Chapter 2:- A New Beginning
After a brief halftime break, the game resumed, but something seemed different. The main squad, already leading with three goals, appeared to be taking it easy. Understandably so, as their confidence was high, and the pressure on Kabir's team had lessened. It was hard to imagine how the substitutes could defeat the seasoned starters.
Kabir found himself on the receiving end of several well-executed passes from his teammates, primarily from the central midfielders. Whenever he received the ball, he swiftly redirected it to either of the wingers or the striker. He avoided keeping the ball for too long, well aware that the opponent could easily snatch it away. Each time he passed, his teammates skillfully controlled the ball.
The coach couldn't help but be impressed as he observed Kabir's exceptional passing ability. The more he witnessed it, the more his admiration grew.
In the 59th minute, a long pass was directed towards Kabir from one of the central defenders. Skillfully trapping the ball with his left foot, he instantly felt the presence of the opponent's midfielders closing in, eager to dispossess him. With two adversaries bearing down on him, Kabir demonstrated a move that left everyone astonished.
In a split second, without even glancing, he deftly passed the ball to the left winger, utilizing his left foot. The opponent team was caught off guard, momentarily frozen by the unexpected move. As they regained their composure, they witnessed the left winger, Ryan, sprinting towards the goal. The central defender and the right-back hurriedly broke free from their daze, desperately giving chase to Ryan.
Aware of the goalkeeper rushing towards him, Ryan realized that shooting from his position would be futile. With no other viable option, he swiftly passed the ball to his right. The goalkeeper could only watch in horror as the ball reached the waiting right winger. The scene unfolded with a sense of anticipation and disbelief.
Booom!!!!
It was a goal. Team B managed to score one goal. Now the score was
[ 3 - 1]
After the exhilarating goal, a surge of joy engulfed the team as Ryan and Zack rushed towards Kabir, their faces beaming with gratitude. The opportunity Kabir had provided by selflessly passing the ball allowed Ryan to score, making the celebration even sweeter.
"Kabir, that was an incredible pass," Ryan exclaimed, his voice filled with admiration. The other teammates joined in, expressing their appreciation for Kabir's remarkable play. In that moment, Kabir felt like he was floating on cloud nine. This was the realization of his lifelong dream, and the overwhelming happiness he experienced left him at a loss for words.
Coach Gareth and his assistant stood on the sidelines, their expressions a mix of astonishment and delight. "That pass was truly world-class," Coach Gareth remarked, his voice tinged with admiration. "Kabir didn't even need to lift his head to locate Ryan. His vision and passing ability are simply extraordinary."
Following the goal, the main squad regained their focus, determined to maintain their dominance. The defenders clamped down on the wingers, denying them any space to maneuver. Even when Kabir managed to deliver the ball to them, the opposing defenders swiftly closed in, preventing any crosses or passes to the striker.
As the game drew to a close, the team was instructed to return to training, with one exception—Kabir was asked to stay behind. Envious gazes followed Kabir as his teammates reluctantly departed. They were well aware that Kabir had earned his place in the youth team, a coveted opportunity. Despite their initial doubts about Kabir's skills, today he had proven them wrong, showcasing his talent and potential on the field.
"Kabir, your vision and passing skills have truly impressed me," Coach Gareth declared, his voice brimming with approval. "As a result, I've made the decision to appoint you as the official attacking midfielder of the team."
Gratitude swelled within Kabir as he responded with heartfelt appreciation, "Thank you, Coach." At that moment, his happiness knew no bounds. It was a dream come true for him, the culmination of his aspirations on the soccer field.
Coach Gareth's tone turned more serious as he continued, "However, I must caution you against getting carried away. While your vision and passing abilities are exceptional, your speed and stamina need improvement. Going forward, we will focus on enhancing your speed and stamina through dedicated training sessions." Kabir nodded earnestly, fully acknowledging the coach's assessment. Deep down, he recognized the validity of the coach's concerns and was eager to address them head-on.
[Ding! The host has completed the first mission. Please open the system to accept the reward.]
Kabir became even happier hearing this
"Kabir, allow me to introduce you to the main U18 squad of Nottingham Forest FC youth team," Coach Gareth announced warmly, gesturing towards the group of young players. Kabir, wearing a nervous but hopeful smile, prepared to make his introduction.
