There was a knowing smile on Emily's face as she heard her mom choose Kan to start. Kan, too, was pleased, especially given the competition on the bench.
"Now, go! You know what to do. Show them what we're made of!" Coach Nami encouraged them with a clap as they walked out onto the pitch.
As Kan and his teammates stepped onto the pitch, they were greeted by a sea of enthusiastic fans, their cheers echoing throughout the stadium.
The excitement in the air was palpable as the crowd erupted in support for Ebony FC.
In a surprising display of sportsmanship, the opponents, Dream FC walked alongside them to the center of the pitch.
The cheers from the fans continued, creating an electric atmosphere. The camaraderie between the two teams was a refreshing sight, setting a positive tone for the upcoming match.
The referee performed the customary coin toss to determine the team that would kick off first. Dream FC, Kan's opponents, won the toss and would initiate the match, with Kan's team getting the second half.
Both teams lined up, exchanging nods and brief words before taking their respective positions.
The crowd's cheers reached a crescendo, and the energy on the pitch was charged with anticipation as the referee prepared to kick off the game.
Coach Nami observed the pitch attentively, analyzing the opposing players for any potential threats her team needed to keep an eye on. The first half posed a challenge since she hadn't seen Dream FC play before.
Before the game began, Coach Nami remained seated, focusing on the unfolding match.
Evelyn's taunting voice pierced through the cheering fans, directed at Emily.
Positioned near the sideline, Emily maintained her composure, choosing not to respond to Evelyn's attempts to destabilize her.
The moment the referee blew the whistle, the crowd erupted into a louder cheer, marking the start of what promised to be an intense and competitive match.
The opponents skillfully passed the ball among themselves within their own half after the referee's whistle signaled the start.
Ebony FC, including Kan and his teammates, aggressively pursued the ball in an attempt to gain possession.
Dream FC's players showcased impressive speed, and their precise passes continued within their half despite Ebony FC's efforts to intercept.
Unbeknownst to Ebony FC, their opponents were strategically drawing them out of their own half to exploit potential vulnerabilities and launch an attack.
While Kan and his teammates fervently chased the ball, one of Dream FC's strikers identified a free running spot created by Ebony FC's defender in their pursuit of possession.
The midfielder with the ball recognized this opportunity and skillfully kicked it to the forward.
Before the defender could regroup and chase him, the forward's remarkable speed left the defender unable to catch up.
The forward skillfully maneuvered the ball across the pitch until he reached Ebony FC's goalpost.
With a thunderous strike, he kicked the ball towards the post.
Fortunately, Kan's goalkeeper showcased his skills as he skillfully punched the ball out for a corner kick.
The corner was quickly taken, and Ebony FC's defender headed the ball out of their yard, landing precisely at Emily's feet.
Seizing the opportunity, Emily swiftly turned and initiated a counter-attack, exploiting the fact that most of Dream FC's players were still in their own yard.
With Kan sprinting ahead, she passed the ball to him before the defenders could catch up.
As Kan faced a defender and the opposing team's goalkeeper, he recognized the chance of a block.
However, Alfred, positioned to the side, was in a prime spot to receive Kan's pass and score. Kan skillfully paused the ball with the side of his foot, creating a window for Alfred to approach and make a precise kick.
Alfred took the shot, and though the goalkeeper proved to be formidable by punching the ball out for a corner kick, the strategic play demonstrated Ebony FC's coordinated efforts on the field.
As Emily approached to take the corner kick, she heard Evelyn's voice from afar shouting, "No accuracy at all, man! Outta bounds! Outta bounds! That ball's making a break for it!"
The taunt was intended to rattle Emily, and it worked.
Emily kicked the ball wide, and the opponent's defender easily cleared it.
Fortunately, Kan was strategically positioned outside the box, anticipating such an opportunity.
He rushed to the ball and thunderously kicked it back toward the opposing side's goal post.
The ball, however, accidentally hit a player, deflecting slightly, but it still found the woodwork before going out for a goal kick.
This pattern continued until the final minutes of the first half when an Ebony FC defender inadvertently fouled an opponent, resulting in a penalty kick that allowed the opposing team to take the lead.
Kan and his teammates walked back to the dressing room, where Coach Nami awaited them.
"You're all doing well," she encouraged them before making adjustments.
"I've noticed the opponents have fast players. Short-range passes won't work on them. Long passes will be more effective, so I'm improvising. Kan, you'll be playing the role of attacking midfielder, alongside Emily."
Alfred and Wick will be the two forwards now, and the rest will remain the same except for you," she said, pointing at the other two midfielders.
"You will be playing the role of defensive midfielders, savvy?" She announced.
"Yes!" The players replied.
"I will see if there's anyone I can change after the start of the second half," she said before dismissing the players.
"It's me and you for the first time. I love how Mom thinks. We will be perfect together!" Emily teased Kan before playfully bumping into him with her shoulder.
Both teams lined up for the start of the second half.
The ball was with Ebony FC's players as they were set to set the ball in motion. Kan trapped the ball, waiting for the referee to blow his whistle.
Wick went to Kan and whispered in his ear, "Let me try something out. Just pass the ball gently to me after the referee blows his whistle."
Kan nodded, despite not knowing what Wick had in mind. They waited anxiously as the referee placed the whistle in his mouth and blew it.
"Now!"
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