While Tsubasa was frozen at his place, furiously glaring at Shun, Shun threw the ball towards Minato to continue the game.
“Tsubasa fall back” Ryunosuke yelled as he began to fall back.
Only after hearing Ryunosuke’s voice did Tsubasa came back to his senses.
Hearing Ryunosuke’s faint voice, Tsubasa clicked his tongue and shrugged his shoulder and began to fall back.
After that counter attack from FC Tokyo, the game progressed rather intensely. With both teams pressing hard, both of the team struggled to register a goal in the second half.
Until the 87th minute of the match, the game was neck to neck. With neither side backing down, it seemed like the game was going to end with the score of 2:0.
At 60th minute of the game, FC Tokyo made use of their first substitution. And at 64th minute of the match Kawasaki too substituted Takeshi Ogawa for Yutaro Onda.
And again in 75th minute of the game, manager Makoto used another of his substitution by substituting Tatsuki for the newcomer Renji Igarashi.
Beep!!
[Good save by Kobayashi. Until now both the teams have failed to score any goals in the second half. But will this corner kick change the situation?]
At 87th minute of the match, Hiro’s team was awarded a corner kick after Kobayashi made an impressive save by saving the shot made by Renji from outside the box.
“You want to take the corner kick?” Walking towards Hiro, Renji asked.
After witnessing Hiro’s skills firsthand, Renji’s pride and ego had shunken to some extent. Before meeting Hiro, he had considered himself a prodigy. However after witnessing Hiro’s skills firsthand, his pride and ego had taken a major hit.
And at that moment he realised that either he’d have to adapt to survive or else he’d get devoured by his own ego.
Although nobody could tell the outcome of later option, he chose the former to move forward while learning from the best.
Shaking his head, Hiro replied, “No. Let Akihiro take the corner.”
“What do you think about my suggestion senior Kenta?” Asked Hiro while looking at Kenta.
After the departure of Tomoyasu, the captain armband was handed to Tatsuki. Similarly after Tatsuki was substituted at the 75th minute, the captain armband was again handed to Kenta.
His jersey soaked in sweat, while stretching his t-shirt, Kenta was blowing air in his chest from his mouth to cool himself to some extent.
And just as he heard Hiro’s suggestion, he stopped his act and turned his head towards Hiro. Turning his head towards Hiro, Kenta nodded his head while making a ‘ok’ gesture.
“Then that concludes the decision.” Mumbling such, Hiro shifted his gaze behind him to look for Akihiro.
Taking advantage of the momentary stoppage, Akihiro was inhaling and exhaling deep breaths to stabilise his heartbeat.
“Akihiro” Shouted Hiro after finding him.
Hearing his name, Akihiro lifted his head and began to look around him. Turning his head left and right, he found Hiro waving his hand, gesturing him to come over while calling his name.
Without wasting any time, Akihiro then rushed towards them.
“Yes Hiro” Answered Akihiro after reaching close to them.
“We want you to take the corner kick.” Without beating around the bush, Hiro revealed.
With his pupils enlarged, Akihiro perplexingly stared at Hiro. His heart throbbing, for few seconds, he continued to stare at Hiro without replying anything.
“Are you sure? Like…. I’ve never….. taken any set-piece before.” Momentarily pausing in between while replying, Akihiro replied.
“Don’t worry. I’ve seen your crosses. It’ll be alright.” With a smile on his face, Hiro put his hands atop Akihiro’s shoulder and assured him.
Locking eyes with Hiro, Akihiro’s doubt started to fade away and a feeling of warmth embraced him.
Akihiro then looked towards his right where Renji was standing. And as he looked at him, he found him nodding his head with a smile on his face.
With a newfound motivation, Akihiro then answered, “Leave it to me. I’ll make sure to deliver a good assist.”
Hearing Akihiro’s confident response, Hiro and Renji, both of them chuckled.
Accompanied by Hiro, Akihiro then began to walk towards the corner flag to take the corner kick.
While on their way, Hiro whispered, “Don’t cross the ball inside the penalty box. Instead cross the ball towards the penalty arc. However make it look like it’s heading towards the penalty box.”
Hearing Hiro’s words, once again Akihiro’s eyes widened in shock.
“Will it be alright?” Hesitantly asked Akihiro after hearing Hiro’s impulsive strategy.
Afterall the probability of scoring was more inside the penalty box than outside the box. Thus, Akihiro couldn’t understand why Hiro was suggesting such reckless strategy.
“Don’t worry, trust in me. I’ll fill you with details later.” Answered Hiro with a solemn expression on his face.
Although Akihiro was still confused by Hiro’s suggested strategy. Even so Akihiro reluctantly accepted Hiro’s request.
After that Akihiro left towards the corner flag and Hiro rushed back to the penalty box.
‘Since it might be the last set-piece of the match, I’m sure that almost every player of FC Tokyo will get clustered inside the box which inturn will decrease our chance to score. So right now thinking outside the box is our best option to score.’ Thought Hiro while looking at the direction of Akihiro.
Akihiro then prepared himself to take the corner kick. Taking a final glance at the players infront of him, Akihiro rushed towards the ball.
Akihiro then did as he was instructed by Hiro. While kicking the ball towards the penalty box, he added a spin on the ball.
Everybody inside the box were anticipating for the ball. Pushing each other, every player inside the box were desperate to get a touch on the ball.
Sweaty bodies of players colliding with each other, everybody’s eyes were focused on the ball.
And for a while it seemed like the ball was heading towards their direction. However only one player was performing quite opposite to the rest.
Instead of making his run inwards, he was running outwards. Completely engrossed in the battle for the ball, nobody noticed him.
Because of the spin on the ball, the ball curved and headed towards the edge of the penalty box. 𝑙𝘪𝓇𝑎.𝘤𝑜𝑚
And before anybody could even notice the spin on the ball, it was already late.
Jumping up from the ground, Hiro leaped upwards. Extending his leg in mid-air, Hiro kicked the ball, inturn performing a bicycle kick. Completely unobstructed, the ball flew towards the post.
Thud!!
Hiro landed on his back after hitting the ball.
[Goaaaaallllllll!!!!]
“‘Goaaaaalllllllll!!!!”‘
Rising from their seats, fans of Kawasaki began to celebrate Hiro’s goal.