Home Debut (II)

The Luminus Arena felt heavy with tension as the Genk players trudged into the locker room, down 1-0 against Schalke. The guests had dominated the first half tactically disciplined and ruthless in the few chances they had.

The silence was deafening, except for the occasional deep breaths and nervous sound of boots scraping against the floor. Then-BAM!

Coach Phillip Clement slammed his hand on the table as he stood at the front, eyes blazing. 

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?! he roared, his Dutch accent was filled with frustration. His glare swept across the room landing on everyone. "We're at home! A packed stadium! And we're playing like scared little boys! Where's the fight? Where's the Damn communication? Do you know how many second balls we've won? One. ONE! That's fucking disgraceful!"

Utter silence.

Coach exhaled, rubbing his temple before leaning in, voice firm but slightly calmer.

"Listen up boys. Second half, we fight. We press harder, we move the ball faster not sloppy and we take risks. Get in their faces. Make them uncomfortable."

Coach looked at everyone one last time.

"You've got 45 minutes to show this crowd who the fucking hell y'all are. Go out here and make them proud."

With that, he clapped his hands.

"Now get out there and play like men."

With the fire now burning in the room, the team stood up, fired up.

The second half at the Luminus Arena began with the sound of the whistle and the home crowd rippled with nervous anticipation.

Genk was still trailing 1-0 and the frustration among the fans was palpable. The team came out with more intensity, but Schalke's defense remained organized cutting off key breakthrough moments and dominating in possession.

50th minute.

"Vincent start warming up." Clement said refocusing on the game.

Vincent stood up his heart pounding. He could feel the energy in the stadium, the murmurs of excitement mixed with frustration. This could possibly be his chance.

"Ohh, what a brilliant touch from Trossard and he's through....." Josh the commentator voice could be heard over the speaker rousing everyone's attention.

"Good trickery from Trossard.... ohh he's passed to Jose who is open to take a shot..... and MY GOD Jose's been brought down by the left back of Schalke in the box." Josh booming voice could be heard around the stadium followed by resounding cheers from the home fans.

A deafening roar of protests exploded from the Genk fans.

The referee didn't hesitate -he blew the whistle and pointed straight to the spot!.

"Penalty for Genk!" Josh said over the speaker.

"That was just wrong challenge by the guests, a totally unnecessary tackle. Genk rightfully deserve the penalty, we can only hope the injury isn't to serious as Jose has been one of the most impactful players today," Jonathan added.

Schalke's players swarmed the referee furious. Their left back, threw up his hands as if to say he got the ball. The replay on the stadium screen told the truth-he didn't. 

Naránjo, clutching his ankle, groaned in pain as the medics rushed into the pitch.

Coach Clement turned to the bench sighing.

"Vincent. You're in."

"Right wing. Use your pace. Be smart."

Vincent's heart pounded as he removed his warm up vest. 

The fourth official raised the substitution board. Number 11 OFF, Number 12 ON.

A wave of cheers rippled through the stadium for the exiting player and for the new singing. Some fans clapped excitedly, while others remained unsure of his abilities. Not everyone was convinced of his abilities as a young Nigerian, as some pundits had already criticized his signing, calling him raw and too reliant on his speed. 

He crossed the white line, shaking off the nerves. He wasn't here to prove them right, rather to prove them wrong.

Walking onto the pitch, a commentator's voice boomed over the speakers.

"And here comes the young Nigerian, Madu Romano Vincent. A lot of potential in this lad, but tonight is the real test."

"Yes Josh. The half Italian has quite the job to be done on the pitch today. Not too much is expected from the home fans as long as he's not dead weight and can hold the ball well I guess!" Jonathan in addition.

The game resumed with scores now tied as Trossard won the penalty for the team soothing the agitated heart of the home fans.

Vincent still adapting to the game received passes, moved the ball around without losing it then passing it back trying to find his rhythm.

During the 63rd minute, Timothy sent a through pass towards him down the sideline. Quickly trapping the ball he attempted to turn around and run down the flank, a Schalke defender, towering above him, slammed into his back shoving him to the ground.

Vincent hit the ground as he was stunned by the sudden foul, he raised his hand for a foul, but the referee signaled play on. The crowd had mixed reactions as some booed and others considered it fair challenge shrugging it off.

The defender walked past him smirking "Welcome to pro football, kid."

"Oh that's a proper welcome to Belgian football! What do you say Jonathan?" Josh inquired. 

"It's fair challenge to me. The striker let down his guard, let's see how he responds."

As the game proceeded Vincent tried beat his man but the defender was tailing him like a dog latched onto his scent.

Minutes later, another pass came from Pozuelo who managed to beat his marker. This time he reacted quickly and with a smooth body feint feint he was about to pass his marker when he was fouled again. The defender had lunged in, clipping his ankle making him stumble but losing the ball. This time the referee blew the whistle signaling a free kick for Genk which Trossard stepped up to take.

