And as every representative of the six team drew their lott, some players who were anxious a moment ago heaved a sigh of relief while few players displayed intense worry on their faces.
While those same players were rejoicing their luck for getting chosen in the team of best U-17 player a moment ago, now those same players were cursing their luck.
Their faces as plae as white paper, as if the sky had fallen upon them, they looked quite devastated.
“Thank god we didn’t drew them.”
That was the thought which first appeared in the mind of few players as they witnessed the result of the draw.
“How can your luck be so rotten.” Cried out Shun as he got to know about the opponents which they’ll be facing.
The conclusion of the draw was- team 2 vs team 4, team 3 vs team 5 and team 1 vs National U-23 team.
“Now then shall we proceed with the match. Team 2 and team 4 follow the staff members to another pitch, team 3 and 5 also do the same. And team 1 and national U-23 team, please get ready for your match. You all have 10 minutes to strategise.” Kazan spoke after the conclusion of the draw.
There was a subtle smile on his face as he spoke those words. As if he was happy about the results of the draw, his face looked a lot brighter than a moment ago.
Despite drawing out the worst possible opponent, Hiro wasn’t a bit bothered. Infact his reaction was quite contrary to his teammates who were blaming their luck.
And although his face looked calm from the outside, he was actually quite happy and motivated from the inside. .
Even so, he couldn’t express his inner feelings outside. Afterall if he laughed and rejoiced at that moment when all his teammates were sulking their head and acting dispirited, it would have made him look like a madman.
And by no means, he wanted to look like a madman. Afterall he was already considered an odd fellow because of his insane talents. Thus to add another name tag would have been quite bothersome.
“Although I pity you. I also feel quite relieved that we didn’t draw the national U-23 team.” Spoke Akutsu while he prepared to leave the pitch.
That wasn’t something one’s supposed to say after meeting with someone familiar after such a long time.
Even so Hiro didn’t mind his words. Afterall he wasn’t close with Akutsu in the first place. So he wasn’t expecting any warm words from Akutsu.
With his lips tightly shut, Hiro stood at his place without replying anything. His face showed no reaction and he only tilted his head slightly, indifferently looking at Akutsu.
Upon looking at Hiro’s indifferent expression, Akutsu felt a little weird. He couldn’t tell whether Hiro was extremely nervous about the situation that he couldn’t even react or was simply unbothered by the situation.
A sudden burst of curiosity rose in him as he tried to analyse Hiro’s reaction. And just as he was about to speak something, Hiro interjected him, “Don’t you have to leave?”
Hearing Hiro’s question, Akutsu tucked his doubts within him as he left in a hurry.
After that Hiro too walked towards his teammates. Being the leader of his team, he had to do something about the morale of the team which was at rock bottom currently.
But even so, Hiro wasn’t a smooth talker. Afterall it was also his first time being stuck in such a situation where almost every single one of his teammates had already admitted defeat inside their head even before the start of the match.
As there is a saying, “If you admit defeat even before the start of the game then by default you’ve already lost the game.”
But by no means, Hiro was going to accept that fact. And by no means, he was going to play a lousy match.
He was prepared to give his best. He was determined to win the match. It didn’t matter to him whether his opponents were National U-23 team or even the National men’s team.
Regardless of the opponent, he won’t admit defeat even before the start of the match.
Slightly clearing his throat, Hiro then first asked his teammates to gather around him. And as everybody gathered around him, he spoke, “I know that many of you are terrified. And I know that many of you think that it’s impossible to win against them.”
His words as calm as lake water, he blatantly pointed out their fears and doubts calmly.
“But just like us they are human as well. What they can do, we can do as well. And even if we were to lose the game, I’d prefer to lose without any regrets.”
‘Easy for you to say’ few players scoffed inside their head as they heard Hiro’s words.
“But does any of you remember about the 2003/2004 champions league?” Asked Hiro as he swept his gaze across the players gathered around him.
One of the player raised his hand as he spoke meekly, “Yes… I do. But what about the champions league?”
Coupled with the stupefied look on his face, his tone clearly reflected his confusion.
“Then do you remember about the winner of the Champions League that year?”
“Isn’t… Isn’t it Porto?”
Just as Hiro heard the reply of the player, his eyes lit up as his voice deepened, “That’s right. Porto was the winner that year. Even with their aging players, even when every odd was against them, despite being the underdog, despite playing against the giants of champions league like Real Madrid, Liverpool, AC Milan and more, they won the champions league.”
“And do you think they won the champions league with attitude such as ours? Do all of you think that they’d have won the Champions League, if they’d have admitted defeat even before the starting of the tournament?”
And while Hiro was asking such questions to his teammates, nobody dared to answer until Shun and Yutaka took the initiative.
“No!! They would have lost the moment they would have taken their hands off the table.” Spoke Shun with a confident look on his face.
“Yeah!! As there’s a saying by Jose Mourinho the winning manager who guided that team of Porto to victory- loser’s complain, winner’s train.” Yutaka added
Upon hearing the quote mentioned by Yutaka, Hiro felt even more motivated. The spark in his eyes now grew uncontrollably into a raging falme as he repeated the quote said by Mourinho, “That’s right everybody. Losers complain, winner’s train.”
Hearing Hiro’s energetic roar, almost every player repeated after him as their fears amd worries faded away, “‘Losers complain, winner’s train”
This content is taken from 𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