Kickoff

The players shook hands with each other, then the captains shook hands with the referees. Afterwards, the captains shook hands with each other as they readied themselves for the coin flipping.

The coin was flipped after the captains had selected their side of the coin and it was Marbles who started the kickoff.

A minute later, the moment everyon had been waiting for had finally come. Eric looked around the filled up field with a glorified expression. These people here, they are all here for Krystal Fc, they are here to cheer for me...

Eric suddenly clenched his fists as a meory passed through his brain...

****

Eric just returned home from training when he saw his father and mother seated on the couch in the living room.

Where have you been? Eric's father asked. Without even waiting for Eric to even reply him, he continued. You're still a young boy, you just got into senior high and you're already walking around aimlessly...

But dad...Eric cut in, not ready to hear his father make such false comments about him. I only went to train in the school, the soccer tournament is starting very soon..

Eric's father furowed his brows. Since when, since when did you take soccer so seriously that you even go for trainings?

Eric looked away, he was a bit pained. Maybe if you were always around to look after your only living child, you would have known how much I cared about soccer...

Eric. His mother called softly, clearly passing a message.

The man looked unruffled. Regardless, that is just a childish dream of the unserious, pay attention to your studies, you can't afford to fail your exams, you must become a lawyer.

Eri stared back at his father. Dad...I don't want to become a lawyer, I want to become a footballer...

Eric's father cleared his throat threatningly. You really don't mean that, do you?

Eric's mother touched her husband's shoulder warmly. Honey...don't you think you're being too hard on him? I mean, he deserves a chance.

Eric's father looked at his wife, his gaze softened a bit. A chance you say?

The woman nodded softly while still holding his shoulder.

Okay, the man finally gave in. I heard that the team that wins the tournament would be granted a spot in a trials held abroad, but you must be in your final year to be eligible for the trials, is that right?

Eric nodded his head. His father too, nodded. Okay, here's what. If you can win the tournament even once in your high school, then I'll be convinced of your potential and be willing to train you in your dreams of being a soccer star.

Is that enough? Eric's mom asked.

Eric nodded his head. Thank's a lot, dad. I promise to win the tournament this year.

His father sighed. It'd be a lot better if you won a scholarship to study law...

******

Pii!

The match was officially underway.

Soma passed the ball back and it was redirected with a simple flick pass by Claret. The pass was controlled by Paige. For a while, Marbles passed the ball lisurely around themselves. it wasn't sp clear what their objective was.

While this was happening, Krystal Fc made sure not to lose focus. They steadily progressed into their opponent's half as they made sure not to lose their sights on anyone that they were marking.

Zoe passed the ball to Harry and Haryy controlled it to a stop. Afterwards, he used his hands to motion for his players to go farther into the pitch. Seeing this, Krystal Fc players moved to their own halve too.

Neo was surprised to see how far Marbles had gone into Krystal Fc's halve. Can Harry really kick the ball that far?

True to his thoughts, Harry couldn't.

Harry suddenly kicked the ball forward and dahed out of his goal post

Damn! Adrienne cussed loudly as he rushed back to his position where Harry was coming from.

Harry's speed was surprising, he was surey one of the fastest goalkeepers in the city. He quickly carried out a feint and he lost Adrienne in his trails.

Adrienne quickly hit on his brakes and he did the fastest reverse turn ever seen. He turned around only to see Claret in front of him. Adrienne couldn't help himself as he bumped into Claret and staggered backwards.

Damn this! A screen!? Is this basketball or what!?

Harry suddenly crossed the ball. As everyone's eye followed the trajectory of the ball that was falling to the far corner of the penalty area, a 189cm figure suddenly appeared in their eyes.

He was the quiet No 9 of Marbles Fc, Samuel.

Samuel leaped through the air, his big frame made a peculiar sound as he went higher and closer to the ball. Samuel's head made a contact with the ball and the ball went flying towards the back of the net.

Zuri stretched to his limits and he managed to get a heavy right hand to the ball, knocking the ball to the woodwork and the ball ricocheted back to the crowd of players.