Trossard crossed the ball into the box, but the goalkeeper leaped and caught the ball safely preventing any danger in the box.

A quick counter began when Schalke offense rushing to the box, but the defenders were able to hold on and even win possession back.

Genk finally had a spell of possession. The midfield worked the ball around, probing for an opening to capitalize on and during the 73rd minute an opening appeared. 

Vincent had drifted wide, watching and waiting for a chance, trying to minimize his presence on the pitch.

Then- a switch of play. Bryan sent an accurate cross to Vincent who was by the sidelines open his marker had let down his guard.

"Ohh..... A cross from Bryan to..... Vincent who's is open! His marker has left him unguarded and is stumbling to reach him and shut him down". Josh voice could be heard filled with expectation.

The ball floated towards him, as he took it down beautifully, before he could turn he could feel the approaching right back lunging in for the ball.

Instead of turning he quickly let his instincts take over. Vincent quickly used the back of his heel kicking the ball through the defender's legs and spun past him in one fluid motion.

The crowd gasped in astonishment. Vincent was free.

"My GOD! Jonathan, that was such a smooth dribble and with such technique, he's just nutmegged his nemesis on the pitch leaving him wasted." Josh cried out with a thrilled expectation on his face.

"Indeed Josh. It seems this young talent has more than it meets the eyes." Jonathan added with a hint of surprise in his voice.

Using his burst of pace, Vincent sped down the right wing open as the defender couldn't catch up to him again.

Sensing the danger, the left center back of Schalke left his position slightly to prevent Vincent from crossing into the box .

Vincent glanced around -a cross?

[No. Too early and predictable].

Instead, Vincent cut inside attracting the defender then cut outside again, leaving the defender scrambling with his pace.

Now deep down the right, a midfielder tried to prevent the cross but was a tad bit too late. He had delivered a perfect cross which Samatta met with a powerful header and Trossard there to cover.

(Saved!)

"The keeper has managed to save it! Wow what a stunning display of skill from Vincent today. The kid has managed to surprise everyone here today with his performance, you could tell from the uproar from the crowd that's rippling through the air." Josh commented .

During the 84th minute, Genk won a corner now invigorated and alive. The stadium buzzed with nervous expectations, as a goal now could very much be the game winner.

The ball was swung into the box with Pozuelo rising to head it but a Schalke CB cleared it, but it was only as far as the edge of the box where Vincent stood. 

[System activate Focus]

{FOCUS (LV 1) ACTIVATED}

Immediately the moment slowed, as Vincent shifted his weight, letting his instincts take over as the ball dropped and he struck it cleanly towards the goal post.

The shot sliced through the crowded box like a bullet, past the outstretched legs, the diving goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner.

(((GOALLLLL!!))

"He's done it alright! Right here at the Luminus Arena, his home debut has been solidified with a goal." Josh screamed through the speakers.

"A wonderful goal from the young star Josh, cementing his name in the club and in the heart of the fans. With this win Genk will be moving up the table to the fourth spot." Jonathan added.

His teammates rushed towards him, tackling him in celebration, as the fans were on their feet chanting his name and sing the club's song.

After evading his teammates he sprinted towards the corner flag, but instead of a flashy celebration, he stopped, looking towards the sky and placed both hands over his heart. Then slowly, he raised one hand, pointing to the heavens.

This was his signature celebration, as a tribute to his late dad. Every goal, every moment of triumph, was for him.

The cameras zoomed in on his face, catch ing the raw emotion and tears on his face.

"That right there.... that means something. You're right Jonathan, there's indeed more to him then it meets the eyes. What a moment." The commentator said softly.

The game resumed with few minutes to full time and Schalke on full offensive likewise Genk on full defensive.

**Fweeeeee, Fweeeeeeee, Fweeeeeeee**

The final whistle blew, Genk had won.

As Vincent walked of the pitch dripping with sweat he was mobbed by reporters who were already questioning him before they reached him. Luckily coach Clement saved him from those predators before they could get to him.

The Genk locker room was a mix of exhaustion and elation. They had come back to win 2-1, and the atmosphere was electric. Players patted Vincent on the back, still buzzing from his stunning debut goal.

Coach Clement walked in, clapping his hands and the room quieted down

"Nice game boys during the second half." His voice was firm but proud. "We were down, we struggled, but we dug deep. That's what champions do."

He turned to Madu.

"And you—hell of a goal, kid. But this is just the beginning Vince, stay hungry."

Madu nodded, heart swelling with pride.

The coach scanned the

room smiling.

"Enjoy the win tonight. But tomorrow? We work again."

Cheers erupted.