The tension was palpable as the Ajax team bus arrived at Rat Verlegh Stadion, home of NAC Breda, for their seventh Eredivisie fixture of the season. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the stadium was bathed in the glow of floodlights. The atmosphere was electric, with fans filling the stands and chants echoing through the night. Among the sea of supporters, there was a palpable buzz about one player in particular: Alex Bram, the young prodigy who had been named in the starting lineup.
As the players disembarked from the bus and made their way to the locker room, Alex felt a surge of adrenaline. The locker room was a hive of activity, with players going through their pre-match routines, the air thick with anticipation. Erik ten Hag, the mastermind behind Ajax's tactical prowess, gathered the team for a final briefing.
"Remember our game plan," ten Hag began, his voice calm and authoritative. "We're playing a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on quick transitions and high pressing. Control the midfield, exploit the wings, and maintain our defensive shape. Alex, you'll be on the left wing. Use your speed and creativity to break down their defense."
Alex nodded, absorbing the instructions. He was ready. This was his moment to shine, to prove that he belonged in the starting eleven. After the briefing, the team headed out onto the pitch for their warm-up, the fans' cheers growing louder as they emerged.
The match kicked off with Ajax in their traditional red and white kits, facing a NAC Breda side determined to make a statement. The opening minutes were a battle for control, with both teams probing each other's defenses. Ajax, true to ten Hag's instructions, pressed high and moved the ball quickly, seeking to dominate possession.
In the 10th minute, the first significant chance fell to Ajax. Frenkie de Jong, playing as the central playmaker, intercepted a pass in midfield and quickly released a through ball to Hakim Ziyech on the right wing. Ziyech sprinted forward, cutting inside before laying off a pass to Alex Bram, who had made a darting run into the box. Alex controlled the ball with a deft touch, but his shot was blocked by a defender.
The early chance was a sign of things to come. Ajax's relentless pressing and fluid movement began to wear down NAC's defense. In the 15th minute, Alex received the ball on the left wing, just inside the opponent's half. He dribbled past two defenders with a burst of speed and skill, cutting inside towards the edge of the box. Spotting a gap in the defense, he unleashed a curling shot towards the far post. The ball sailed past the outstretched hands of the NAC goalkeeper and nestled into the top corner of the net.
The stadium erupted as Alex celebrated his first goal of the night. His teammates rushed to congratulate him, recognizing the significance of the moment. The commentators were equally enthusiastic.
"What a fantastic goal from Alex Bram!" one of them exclaimed. "He's shown incredible composure and skill to find the back of the net. This young man is something special."
With the opening goal, Ajax grew in confidence. Their passing became more fluid, their movements more synchronized. In the 22nd minute, they struck again. This time, it was de Jong who orchestrated the attack. He played a one-two with Donny van den Beek in midfield before lofting a perfectly weighted pass to Alex on the left wing. Alex controlled the ball with his chest, then sent a low cross into the box. Huntelaar was there to meet it, sliding in to score Ajax's second goal.
The scoreline read 2-0, but Ajax was far from done. They continued to press and probe, with Alex at the heart of their attacking play. In the 30th minute, he was involved again. Receiving the ball near the halfway line, he turned and sprinted down the left flank, leaving defenders in his wake. He cut inside, drew two defenders towards him, and then played a perfectly timed pass to de Jong, who slotted the ball home for Ajax's third goal.
The first half ended with Ajax firmly in control, leading 3-0. The team headed to the locker room to the sound of their fans' cheers, knowing that they had set the stage for a dominant performance.
Erik ten Hag's halftime talk was one of praise and encouragement. "Great work in the first half, everyone," he said. "We've controlled the game well, but let's not get complacent. Keep up the pressure, maintain our discipline, and exploit any weaknesses. Alex, you've been fantastic. Keep pushing forward."
As the second half began, Ajax picked up right where they left off. Their relentless pressing and quick passing left NAC struggling to keep up. In the 50th minute, Alex found himself in space on the left wing once again. He received a pass from van de Beek, took on a defender, and cut inside. This time, instead of shooting, he spotted Hakim Ziyech making a late run into the box. Alex chipped a delicate pass over the defense, and Ziyech volleyed it into the net to make it 4-0.
