Trial(2)

The scenario drill turned out to be one of the toughest drills that David would ever witness. He thought that you would just be placed in random scenarios with loopholes to get out of them but after witnessing the first two players perform the drills, it was obvious to him that they weren't playing around at all, not even in the slightest.

The first person who went up had his back to goal, with a defender shouldering him away from it. There were three other defenders on the same line as him and he was to somehow get a shot away. He managed to get past the first defender but he couldn't get past the other three who went on him at the same time. At the end, the player couldn't do anything but let himself get swept under the collective challenges from the defenders.

Everyone sucked in some air when the defenders landed their challenges on him. They were very aggressive when doing it. One had to note that the defenders that were called were also on trial so they wouldn't want to be danced through so easily.

"That one's going to hurt". Caleb said to David who turned his head to face him. He didn't know that Caleb was standing next to him so hearing his voice sound from beside him startled him a bit but he didn't show any reaction. It would take a lot more than that to make him lose his composure.

"You're a forward as well?" David asked.

"Attacking midfielder". Caleb said. "But we were asked to stand with the forwards so here I am".

"Ohh.. that figures". David muttered under his breath. He and Caleb continued spectating the various players that were called out to participate, occasionally flinching when very rough tackles were made.

Soon it was David's turn. He was to meet a coach in the sidelines who was to explain to him the objective of his scenario.

"Alright lad, you're a winger?" 

Once David reached where the coach was standing, the coach wrapped his hands around David's neck and started talking to him.

"Yes". David nodded.

"Left or right?"

"Anywhere to be honest. It doesn't really matter much". David shrugged.

His answer made the coach smile. "Versatile, I like it. Anyways, you'll be operating from the right in this scenario and you'll be performing it with a partner. 

As soon as he finished talking, a boy about sixteen years of age walked towards where David and the coach were standing

The boy that walked up beside David was lean, slightly taller than him, with a sharp gaze that gave off an air of quiet confidence. His short, dark hair was damp with sweat, and his jersey clung to his frame, showing that he'd already been put through his paces. He didn't look at David at first, only nodding at the coach.

"This my partner?" the boy asked, glancing at David with a raised eyebrow.

"That's right," the coach confirmed. "David, meet Omar. Omar, David. You two will be working together for this scenario. Listen carefully, because you'll need to make this count."

David and Omar exchanged a quick nod, though neither made an effort to shake hands. There wasn't time for that, and besides, there was no point pretending they were best mates just yet.

"Alright, lads, here's the situation," the coach continued, stepping onto the field as he gestured towards the setup. "David, you'll be receiving the ball on the right wing. Omar, you'll be making a late run into the box. You've got one fullback marking you tight, and as soon as you receive the ball, another center-back will close you down. Your job is to create an opening and deliver a ball to Omar, who will be making a diagonal run between the defenders. Simple enough?"

David nodded. It sounded straightforward, but he knew that nothing was ever as easy as it seemed.

"You'll only get one chance," the coach warned. "Make it count."

David took a deep breath and jogged into position. He flexed his fingers, shaking off the stiffness in his arms, then adjusted his stance. The ball was played into him, zipping across the grass at pace.

His first touch was clean, a controlled stop with the inside of his boot. But no sooner had he settled the ball than he felt the fullback pressing into him, his presence looming like a shadow.

David pivoted, trying to shield the ball, but the defender was aggressive, shoving a forearm into his back. He gritted his teeth, feeling the pressure, but stayed composed. He had to think fast.

A quick glance into the box showed Omar making his move. He was angling his run between the two defenders, giving David just a second or two to make the right decision.

David feinted to drive down the line, and as expected, the fullback bit, shifting his weight to cut off the run. That was the moment David had been waiting for.

With a sharp flick of his boot, he dragged the ball back inside, cutting onto his left foot. The center-back was already rushing toward him, but the slight delay had given him just enough time.

Without hesitating, he whipped a cross into the box.

The ball curled beautifully, swinging away from the keeper but dropping perfectly into the space between the two defenders.

Omar was there.

He timed his jump well, rising above his markers and twisting his body mid-air. His forehead met the ball cleanly, sending it bulleting toward the goal.

The keeper reacted late. The shot was too precise, nestling into the far corner of the net.

A sharp whistle cut through the air.

David exhaled, his chest rising and falling as he turned to jog back.

"Not bad," Omar said, walking up beside him. His tone was neutral, but there was a flicker of respect in his eyes. "Ball was good."

"You made the run," David replied simply.

The coach gave an approving nod. "Decent execution, boys. Now, let's see how the others handle theirs."

David took his place back in line, his heart still pumping from the exertion. He could feel Caleb's eyes on him from the side.

"That was clean," Caleb remarked. "Didn't think you had a left foot like that."

David just shrugged. "Had to use it."

The drills continued. Some players struggled, losing the ball under pressure or misplacing their final pass. Others performed well, showing flashes of individual brilliance. The competition was tight, and the margin for error was razor-thin. Caleb also completed his drill with relative ease. He was to slip a ball through for a striker. According to him, through balls were his specialty so he was basically given a free pass.

After nearly an hour of scenario-based drills, the coaches called for a break. The players shuffled toward the water station, some gulping down water, others bending over with hands on their knees, catching their breath.

David grabbed a bottle and took a slow sip, his mind still replaying his performance. He felt like he'd done well, but he didn't know whether it was enough, and it made him nervous.

"You look like you're thinking too much," Caleb said, leaning against a post. "It's just football, mate. You either ball out or you don't."

David smirked. "Easy to say when all you had to do was give a pass."

Caleb laughed. "Fair enough." He tilted his head. "But you're doing alright. Better than half the guys here, at least."

David appreciated the words, but he wasn't the type to get ahead of himself. There was still a long way to go.

A few minutes later, the head coach gathered everyone around.

"Listen up," he called out, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "We're moving into the final phase of the trial—the match segment. This is your last chance to prove yourselves before we make our selections."

The group tensed. Some players exchanged glances. This was the moment they had all been waiting for.

"We'll be splitting you into two teams," the coach continued. "Some of you won't make it past this stage. Play like your spot depends on it—because it does."

The lineups were read out. David was placed on the right wing again, alongside Omar and Caleb, who would be playing as an attacking midfielder.

As he walked onto the pitch, he could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on him.

This was it. The real test.

No more drills. No more staged scenarios.

Just football.

And he had to show them that he belonged.