SWISH!
The ball dropped into the goal. Suk had scored with a brilliant chip shot.
"Beautiful!"
Mulinar couldn't help but shout.
It was a link-up between Suk and Modric, a perfect give-and-go.
Suk's perfectly timed forward run connected with Modric's through ball to create the goal.
The goal made Modric look at Suk with surprise once again.
Previously, Suk had said his ability to make forward runs was good, but Modric hadn't paid much attention at the time.
But this goal proved it.
But beyond that, Suk's ability to always shake off defenders was also an impressive skill.
"That's all for today!"
Oripé clapped his hands and called out.
Everyone gradually walked to the sidelines.
Suk pulled off his jersey, casually wiped the sweat from his brow, then ladled two bowls of water from a nearby bucket, handing one to Modric.
"If only you were on our team. We could definitely get promoted to the first division, maybe even the Super League."
Modric took the cup, remaining silent. He clearly didn't know how to respond.
Suk smiled. "This Saturday is our last league match. After the game, it's time to get back to work."
Modric was surprised. "The last match? So soon?"
It was only mid-April. How could the league season be ending already?
Apparently, Modric didn't know about the unique structure of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Second League.
After Suk explained it again, Modric finally understood. He nodded slightly and said no more.
Suk didn't press the matter. He was actually really looking forward to the final match on Saturday.
Besides testing his current abilities and new tactics, the post-match card draw opportunity and the abundant season-end reward draws were incredibly enticing to him.
Based on his last experience, the season-end reward draws usually yielded some very good cards.
"How are things with your team now?"
Suk asked casually.
Modric was silent for a moment before saying, "We don't have a chance to compete for the title this season."
The current situation for Mostar Zrinjski wasn't great. They were being out-pressured by the capital's Sarajevo Football Club, and the point gap was too large. They had no hope of winning the title.
"And you?"
Suk pressed.
Modric: "I'll keep working hard. Next season should be better."
His words implied that things weren't going too well for him.
Suk nodded. "Don't rush it."
Just then, Oripé stood in front of a truck and waved to Suk. "Time for us to go."
Suk immediately shouted back, "Coming!"
With that, he turned to Modric with a smile. "I've got to go. I have to work later. If you have time, you can come watch our match."
Then, without waiting for a response, he turned and ran off.
Modric watched as Suk jumped onto the truck. Amidst a cloud of dust, the truck disappeared from view.
Only then did Modric whisper, "Saturday, huh?"
...
Finding a job was an especially difficult task, particularly for a minor like Suk.
There was a machinery factory near Mostar that was hiring, but those kinds of jobs were hot commodities. It wasn't Suk's turn; even the locals were fighting to get in.
For Suk, the best option was a job that didn't require signing a contract—in other words, working under the table.
Mostar's economic output was low, and its economy was largely based on tourism.
Over the past year, Suk had tried being a tour guide, a dockworker, a dishwasher, a waiter, and even a street performer.
Basically, he'd done any trade that could earn him money, but it was still hard to make ends meet. Life was tight.
Fortunately, many restaurants were hiring recently. After all, with the FIFA World Cup approaching, the local bars would become the go-to places for the townspeople to watch the games.
For example, Mostar Wanderers' goalkeeper, Buckqi, had already started converting his shop into a bar.
However, the renovation process was a hands-on affair.
BANG! BANG! BANG!!
The sound of hammering.
Suk sat sideways on a beam, a hammer in his gloved hand and two nails clenched between his teeth. He was installing a television mount onto a support pillar.
After hammering in the last three nails, Suk shouted down, "How's the angle?"
Below, Buckqi tilted his head left and right to look, then gave a thumbs-up. "Looks great."
Suk grinned. "Of course! I was Mulinar's apprentice, you know!"
As the only carpenter in town, Mulinar's craftsmanship was excellent and well-regarded by the townspeople.
And Suk had worked for him before.
Bracing himself with his hands, Suk scooted over to the support pillar, wrapped his arms around it, and nimbly climbed down.
CLAP! CLAP!