"Hello, everyone! My name is Kabir Ali, but you can call me Kabir. It's a pleasure to meet all of you," Kabir greeted, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. To his immense relief, the youth squad greeted him with open arms, exhibiting a friendly and welcoming demeanor. There was no trace of arrogance or hostility among his new teammates.
Throughout the remainder of the day, Coach Gareth devised a series of joint exercises to aid Kabir in integrating seamlessly into the team. As the drills progressed, it became evident that Kabir faced considerable challenges, particularly in terms of stamina. Compared to his accomplished teammates, he found himself struggling to keep up.
As the clock struck 5, signaling the end of the training session, Coach Gareth allowed the players to retreat to the dormitories. Walking alongside his new teammates, Kabir took a moment to reflect, opening his system to check the rewards he had earned.
[Ding! The Nottingham Forest FC youth squad's attacking midfielder has been injured recently. Coach Gareth Holmes is looking for a replacement from the Academy. Soon a trial will be held in the Academy. Earn your spot in the youth squad by impressing Coach Gareth.
Penalty - The system will stop working for one year.
Reward - A Mysterious skill, one random stat will be boosted by [10+]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving [B] rank Stepover skills.]
[Ding! Your Pace has improved by 10.]
Kabir abruptly halted his steps, a tingling sensation coursing through his body. He became acutely aware of his muscles undergoing a transformation, particularly in his legs, as they grew stronger and more defined.
A surge of confidence washed over him as he assessed the changes. "With my pace now at 48, I won't have to worry about falling behind," Kabir acknowledged a determined expression settling on his face. Understanding that the average pace of a U18 footballer typically ranged between 40 to 50, he realized that his own pace surpassed that threshold. As a winger, he recognized the importance of possessing speed above 50 to excel in his role.
Thoughts of newfound speed filled Kabir's mind, fueling his motivation to push himself further in training and on the field.
[ Name - Kabir Ali
Pace - 48
Dribbling - 35
Pass - 92
Defense - 28
Physique - 30
Vision - 80
Penalty - 21
Free kick - 19
Long shot - 41
Header - 40
Possession - 37
Preferred foot - Left foot
Skills - [B] Stepover]
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Inside the dormitory, Kabir entered his room and reached for his mobile phone, longing to connect with his parents who had returned to Bangladesh. However, his father, disapproving of Kabir's chosen path, had distanced himself, leaving Kabir to communicate with his mother in secret. The absence of his parents weighed heavily on him, and a sense of loneliness engulfed him, but his determination to follow his chosen path remained steadfast.
As he dialed the number, the anticipation grew. It was well past midnight in Bangladesh, and Kabir expected his mother to be asleep. To his surprise, she answered the call, her voice filled with excitement.
"Hello!"
"Mum, it's me," Kabir's voice trembled with emotion, his eyes welling up with tears. It had been over a year since he last laid eyes on his parents, and the separation felt unbearable.
"Ali, is that you? How are you, my son?" His mother's words carried a mix of joy and concern, reflecting her longing to be with him.
"I've been doing alright, Mom. And how about... father?"
"We're doing well."
"Mum, I called to share some good news. I've been selected for the U18 youth squad, and my first official match is on Tuesday."
Her response was filled with genuine happiness. "That's wonderful news, dear. I'm so proud of you."
Kabir and his mother continued their conversation, cherishing the connection between them. Yet, amidst the conversation, his mother broached a subject that shattered his happiness.
"By the way, remember to call your fiancée. It's been more than two weeks since you last spoke to her." Before Kabir could respond, his mother abruptly ended the call, leaving him feeling frustrated and angry.
The mention of his fiancée ignited a fire of resentment within Kabir. He despised the idea of being engaged to this girl, despite her physical beauty. Every interaction with her left him stressed and weighed down. Kabir believed his mother was well aware of his desire to end the engagement, yet she feigned ignorance, unwilling to acknowledge his true feelings.
Sigh!
"When I go home, I will do anything to break this engagement." Just thinking of marrying this girl, Kabir felt suffocated as if something was killing him from inside. Kabir would rather not marry in his entire life than get married to this girl.
