Deng Kai took the corner, but unfortunately the opponent got to the first ball, and it was cleared out of the penalty area.
Moreirense's left midfielder Emerson controlled it. He wanted to organize another attack, but the opponent's press was too aggressive, so he could only pass it back.
In fact, if it were Kai, he would've just whipped the ball straight back into the box—because the opponent clearly had defensive gaps while pushing forward.
But just because Kai can pull that off doesn't mean Emerson can.
The left-back Serafim received the ball, and Kai moved into space, dropping back to collect it.
After receiving the ball on the left half-space, Kai carried it laterally, scanning for an opportunity.
Ference had clearly studied Kai. They knew his passing was dangerous, so instead of pressing him, they dropped back into their defensive line, preparing to block any sudden through ball.
This "honest" defending wasn't unique to Moreirense's opponents.
Weaker teams often assume a pass is coming, so they retreat early instead of pressing—skipping the hard work and going straight for the result. Ironically, that just gives players like Kai more time and space to cook.
If they had pressed him, Kai would've been forced into a meaningless back pass.
But since they didn't…
He had time.
"Over here! Over here!" Kai stretched out his left hand, pointing toward the left side of the penalty area, signaling Anderson to move there.
Anderson made the run immediately, dragging a center-back with him and pulling attention.
Then—
While still talking to Anderson, Kai suddenly swung his right foot and sent the ball flying to the right side of the box.
After the corner, right-back Alex had stayed high. Now he burst forward—completely unmarked at the back post—and hit a low shot first time.
Clean. Simple. Deadly.
The ball hit the net.
One–zero!
Moreirense scored first for the second game in a row.
"Oh! Ference made a huge mistake—they gave Kai way too much time on the ball!"
"Even if the chemistry isn't perfect yet, give him time and he'll slice your defense open like butter!"
"Look at how long Ference just stood there watching him!"
"But here's the problem—taking the lead isn't always good news for Moreirense. This season, when they score first, they only hold on to win in less than 30% of those games!"
"They clearly struggle when they're ahead!"
And sure enough…
Moreirense immediately slipped back into their bad habit.
The whole team started dropping deep again.
"Step up! Don't let them come out freely! Show some intensity! Don't just sit back!" Triguera shouted from the sidelines.
Kai also gestured to his teammates—motioning backward, then immediately signaling forward.
Meaning: yes, drop back—but once they cross midfield, press the hell out of them.
This is actually similar to how teams like Real Madrid operate in later years.
Possession teams lure you out. Counterattacking teams invite pressure.
Different styles—same trap.
And it worked.
As Moreirense began pressing, Ference didn't get the attacking rhythm they expected. Their shot count didn't increase.
Meanwhile, Moreirense created two decent counterattacks.
One was wasted by Ronaldo.
The other saw Flavio completely mess up a chance, handing the ball straight to the goalkeeper.
Then, in the 72nd minute—
Boom. Problem.
A lack of coordination finally punished them.
Macedo stepped out to press the opponent's midfielder.
Kirop had been covering Alex, so suddenly, the top of the penalty arc was wide open.
Ference pushed forward, and their midfielder unleashed a long-range shot from that space.
Perfect hit.
Worldie.
One–one.
In the 78th minute, things got even worse.
Emerson collided with an opponent and went down hard, unable to continue.
Triguera replaced him with Cordeiro.
Now the midfield had two defensive midfielders plus Kai.
Translation?
Technical quality dropped hard.
If Kai pushed forward, the team would split in half.
So he had to stay deeper.
Moreirense's attack weakened further, and Ference started piling on pressure.
The game dragged into the 89th minute.
Cordeiro made a crucial interception.
Ference had just attempted a through ball—if it got through, their striker would've been one-on-one.
But Cordeiro isn't Emerson.
Emerson claims to attack and defend.
Cordeiro actually defends.
Boom!
Kai immediately played a through ball to Anderson.
Three-on-four situation in the final third!
With the full-backs out of position, it was basically a three-on-two.
Boom!
Anderson passed it.
Kai almost stopped running right there.
Because he knew—
It was over.
Anderson released the ball way too early.
Without drawing defenders, that pass basically turned a 3v2 into a 2v2.
Worse, the pass itself was garbage.
No wonder he can't play as a proper pivot—his vision and passing are just not it.
He's a battering ram. Nothing more.
The ball went to Ronaldo.
Ronaldo accelerated, but the defender had the better position.
Ronaldo got a touch—
—and got smashed to the ground immediately.
Whistle.
Free kick to Moreirense in a great position.
But honestly?
That should've been a guaranteed goal.
Anderson wasted an 80% chance. No wonder he's stuck at this level.
Portuguese Liga players: So Kai carries you and you still play like this? Damn.
With Emerson off, the team's main free-kick taker was gone.
Ronaldo and Kai stood over the ball.
"Come here—my foot's not feeling great," Cristiano Ronaldo said, moving in to cover.
Ference set up their wall.
Whistle.
Ronaldo ran up—
—and ran straight past the ball.
The wall didn't move.
Ference made the correct read: Kai was the real taker.
Boom!
Kai struck the ball cleanly.
The wall still didn't jump.
Because according to their scouting, Kai's shots stayed low and didn't have much curve.
So they bet he'd keep it on the ground again.
…big mistake.
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