The floodgates had opened. NAC Breda's defense was in disarray, unable to cope with Ajax's attacking prowess. In the 60th minute, Alex completed his hat-trick in spectacular fashion. De Jong played a diagonal ball to Alex on the left wing. Alex controlled it with a flick, beat his marker with a quick turn, and drove towards the box. He faked a shot, causing the defender to commit, and then calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.
The hat-trick sent the Ajax fans into raptures. They chanted Alex's name, celebrating the young star who had delivered a masterclass in attacking football. The commentators were effusive in their praise.
"Alex Bram has been absolutely sensational tonight," one of them remarked. "A hat-trick and an assist – what a performance! He's shown maturity beyond his years and a level of skill that's truly remarkable."
But the onslaught didn't stop there. In the 70th minute, Alex provided another assist, this time for Huntelaar. After a quick interchange of passes with van de Beek, Alex found himself in space on the left. He whipped in a low cross that Huntelaar met with a powerful header, scoring his second goal of the match and making it 6-0.
With NAC Breda completely overwhelmed, Ajax continued to press their advantage. In the 80th minute, they added a seventh goal. Alex, once again at the center of the action, picked up the ball near the halfway line and drove forward. He played a one-two with Huntelaar, then sent a through ball to van de beek, who finished with aplomb.
The final goal came in the 88th minute, a fitting end to a dominant performance. Alex received the ball on the left wing, cut inside, and unleashed a fierce shot that the NAC goalkeeper could only parry. Huntelaar was there to pounce on the rebound, completing his hat-trick and sealing an 8-0 victory for Ajax.
The final whistle blew, and the Ajax players celebrated a comprehensive victory. The fans were ecstatic, their cheers echoing through the stadium. Alex was mobbed by his teammates, who recognized his pivotal role in the win.
Erik ten Hag, usually reserved, couldn't hide his smile. He walked onto the pitch to congratulate his players, giving Alex a pat on the back. "Outstanding performance, Alex. You were brilliant tonight."
The post-match interviews were filled with praise for Alex and the team. Erik ten Hag emphasized the collective effort and tactical execution. "It was a complete team performance," he said. "Everyone played their part, but I have to give special credit to Alex Bram. His creativity, vision, and finishing were exceptional."
Alex, in his interview, was humble and focused on the team's success. "It was a great game for us," he said. "We stuck to our game plan and executed it well. I'm happy to contribute to the team's victory. It's always a team effort, and tonight we showed what we can do together."
As the team traveled back to Amsterdam, there was a sense of satisfaction and camaraderie among the players. The victory had not only secured three points but also sent a strong message to the rest of the league about Ajax's attacking prowess and resilience.
Alex sat quietly, reflecting on his performance. The hat-trick and two assists were significant milestones in his burgeoning career, but he knew there was still much to learn and improve upon. He replayed the key moments in his mind, analyzing his decisions and considering how he could further refine his game.
Back Home
As he laid on his bed he heard a notification from his system.
DING
(The System has seen that the host played his a match and will now give rewards according to his match stats)
Game Stats
Take Ons: 16
Shots: 5
Cross: 6
Passes Made: 11
Goal Scored: 3
Assist Made: 2
Match Evaluation: 9.5
Rewards
1000 Points
One Stat to Level Up
"I will now save up points for a skill" Alex thought.
"Level up Physical Fitness"
"Status"
Status
Name: Alex Bram
Age: 17
Talent Estimation: Grade C
Points: 2200
Evaluation: A teenage Dutch boy who just turned Pro.
Stats
Physical Fitness: B+ (Strength, Speed and Stamina)
Game Intelligence: B+
Mental Ability: B
Soccer Technique: B
Skills:
1. Jay Jay Okocha Reverse Step Over (Completed: 90/100)
2. The Reverse Elastico (82/100)
3. Bend It Like Beckham (74/100)
4. Messi's Body Feints (86/100)