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As the days passed, Kabir's integration into the U18 squad deepened. He quickly established himself as a vital component of the team, catching the attention of both his teammates and the coach. Kabir's unwavering dedication and tireless work ethic left a lasting impression on everyone. Each morning, he was the first to arrive at training, and in the evening, he would be the last one to leave, honing his skills and pushing himself to new limits.
With the coach's valuable tips and guidance, Kabir recognized the significance of developing his long-range shooting ability. He understood that a powerful and accurate long shot could greatly contribute to the team's success. Hence, during his free time, Kabir began focusing on improving this aspect of his game. Though his long shot was considered decent by U18 standards, Kabir's hunger for perfection remained unquenched. Ever since acquiring the system, his ambitions had soared, and now he aspired to play for the first team starting from the following season. To achieve this, he knew he had to leave a lasting impression on the scouts from other clubs.
Finally, the eagerly anticipated Tuesday arrived. The U18 youth team was scheduled to face Sunderland U18 in a home game. Due to their lackluster performance in recent times, the U18 youth team hadn't garnered much popularity. Consequently, only a modest crowd of 850 attendees filled the stadium. However, those present were the most dedicated and loyal fans of Nottingham club, drawn to the match by rumors of a promising new talent being added to the team's roster. Their presence indicated the hope and anticipation that surrounded Kabir's inclusion.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's highly anticipated U18 Premier League match between Nottingham and Sunderland. I'm Michael, and alongside me is Jerry."
"At the moment, Nottingham finds itself in the 14th position on the U18 Premier League table, while Sunderland trails behind in the 18th spot. This match holds immense significance for Nottingham supporters, as they witness the debut of a promising new attacking midfielder. This young talent has stepped in to fill the void left by the injured midfielder, and rumors abound regarding Coach Gareth's admiration for his skills. It remains to be seen what this new addition will bring to the team."
"Ah, Brennan Johnson. An exceptional talent, indeed. It won't be easy for anyone to fill his shoes. Playing as an attacking midfielder turned second striker, Johnson showcased his extraordinary abilities. But, Jerry, let's not jump to conclusions just yet. We must give this new player a fair chance. After all, Coach Gareth may have a well-thought-out plan in mind."
All the passionate Nottingham fans, glued to their television screens, couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity about this mysterious new midfielder. Some even took to the club's website, scouring for any tidbits of information they could find about Kabir.
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Meanwhile, inside the locker room, a solemn Coach Gareth addressed his players, his expression conveying utmost seriousness.
"Listen up, everyone. We cannot afford to lose this match. While we may have suffered a setback with Brennan's absence, Sunderland is by no means a formidable opponent. In fact, they are one of the more manageable teams we've faced this season. We've already emerged victorious against them on multiple occasions. So, there's no need to be nervous. Remember, when you have possession of the ball, prioritize making accurate passes and maintaining control. Fancy skills and unnecessary showboating have no place on the pitch today. We are a cohesive unit, playing as a team. And I must emphasize this to Arvin and Alex—no showboating out there." Arvin and Alex exchanged slightly awkward nods, well aware of their tendency to become carried away with their dribbling skills. Arvin, originally from Africa, had relocated to England with his family, while Alex, born and raised in England, boasted a head of blond hair.
Arvin occupied the role of the right winger, while Alex manned the left wing. As wingers, both possessed exceptional dribbling abilities, making them two of the most skillful dribblers in the squad. However, at times, they allowed themselves to get lost in the allure of showcasing their skills, a tendency that Coach Gareth vehemently disapproved of and had admonished them for on numerous occasions.
"We will execute our game plan as we've prepared. Ethan and Oliver, whenever you have the ball, prioritize passing it to Kabir." Ethan assumed the position of the left midfielder, while Oliver took charge of the right midfield. In the past, both Ethan and Oliver had played as central midfielders in the absence of Brennan. But now, with Coach Gareth's strategic reshuffling of the team's formation, Kabir had emerged as the core of the squad.
Kabir, Ethan, and Oliver formed an essential triangle in the midfield, and over the course of the week, the three of them had trained extensively together to ensure seamless coordination on the field.
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