• Ferguson tightened Manchester United’s defense after Drogba scored, and both teams made substitutions as the match continued.
• Pogba made a confident interception after coming on, while Manchester United saw out the game and defeated Chelsea 3-1.
• Zhang Kuang exchanged shirts with Drogba, collected the man-of-the-match award, and faced reporters who questioned his form and supposedly inhuman reactions.
• Ferguson, Vidić, Boas, and Terry discussed Zhang Kuang at their press conferences, and Neville rejected the claim that he was not human.
• Manchester United won several subsequent matches, including a 5-3 Champions League victory over Basel, before Zhang Kuang flew to Hong Kong for the Iraq qualifier.
• Fans debated China Hong Kong’s qualification prospects and mocked supporters who continued calculating theoretical routes for the winless China National Team.

Zhang Kuang attended flag ceremonies at the Shenzhen and Hong Kong Xionghua schools before rejoining the Hong Kong Team’s preparations for their World Cup qualifier against Iraq. On October 11, both teams arrived at a packed Hong Kong Stadium, where Iraq’s players hoped to win the match and its bonus.

• Zhang Kuang reached Shenzhen, visited the football school, and joined Wu Guohua for a ceremony presenting flags to the U9, U10, U11, and U12 teams.
• Zhang Kuang congratulated the selected students and urged them to work hard on the difficult road toward becoming professional players.
• Zhang Kuang attended a similar flag ceremony at Hong Kong Xionghua School, then told reporters that the Hong Kong Team would advance against Iraq.
• Troussier drilled the Hong Kong Team in a 4-2-3-1 formation and warned the players after the reserves troubled the first team in a practice match.
• At their pre-match press conferences, Troussier expressed confidence in Zhang Kuang and the Hong Kong Team, while Zico called Zhang Kuang Iraq’s most dangerous opponent.
• On October 11, fans filled the area around Hong Kong Stadium as the Hong Kong and Iraqi teams arrived; Iraq’s players focused on the financial importance of winning the match bonus.

Hong Kong took on Iraq in a crucial World Cup qualifier, with Zhang Kuang and Li Weilian scoring to give the home side a 2-0 halftime lead. Iraq threatened through Younis, but Fan Chun-yip and Hong Kong’s defense kept them from scoring before the break.

• Troussier urged Hong Kong’s players to beat Iraq, and the teams entered a roaring Hong Kong Stadium for kickoff.
• Jack Xu sent Zhang Kuang through behind Iraq’s defense in the sixth minute, but Kassid reached the ball first and the referee ignored a shirt pull.
• Fan Chun-yip saved Younis’s close-range shot in the thirteenth minute.
• Zhang Kuang scored with a powerful long-range strike in the nineteenth minute to put Hong Kong ahead 1-0.
• Li Weilian finished a move involving Cris Kong and Zhang Kuang in the thirty-eighth minute, extending Hong Kong’s lead to 2-0.
• Lee Chi-ho returned after a head clash, and Fan Chun-yip’s teammates defended an Iraqi corner before halftime ended with Hong Kong leading 2-0.

Zhang Kuang scored a hat trick as the Hong Kong Team defeated Iraq 5-1 to extend their qualifying group lead with three straight wins. After the match, he praised Iraq’s resilience and criticized the lack of domestic striker development, while the China National Team remained scoreless and lost to Jordan.

• Troussier urged the Hong Kong Team to withstand Iraq’s second-half attack, while the China National Team trailed Jordan 0-1 at halftime.
• Cris Kong’s free kick set up Zhang Kuang’s header in the fifty-first minute, giving Hong Kong a 3-0 lead.
• Zhang Kuang stayed on his feet after Shakir fouled him in the box and scored to complete his hat trick and make it 4-0.
• Younis scored for Iraq, but Cris Kong restored Hong Kong’s four-goal lead with a solo effort for 5-1.
• Hong Kong beat Iraq 5-1, and Zhang Kuang exchanged shirts with Younis before praising his teammates and criticizing the national team’s striker development in an interview.
• Commentators discussed the China National Team’s scoring problems and the obstacles preventing promising domestic players such as Wu Lei and Yu Hanchao from moving abroad.

After Hong Kong’s 5-1 win over Iraq, Zhang Kuang questioned why China’s national team and football authorities failed to address its obvious scoring problems. He returned to Manchester, helped United beat Liverpool and Oțelul, and the chapter ended just before the highly anticipated Manchester derby against City.

