Chapter 606: Tough Match
While Hiro and his teammates were celebrating the goal, the LED screen displayed the replay of the goal.
Immediately after the game started, an individual could be seen rushing ahead at an
incredible speed. Clad in blue, he had the number 7 imprinted on his back.
At the same time, another individual clad in blue with the number 10 on his back also rushed ahead.
They were Tatsuki and Hiro.
The opposing players appeared mostly relaxed. They had the ball but they weren't in any rush to advance.
One of their midfielders held the ball and, was searching for his teammate to pass. However, right then, an individual clad in blue with the number 7 on his back approached him.
At that moment, the opposing midfielder panicked.
So, he hurriedly passed the ball back without taking notice of the other individual who was already rushing in the direction he was about to pass.
The pass fell short and Hiro took full advantage of the pass.
But the opposing defender somehow managed to stand in the way.
However, Hiro without pausing shot the ball from outside the box, between the legs of the defender standing before him.
The ball soared unhindered, straight into the post.
Looking at the screen, the opposing manager couldn't help but contort his face in annoyance.
'We can't afford to be careless.' He thought furrowing his brow.
The goal they had conceded recently was enough to tell him that they couldn't afford to be careless if they didn't want to get humiliated.
Winning the game didn't even cross his mind.
After watching the replay, he turned to look at Haruki. Glancing at the solemn figure of Haruki, he couldn't help but feel intimidated, 'Just what kind of monster has he bred?'
He had a foreboding feeling that it wouldn't be the last time he'd witness such intense pressure from the opposing team.
So, he immediately got to work.
From the sidelines, he began to shout commands at his players.
"Minato, drop back and pay attention to your surroundings."
"Hiroki, don't spread your leg wide."
"Inukai, remember what we've talked about."
The opposing manager's shouting command so early in the game didn't go unnoticed as the commentators couldn't help but comment about the situation, "Manager Ihara doesn't have it easy, does he? Perhaps, he's seeing something that others couldn't."
"Well, they need to be careful if they don't want to concede more goals."
After the celebration ended, the game continued.
But after that goal, the air around the opposing squad had entirely changed.
As predicted by Ihara, the opposing manager, the match did get even more intense. The
pressure from Kawasaki was getting more and more intense.
Fortunately, after ten minutes since they conceded the last goal, their forward Mao created an opportunity to level the score.
Leaving his pursuers behind, he charged forward.
Seeing the sudden change, Ihara's heart pounded with joy. With a seemingly exhilarated expression, he fixedly followed Mao.
It was the first chance they had created since the match started.
So, he was naturally excited for the opportunity.
With only two opposing defenders before him, Mao who was athletically built had the perfect opportunity to score.
Manager Ihara, aware of Mao's breakthrough abilities, couldn't contain his excitement. He recognized that Mao was the kind of player who thrived in such situations.
Steadily, Mao approached the opposing defenders.
Then with a burst of speed, he tried to break free from the clutches of the defenders before him. But right then, he noticed something unusual.
Mao wasn't actually facing two defenders but he was against three. He was trapped.
"Wait... When did he get back?" feeling confused, Ihara gasped.
Marcinho, the Brazilian midfielder had already caught up to Mao.
"Aren't they afraid of depleting their reserve?" Ihara couldn't help but feel frustrated.
From the beginning, they had been maintaining high pressure as if they had an unlimited reservoir of energy.
In the previous season, they weren't this intense. So, how could they alter their playstyle completely despite playing under the same manager?
He alarmingly glared at Manager Haruki who was calmly seated in his seat. Even though they were under threat, he didn't even look bothered.
It was almost as if he wasn't even feeling threatened.
Ihara found it extremely hard to comprehend Haruki. Pursing his lips, he squeezed some words out of his mouth, "You arrogant fox...."
Suddenly, he heard a collective gasp from the spectators.
Hearing the gasp, he turned around to look at the field. But at that moment, he found that Mao had already lost possession of the ball.
Marcinho, the Brazilian midfielder was steadily advancing with the ball. The situation had completely reversed and now they were under threat.
The sudden change in the scenario made his heart palpitate and he couldn't help but feel
alarmed.
"Fall back!"
Ihara shouted, his voice barely audible.
The entire stadium was getting heated and the chants of the fans were growing incessantly
loud.
While under pressure, the players didn't have the luxury to hear the warning of the people from the sidelines. They had to focus their whole attention on the field and they couldn't afford even a moment of negligence.
Hence, focusing their entire attention on the field, they retreated steadily while some of their teammates tried to intercept the advancing midfielder.
Marcinho danced around the field, displaying his Brazilian flair. Then after passing some of
the opposing players, he struck the ball hard.
The ball soared above the heads of the opposing players and fell precisely in the direction
Hiro was running.
Hiro, however, didn't pause to trap the ball.
Continuing with his run, he advanced. One of the opposing defenders tried to foul him. After
all, even if he fouled him there, they wouldn't give away a penalty.
So, he made a desperate attempt to stop Hiro, clinging to his jersey.
Rather than being slowed down, Hiro twisted his body and performed an acrobatic move. By
doing so, he not only got rid of the defender who was trying to bring him down, but he also delivered a cross to Tatsuki who was advancing alongside him.
"Goal!"
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