As the ball went out of bounds. With only 9 minutes and additional time remaining, the opponent team decided to make player changes.
“So he’s finally coming in!” Hiro mumbled as he witnessed the sight of the player who was stretching his legs in the sidelines.
[Player change for Tokyo elementary school. Number 22 out Number 2 in.]
[Looks like Ishiki Soba is getting substituted for Nagasaki Akutsu. The star player of Tokyo elementary school also famously known as ‘Viper’ has finally decided to step inside the pitch. He had played only a single match in this tournament this time around because of a injury he suffered during training.]
Nagasaki Akutsu, a 5 feet 4 inches tall, 13 year old centre back of Tokyo elementary school was stretching his body in sidelines.
Spiky straight black hair, elongated narrow monolid eyes with small dark pupil and a muscular lean body, Nagasaki Akutsu was radiating an ominous aura around him.
“Best of luck Akutsu san.” Ishiki Soba exclaimed as he substituted for Nagasaki Akutsu.
He was the player who had costed them national championships during their previous face-off. The sole reason why they struggled to score goal against Tokyo elementary school in their previous face-off was all because of Akutsu.
In his first year if it weren’t for Akutsu then he would have already registered a national champion medal under his name.
As soon as he stepped on the field, he ran towards Hiro and began to mark him. The sole reason he was stepping on the field was to neutralise Hiro.
With Nanahosi Rin as the set piece taker, the players of Ookami elementary school gathered inside the defensive half of Tokyo elementary school for the corner kick.
Nanahosi Rin played a short ball towards Sasaki who was standing a certain distance away from him. With the ball in his feet, Sasaki began to weigh his options.
A high ball would have been easily cleared by Akutsu. Since Akutsu was the tallest player in the field, he couldn’t recklessly cross the ball inside the penalty box.
Unable to cross the ball inside the penalty box, he began to look for other options. Everybody were being heavily marked.
Even Hiro was being tightly marked by Akutsu. Just when he was looking for a player to pass the ball, his eyes locked with Hiro’s.
Hiro gestured him to hold the ball and draw out the defenders as much as he could.
Sasaki then began to dribble the ball diagonally towards the goalpost.
As he was starting to dribble the ball towards the goalpost, players of Tokyo elementary school began to rush towards him.
Just then Hiro dashed towards Sasaki. Witnessing Hiro’s run, Sasaki passed the ball towards Hiro and began to cut in. Hiro hit the ball back with the back of his heels and returned the ball back to Sasaki with a single touch.
Tokyo elementary school’s players couldn’t do anything at all. Without stopping the ball, Sasaki immediately released the ball back to Hiro. With swift one-two passes they left the defenders of Tokyo elementary school in dust.
As Hiro began to cut in with the ball, he found himself infront of Akutsu. Akutsu stood before him while staring at him with his fierce eyes. As if those eyes could see through his soul, a chill ran down his spine as he locked eyes with Akutsu.
Hiro began to step over the ball. However Akutsu showed no reaction and remained absolutely calm. He didn’t leave any space open for him to exploit.
Not only did he prevent him from dribbling the ball forward, he also blocked all his pass courses. Just like a snake waiting for a perfect moment to strike it’s prey, he was patiently waiting for the moment when Hiro would make mistakes to perform the tackle.
‘Tch- Just how much of a monster is he? Even with the help of system and years of football knowledge, I can’t get pass through him. Not only is he keeping his pressure on me, he’s also blocking my pass courses.’ Unable to get past through Akutsu, Hiro started showing signs of frustration.
The reason why Akutsu was called viper was because of his playing style. Just like how a viper would suffocate it’s prey before swallowing it, Akutsu would maintain his pressure on his opponent until his opponent would eventually make mistakes subconsciously.
**** ****
“That number 2 is on whole another level than the rest of the players on the field. Don’t you agree uncle? The way he keeps his cool even when facing against a opponent inside his own box is truly remarkable.” Luna began to praise Akutsu.
“Indeed if only he could play in Europe, he could develop even further.”?Eric replied while folding his hands, keeping his gaze fixated at the ball.
“That number 10 from the black team stand no chance against him.”