• Troussier praised Hong Kong’s victory over Iraq, while Zico admitted Iraq had failed to contain Zhang Kuang and focused on securing second place in the group.
• Chinese media and fans debated whether the national team’s lack of top-class forwards explained its inability to score, and Zhang Kuang drafted but deleted a Weibo post about the issue.
• Zhang Kuang reviewed the national team’s poor shooting statistics and wondered why its coaches and the Football Association had not identified the attacking problem.
• Zhang Kuang returned to Manchester and scored twice and assisted once as Manchester United beat Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield.
• Zhang Kuang scored in Manchester United’s 4-0 Champions League win over Oțelul Galați, giving United three straight group victories.
• Before the Manchester derby, broadcasters discussed the teams’ lineups, midfield battle, and the pressure on young players making their first appearance in the fixture.

Manchester United and Manchester City traded goals in a high-scoring Manchester derby at Old Trafford, with Zhang Kuang twice equalizing after City took the lead. The chapter ended with the score 2-2 in the thirty-third minute, as the match remained wide open.

• Ferguson rallied Manchester United before the derby, and the teams entered Old Trafford to begin the match.
• In the eighth minute, Yaya Touré drove forward and assisted Agüero, who scored to put Manchester City ahead 1-0.
• Zhang Kuang equalized in the fourteenth minute with a curling free kick that beat Joe Hart.
• In the twenty-second minute, Silva scored from Balotelli’s pass to restore Manchester City’s lead at 2-1.
• In the thirty-third minute, Zhang Kuang cut inside and struck a powerful low shot past Joe Hart to make it 2-2.

Manchester United fell behind Manchester City after a frantic first half and conceded again early in the second, but Zhang Kuang completed a hat trick to cut the deficit to 4-3. He carried the ball back to the center spot as United prepared to chase an equalizer.

• Mancini replaced Milner with Džeko, who scored from close range to put City ahead 3-2 before halftime.
• Ferguson berated United's defense and midfield in the dressing room, while Mancini and Milner argued in City's dressing room.
• City threatened immediately after halftime, then Balotelli scored from a rebound to extend their lead to 4-2.
• United pressed forward, but Kompany blocked Rooney's shot and Lescott stopped Hernández's follow-up on the goal line.
• Ashley Young crossed from the right, and Zhang Kuang headed the ball into the far corner to complete his hat trick and make it 4-3.
• Zhang Kuang collected the ball from the net and placed it on the center spot while City's players watched.

Manchester United fought back from a 3-5 deficit to draw level with Manchester City, but Nasri scored the winner in the eighty-eighth minute and City held on to win the eleven-goal derby 6-5. Zhang Kuang finished with three goals and two assists, then headed toward the tunnel after accepting that United had lost.

• Balotelli scored from a deflected shot to put Manchester City 5-3 ahead, but Zhang Kuang assisted Rooney’s long-range goal two minutes later.
• Zhang Kuang set up Hernández’s equalizer in the eightieth minute, making the score 5-5 and giving United renewed hope.
• After Mancini substituted Balotelli for Nasri, Nasri scored in the eighty-eighth minute to put Manchester City ahead 6-5.
• Manchester United pushed forward in stoppage time, but Kompany cleared Zhang Kuang’s header and Smalling stopped Agüero’s counterattack shot on the goal line before the final whistle.
• Manchester City won 6-5, and Zhang Kuang, named man of the match for his three goals and two assists, walked toward the tunnel as United fans applauded.

Manchester City beat Manchester United 6-5 at Old Trafford, taking top spot despite Zhang Kuang’s hat trick and two assists. Manchester United recovered with four straight wins, and Zhang Kuang’s next challenge was the World Cup qualifying match between China and China Hong Kong.

• Zhang Kuang accepted responsibility for Manchester United’s defensive problems after the derby, while Ferguson praised his performance and Mancini celebrated Manchester City going top.
• The ninth-round standings placed Manchester City first and Manchester United second, while Zhang Kuang led the scoring chart with 24 goals.
• Manchester United beat Aldershot 3-0 in the League Cup, Everton 4-0, Oțelul Galați 4-0, and Sunderland 3-0 as Ferguson adjusted the defense.
• Zhang Kuang scored eight goals across those four matches, including hat tricks against Everton and Sunderland, and Manchester United kept four consecutive clean sheets.
• The international break began, with China scheduled to face China Hong Kong in the fourth round of the Asian World Cup qualifying group stage.