Chapter 28: The First Real Test

Blackhaven's rise through League One had been impressive, but critics remained skeptical. Some dismissed them as a temporary sensation, while others believed they lacked the depth to sustain their momentum.

Daisuke Kurogane didn't care about public opinion. His team was built for dominance, not validation.

Now, however, the true test had arrived.

Blackhaven's next match was against Portsmouth, the current League One leaders. Unlike previous opponents, Portsmouth was an established side—disciplined, experienced, and ruthless.

Sitting at the top of the table, they boasted the best defensive record in the league. Their manager, Dean Caldwell, was a veteran who had guided teams to promotion before. He knew how to win—and more importantly, he knew how to shut down opponents.

For Blackhaven, this wasn't just another game. It was a statement match.

A win here would silence the doubters. A loss? It would be ammunition for every critic waiting for their downfall.

At the training ground, Daisuke gathered his players around the tactics board.

"We're facing the best defense in the league," he began. "They sit deep, absorb pressure, and hit on the counter. If we play into their hands, we'll be stuck all night."

He pointed to Portsmouth's defensive line. "They don't press high. They rely on compact positioning and force you to break them down."

Aaron leaned forward. "So how do we beat them?"

Daisuke smirked. "By disrupting their rhythm."

Instead of playing a possession-heavy game, Daisuke planned to increase the tempo and force mistakes. Quick transitions, direct passing, and aggressive movement—Blackhaven would attack relentlessly, giving Portsmouth no time to settle.

"We'll overload the wings," he continued. "Stretch their backline and open space for late runs from midfield."

The players nodded in understanding. They had seen Daisuke's tactics work time and time again. Now, they had to execute.

The stadium buzzed with energy. Portsmouth's home crowd was loud, confident, and eager to see Blackhaven exposed.

As the teams lined up, Dean Caldwell approached Daisuke with a smirk.

"You're doing well for a newcomer," he said. "But this isn't one of your lower-table opponents. Let's see if you can handle a real team."

Daisuke simply nodded, unfazed. "We'll see."

The referee blew the whistle. The battle had begun.

As expected, Portsmouth sat deep, absorbing pressure. Blackhaven dominated possession, but breaking through was difficult.

Despite their attacking intent, Portsmouth's defense remained organized and disciplined. Every pass, every dribble—Blackhaven found themselves met with immediate resistance.

In the 22nd minute, Portsmouth launched a counterattack. Their star forward, Connor Davies, broke free and forced Stojanovic into a brilliant save.

A reminder.

One mistake, and Portsmouth would punish them.

At halftime, the score remained 0-0.

In the locker room, Daisuke remained calm.

"We're playing into their hands," he said. "They want us to slow down, to hesitate. That ends now."

He looked at his wingers. "No more patient build-up. Attack with urgency. Take risks. Force them out of their comfort zone."

Then he turned to Aaron and Ricardo. "Push higher. Flood their box. Overwhelm them."

The team absorbed his words. They knew what they had to do.

The whistle blew. Blackhaven exploded into action.

Just five minutes in, Ricardo made a sharp diagonal run, receiving a precise through ball from Aaron. He cut inside, feinted past a defender, and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.

1-0, Blackhaven.

The away section erupted. Portsmouth had barely processed what happened before Blackhaven came again.

This time, Carter delivered a perfect cross, and Aaron rose highest, heading the ball past the keeper.

2-0, Blackhaven.

Portsmouth was rattled. Their defensive structure was falling apart.

Caldwell screamed instructions from the sidelines, urging his players to regain control. But it was too late.

Blackhaven owned the pitch now.

In the 79th minute, a quick combination play saw Ricardo slip a pass to Aaron, who calmly slotted it home.

3-0. Game over.

As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read:

Portsmouth 0-3 Blackhaven

Blackhaven hadn't just won—they had dominated.

As Daisuke shook Caldwell's hand, the veteran manager exhaled. "Alright, I'll admit it. You're the real deal."

Daisuke simply smiled. "I know."

In the post-match interview, reporters swarmed him.

"Coach Kurogane, does this win prove Blackhaven is ready for promotion?"

Daisuke's answer was simple.

"It's not about proving anything. We're here to win. That's all."

The world had taken notice.

Blackhaven wasn't a fluke.

They were coming for the top.