It had only been 7 minutes since the start of the match but Maebashi Ikuei HS were already down by one goal.
After opening the scoresheet by scoring a beautiful goal at 7 minutes and 36 seconds from outside the box, Hiro began to run towards the left corner to celebrate the goal with Kenta. 𝒍𝓲𝓫𝒓𝒆𝒂.𝙘𝙤𝒎
“Nice assist.” Pointing his index finger at Kenta, Hiro mumbled with a big wide grin on his face, while running towards Kenta.
Following Hiro, all of his teammates present in the middle third and attacking third began to chase after Hiro to celebrate the goal.
[Takahashi Hiro, remember the name. Not only has he set the record for being the youngest player to play in Premier League, but now he has also set a new record by becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of premier league.]
While Hiro and his teammates were celebrating Hiro’s goal, the commentator kept on making sweat comments about Hiro in his cheerful tone.
“Don’t mind guys. Don’t mind. It’s only been 7 minutes. We still have a lot of time left. So let’s just do our best.” Naoya the team captain of Maebashi Ikuei HS, tried to cheer his teammates.
After some moments of celebration, everybody then returned back to their original position to continue the match.
And as everybody positioned themselves in their respective positions, the referee blew his whistle.
Beep!!!
The game then continued with the kickoff of opposing team.
Casually passing the ball between themselves, Maebashi’s players tried to go on offense.
As calm as the sea, Kawasaki’s player were in no rush to snatch the ball. Maintaining their positions, Kawasaki’s player kept on pressuring the opponents without leaving their position.
At 13th minute of the match, Yota sent a long ball towards Seitaro, the right winger of Maebashi Ikuei HS.
[Impressive pass by Yota. But will Seitaro be able to make use of that pass? Minato the left back of Kawasaki Frontale is also rushing towards the ball.]
Noticing the ball which was flying towards his direction, Minato the left back of Kawasaki Frontale left his position to defend the long ball aimed at Seitaro.
The ball was falling right between the two of them and it was only a matter of pace.
Battling for the ball, both of them reached the ball at the same time. And since the ball was still in the mid-air, both of them jumped almost at the same time.
However Seitaro was no match to physically strong Minato. Clashing against Minato, Seitaro fell down before he could touch the ball. On the other hand, Minato who was still levitating on the air, headed the ball away and successfully managed to defend the incoming ball.
That’s what Minato thought, however the referee was thinking something else.
[Great defending by Minato. His physicality is no joke. But Seitaro doesn’t look fine.]
Seeing the sight of Seitaro, lying in the ground, moaning in pain, referee awarded Maebashi Ikuei HS freekick for Minato’s foul on Seitaro.
Beep!!!
[What’s this?? The referee has awarded freekick to Maebashi Ikuei HS??] Even the commentator couldn’t believe the decision made by the referee.
His eyes wide open, Minato rushed towards the referee, to complain about that unfair foul awarded against him, “How’s that foul ref?? He simply fell down on his own by crashing against me.”
Following Minato, other players from his team, present close to him rushed towards his side to support him.
They then began to plead to referee, “He simply crashed against him.”
“It shouldn’t be a foul ref.”
The referee however remained adamant. He wasn’t willing to change his decision, no matter what.
Faced with the referee’s unwillingness to change his decision, rage started boiling inside Minato like burning tar. Minato was extremely unsatisfied with referee’s decision.
[Only 13 minutes has passed and the situation around the pitch has already turned chaotic. It’s totally understandable for Kawasaki’s players to voice their unsatisfaction with the referee’s decision. However if this continues, then the referee will be forced to bring out his cards.]
And as time progressed, the situation was getting out of hands. Maebashi’s players were gaslighting the referee to bring out his cards.
Noticing the situation getting out of hands, Hiro rushed towards his teammates. Grabbing Minato’s t-shirt, Hiro dragged Minato out of the crowd and spoke, “Let it be. And stop arguing with the referee. I know it’s not fair. But we can’t challenge the authority of referee. Referee’s decision is absolute. So suck it up and stop arguing.”
“But I haven’t committed any fo-“
As Minato was about argue, Hiro interjected, “I know!! I know that you haven’t committed any foul. But do you want to get sent off?” “Look!! The referee is on the verge of taking out his cards.” Continued Hiro while pointing at the referee.
Turning his attention towards the referee, Minato noticed that the referee was reaching his hands inside his pocket.
Witnessing the sight of referee stretching his hands inside his pocket, Minato finally dropped his anger and quieted down.
After that, Hiro convinced his other teammates and apologized to the referee for causing a ruckus, “Sorry ref!!”
“Since you’re apologizing. I’m letting off your teammates with a single warning. But if they again question my decision, then I won’t hold back myself.” The referee warned as he slipped the cards back in his pocket.
And thus, Hiro’s apology prevented the referee from taking out his cards.
[Look at that sight. The youngest player in the field is acting rationally and convincing his seniors. His age might be low but his maturity isn’t. Not only is he a skilled footballer, he also has a tremendous potential to become the leader.] Singing praises of Hiro, the commentator commented.
After witnessing Hiro’s attitude, players of Maebashi quickly realised who the main threat was from Kawasaki Frontale. The player that they had to watch out the most wasn’t Tatsuki or Kenta, but rather it was Hiro, somebody who was totally out of their expectation until then.
“Mark him tightly. We shouldn’t allow him to roam around the pitch freely.” Naoya whispered in Yato’s s ear while pointing at Hiro.