So Triguera began making substitutions.
Matisse came on for Kai (formerly Wu Xudong) and moved to the left.
Hao Junmin, who naturally plays on the right, shifted into Kai's previous position.
The idea behind this substitution was simple—Hao Junmin and Kai have completely different styles, which would give the defenders a new kind of headache.
Similarly, the big striker Paixão came on to replace Yu Shihao. The two forwards also have very different playing styles.
This kind of substitution often works like medicine.
During the 2022 World Cup, substitutions frequently led directly to goals—either scored or conceded. Their impact was immediate and obvious.
It's actually similar to changing a head coach.
Sometimes a team gets stuck—trapped in bad habits or negative emotions. No matter how they play, nothing works.
But change the coach, even without altering tactics, and suddenly the team looks reborn.
Why?
Simple—new air.
New coach, new atmosphere.
Of course, if the root problems aren't solved, those same issues will come back once the "freshness" wears off.
So during a match, when you hit a deadlock, changing players can help reset the rhythm.
But running a club isn't that simple.
You can't just keep swapping coaches like socks. You have to fix the fundamentals.
Lazy players need discipline.
Players with poor decision-making need to learn how to think.
Shoot-happy players need to pass more.
Selfish players need to stop playing like they're the only ones on the pitch.
And if they can't improve?
Sell them. Quickly.
Don't cling to "potential" like it's some holy treasure.
Not everyone becomes a superstar.
If you don't have top-tier talent, chances are you won't magically transform after turning pro.
And for young players who aren't developing?
Staying in one place forever is just suicide.
If it's not working—leave.
A tree dies when it's moved.
A person survives.
Very few players have smooth careers.
80th minute.
Sporting CP's substitutions paid off…
—for the wrong team.
They conceded.
Hao Junmin, fresh on the pitch, didn't have Kai's defensive coverage. When he and Duarte switched zones, a gap appeared—and the opponent exploited it perfectly.
85th minute.
Hao Junmin made up for it.
He used his technique to beat a defender and whipped in a cross.
This was completely different from Kai's style—less explosive, but far more precise.
And honestly?
The quality of his crosses was several levels higher.
Kai: Why you gotta expose me like that?
Paixão rose high—
BOOM!
Header!
A dominant aerial goal that Yu Shihao could probably never pull off in his life.
Yu Shihao: Oh really? Looking down on us short kings now? Brother Kai, back me up!
90th minute.
Same move again.
Hao Junmin delivered another dangerous cross.
This time, Paixão was dragged down in the box—elbow to the face during the tussle.
Penalty!
Kai stepped up.
Calm.
Precise.
Goal.
6–1!
Sporting CP walked away with a crushing victory and three valuable points.
And this was against one of the strongest teams in the region.
For a while, no one dared to underestimate Sporting CP U17 anymore.
Even Bola had to admit:
"After losing Cristiano Ronaldo, Sporting CP U17 took nearly a month to adapt."
"Head coach Triguera has done an excellent job. His tactics fully utilize the strengths of the current squad…"
Of course, they praised Triguera non-stop—
And conveniently avoided mentioning Kai even once.
But Triguera himself said in an interview:
"I didn't actually change much. Most of what you're seeing… was done by Kai."
"I admire him. A true midfield general must understand tactics, player selection, and how to combine individual strengths."
"And the best midfielders often become great coaches."
"Kai has already proven that."
Kai responded modestly:
"Many great midfielders become top coaches—like Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola. Give them less than ten years, and they'll be among the best."
"But I'm still far from that. I'm not even a truly great midfielder yet—I still have a lot to improve."
"This team's success belongs to everyone."
"Yu Shihao drops deep and creates danger, Kai covers the entire right flank, Hao Junmin helps organize and delivers killer passes, Paixão is our irreplaceable target man…"
"Veloso and Tavares stabilize the midfield, Shao Jiawei and Angelo hold the back line…"
Kai kept praising his teammates—
Completely ignoring the reporter's increasingly impatient expression.
Only after Kai left did the reporter remember—
He originally wanted to ask about Hathaway.
Damn it.
October 26th.
Sporting CP faced Belenenses away.
Kai scored twice, assisted by Kai (Wu Xudong), while Yu Shihao netted the winner.
Final score: 3–2.
November 3rd.
Home match against Desportivo.
Kai delivered a goal and two assists.
Yu Shihao scored a brace.
Shao Jiawei headed in another goal.
Hao Junmin added two assists.
4–2. Another win.
November 9th.
Another home game—this time against SC Braga.
A strong side.
Earlier in the season, Cristiano Ronaldo had suffered his cardiac incident against them.
Without Ronaldo, Braga expected an easy win.
Instead—
Kai went nuclear.
Two goals. Two assists. Involved in everything.
Kai and Veloso scored.
Yu Shihao added an assist.
4–2.
Total domination.
After three straight losses, Sporting CP now surged back with a winning streak—
Climbing back to second place in the standings.
Qualification for the next stage? Almost guaranteed.
After the Braga match, Kai headed straight to the airport.
He would miss several days of training.
Triguera approved his leave without hesitation.
Honestly—even playing at U17 felt like a waste of Kai's talent.
At 1.65 meters, he was already ready to compete against full-grown professionals.
So…
Where was Kai going?
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