18 - Option to Pass
The clock struck 38 minutes into the second half. There were only 7 minutes left before the final 45 minutes. If they were lucky, they would get 1 or 2 minutes of overtime because the game wasn't very close. If they couldn't decide, the game would go straight to penalty kicks. This was a short championship, and with games every day, the teams couldn't tire themselves out with overtime.
So at the end of the game, the field was literally in chaos. Everyone wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible.
After the successful save on Nishida's header, the Karaso High School players launched a desperate counterattack, while the Wushia High School defenders tried desperately to get back to their positions.
Yukihiro saw all of his teammates running to help him get back on his feet, but at the first step, he felt his right ankle hurt again. If he went back now, he might not be able to attack again when the time was right. He had to decide what was most important.
If Wushia High School scored now, everything would probably be lost. Karaso High School knew how to defend very well and would be able to hold out until the final whistle, so Yukihiro thought there was no point in thinking. He had to run to help. However...
"Yukihiro! Stay there! I'll bring you the ball!" Lucas shouted, looking at his teammate as he ran to help the defense.
Yukihiro's eyebrows arched in surprise, but he nodded, trusting Lucas - after all, Nishidawas doing the same thing at that very moment.
Kenji, always alert, shouted instructions to his companions. "Jun, cover the left side! Nishi, close the middle!" He himself strategically positioned himself to intercept any pass the opponents attempted from the right side.
The ball was quickly passed to the opponent's half, where a Karaso High School player ran to the ball and kicked it forward with all his might. No one from Wushia High School understood why until the same player who had scored the first goal appeared like a ghost behind Nishi and kicked the ball into the net.
Toshinori, the goalkeeper of Wushia High School, was alert. He clapped his hands and yelled:
"Come on!"
Any mistake could be fatal, but Toshinori was taller than most high school players.
The skillful Karaso High striker threatened to dribble Toshinori out of play, as he had done for the first goal, but Toshinori was ready. The goalkeeper stepped forward with his arms outstretched. As he shot, the ball deflected off his fingertips and out of play.
Kuwabara, who had run out to help with the defense, caught the ball and without hesitation passed it to Jun, who quickly connected with Kenji, who threw it forward to Yukihiro.
Yukihiro, though still in pain, controlled the ball and started to run forward. It was a chance for him and Nishida, who was right in front of him. It would be two of them against three defenders.
Yukihiro's eyes were fixed on the ball, and the eyes of everyone on the field and in the stands on him created an almost palpable pressure on his back. He knew he had little time, only a few minutes separating his team from victory or defeat. Sweat dripped down his face, mixing with the dirt and fatigue that had accumulated over the course of the match.
Nishidawas in the lead, and Yukihiro knew that he was the team's best chance to score at the moment. But the three Karaso High School defenders moved in unison, like an impenetrable wall. A perfect counterattack. That was what they needed.
'Come on, you idiot, just a few more steps...' Yukihiro thought, clenching his teeth.
He continued to run. When he raised his head, he looked at Nishida, who was already in position to receive the pass. With a precise movement, Yukihiro kicked the ball to his teammate.
Nishidareceived the ball with characteristic skill, using his chest to cushion the impact before letting it fall gently to his feet. He looked around quickly, assessing the situation. The remaining defenders were closing in, but he had a plan.
"Come on, Nishida, you can do it!" someone shouted from the Wushia High School bench.
Nishidabegan to move forward with the ball at his feet. A defender tried to clear the ball, but Nishidawas as strong as a battle tank and pushed him away with his shoulders.
The Karaso High School goalkeeper, an older boy with quick reflexes, was in position to make what might be the most important save of the game. It would be goalie versus forward, one on one.
Nishidawas never afraid to miss a goal. Absolutely never. This time would be no different. But he wasn't afraid. He knew that he wasn't having a good day, and the best thing for the team was for him to pass to Yukihiro, who was probably passing freely on the left side by now. That would guarantee a goal.
So Nishidalooked to his left, expecting to see Yukihiro, but to his surprise, Yukihiro wasn't there following Nishida's advance.
Nishidaglanced back and his heart raced as he realized that Yukihiro was on the ground, holding his ankle with an expression of pain.
For a moment, despair threatened to overtake Nishida. Then he heard a cry.
"Nishida! Over here! I'm free!"
It was Lucas, running like an animal with his tongue hanging out. Lucas' eyes shone with fierce determination, and he was partially free. Nishidaknew immediately what to do. He pushed the ball to Lucas with a simple pass, just as he and Lucas had practiced a thousand times the day before.
Lucas received the pass and quickly advanced toward the opposing goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper was experienced and managed to recover. He launched himself to block, but Lucas used the
With the goalkeeper completely out of position, Lucas shot calmly. The ball crossed the goal line and rattled into the net.
"GOOOOAL!" The words echoed around the field from various parts of the stadium, both in the stands, on the field, and on the Wushia High School bench.
Yukihiro, who was still on the ground, smiled with relief and lay down on the grass.
[You have completed the "Troubleshooter" bonus mission.]
The system message appeared for Lucas.