“I wonder if it’s true.”?Eric rolled his eyes towards his notebook and replied in his muffled voice.
Subconsciously he had been keeping track of Hiro from the very beginning of the match. Even though he denied his interest in asian players, he was somehow drawn towards Hiro’s playstyle.
And thus, he had been keeping track of his movement to test out his thoughts of him.
**** ****
While performing step overs, suddenly he touched the ball with the outside of his right foot.
At that moment Akutsu stretched his legs towards him to snatch the ball.
That touch from Hiro wasn’t a mistake. He intentionally tapped the ball with the outside of his boot to trick Akutsu into believing he made a mistake.
As he kicked the ball with the outside of his right foot, he again tapped the ball with the inside of his right foot and performed a elastico. 𝗼𝐯𝐥.𝗻𝐭
Hiro took full advantage of Akutsu’s playstyle and manipulated him into believing he made a mistake.
“Tch- He tricked me.” Akashi clicked his tongue. “But at least I’ll force him into shooting with his left leg.”
Since most of the times Hiro scored goal with his right leg, Akutsu assumed that he was right footed.
Even though Akutsu could still reach him if he performed a sliding tackle, there was a possibility of a foul. And he was hesitant to foul him inside the penalty box.
Just when Hiro was preparing to shoot the ball, Akutsu dashed towards him and threw his body infront of him. Fortunately he hadn’t raised his legs yet to perform the shot. Hiro tapped the ball with the inside of his right foot. The ball rolled towards his left leg.
‘Somehow I’ve managed to force him into shooting with his left leg.’ Akutsu revealed a satiated grin.
Hiro kicked the ball hard with his left leg and shoved the ball down right the bottom left corner of the post.
Even with his arms stretched, the keeper couldn’t prevent the shot.
For this whole time Akutsu was having a misconception of Hiro being right footed. Infact his left foot carried as much shot power as his right foot, Hiro was ambidextrous.
“‘Gooooaaaaallllllll!!!!”‘
Hiro scored the goal at the 54th minute of the match and finally opened the scoresheet.
“‘Woohooo”‘
The supporters of Ookami elementary school bursted out in cheers as he scored that goal.
**** ****
“Yeah goal!!”?Eric yelled as Hiro scored the goal.
Even Eric was forced to stand up from his seat.
“You sure? You didn’t come here to recruit players?” Luna mumbled upon witnessing his celebration.
“Ahum!! That was a brilliant goal.”?Eric exclaimed while clearing his throat, as he tried to maintain his composure.
“Argh damn!! How could you let that child loose Akutsu?” The old man sitting beside them seemed extremely disappointed by Hiro’s goal.
**** ****
After scoring that goal, Hiro began to run towards the sidelines where the substitute and staffs of Ookami elementary school were seated.
While taking his t-shirt off, he began to run towards the sidelines while flipping his t-shirt in his hands. Celebrating as if he had already won the national championship, his happiness knew no bounds.
The players of Ookami elementary school followed him but he didn’t stop. He kept on running towards the sidelines where the substitutes of Ookami elementary school were seated.
Just as he reach the sidelines, he celebrated his goal by displaying his number 10 jersey to the supporters in the stands.
“Look at the audacity of that boy! He’s trying to recreate Messi’s celebration against Real Madrid. Hehe..” Eric chuckled witnessing his audacity to flaunt his jersey infront of the packed stadium filled with supporters of Tokyo elementary school.
Tokyo elementary school couldn’t make a comeback in the remaining minute of the match. And thus, the game ended with a score of 1:0.
Ookami elementary school finally won the match against the six time champion Tokyo elementary school and registered their first ever national championship.
Hiro’s sole goal at the 54th minute of the match secured them the title.
After the end of the match before award ceremony, the referee gathered both the teams for one last handshake.
“Weren’t you right footed? So how could you perform such powerful shot from you left leg?” Akutsu questioned as he took Hiro’s hand.
“Who told you that I was right footed? I can shoot equally well with both my foot. It’s just I haven’t demonstrated the power of my left foot yet.” Hiro replied as he shook hands with Akutsu.