Suk dusted off his hands. "I helped you with the renovations for free, so don't forget your promise. Hire me during the FIFA World Cup."
"I know, I know!" Buckqi replied dismissively, then pointed to the door. "Assemble the light fixture outside, then wipe down all the tables. That'll cover your dinner for tonight."
Hearing he could get a free meal, Suk immediately gave a mock salute.
"Roger that!"
He turned and scurried out, and soon the clanging sounds of work began at the entrance.
Buckqi smiled at Suk's retreating back, then turned to get busy with his own tasks.
The renovation of Buckqi Tavern was quick. Under Mulinar's guidance, Buckqi's direction, and Suk's labor, the work was completed in just four days.
The former restaurant had been transformed into something resembling a medieval tavern.
It had a smoked-wood structure, faint lights twinkling from the ceiling, a plaque bearing the name 'Buckqi Tavern,' and two large wooden barrels by the entrance for decoration.
Even before entering, you could smell the rich aroma of rum.
Looking at the fruits of their four days of labor, the three men were quite satisfied.
The townspeople passing by were also sizing up the tavern, clearly scouting for the best place to watch the FIFA World Cup.
"The renovation's done. The match is tomorrow, so you all should get some rest."
Mulinar waved his hand, preparing to leave.
Suk turned his head and shouted, "Don't forget your promise! Play for another half-season!"
Mulinar waved back from a distance and smiled, which served as his answer.
Buckqi glanced at Suk, who hadn't left yet, and couldn't help but say, "Shouldn't you be going?"
"Heartless!" Suk turned and retorted. "Your employee is starving. Isn't it time for dinner?"
Buckqi grinned. "You haven't even started working yet, and how many meals have you already scrounged off me?"
Suk pointed at the tavern. "I put in plenty of work here."
Buckqi shook his head. "Come on in."
Buckqi's cooking was actually quite good. Although there was no meat, Suk still got a filling meal.
After eating, Suk didn't linger. He dusted himself off and left.
After all, the final match was tomorrow.
...
「The next day」
Pasture Stadium was once again filled with fans.
However, the crowd was a bit smaller than usual. It was likely because the busy season was approaching, and between work and the pastime of watching football, they had chosen the former.
Even so, there were still over 100 fans.
For a Second Division League team, this was a very respectable number of supporters.
As usual, Oripé moved through the crowd, collecting ticket money. This was the main source of funding for the team's next season, covering away game travel, accommodation, and more...
The final match was a home game, which was great news for Suk and the others.
The bad news was that they were playing against Leotar, the team currently in first place in the Second Division League and preparing for promotion to the first division.
This was a team that had just been formed this year and was in a league of its own.
Compared to the other Second Division teams just going through the motions, Leotar was full of ambition. They were aiming for the Super League.
Their club structure was relatively complete, their finances were on par with Super League teams, and they even had a dedicated coaching staff and a group of formidable players.
It was safe to say that in terms of overall quality, Mostar Wanderers and Leotar were not in the same class.
It was like the difference between a ragtag militia and a regular army.
Leotar had already secured the championship and confirmed their promotion, so they were under no pressure for this match.
They were treating this final match more like a game.
Of course, they had a very deep impression of the Mostar Wanderers.
This team had given them quite a bit of trouble on their path to the championship.
Especially that short number 9, Suk, and the core midfielder, number 10, Mulinar.
"Hey! Suk, try and get past me!"
A sudden shout rang out.
From Leotar's lineup, a burly man of about 190 centimeters was taunting the Mostar Wanderers' side—or more specifically, he was taunting only Suk.
This was Leotar's center-back, Unovic. Just like his massive frame and brutish face, he was a heavyweight player.
However, in their last encounter, Suk had scored three goals against this guy's defense, completing a hat-trick.
Leotar had even been in deep trouble for a while thanks to Suk's brilliant performance.
Fortunately for them, Mostar's "super sieve" had done his job. A case of butterfingers and a fumbled save allowed the other team to tie the score.
But even so, for Unovic, Suk was still the one who had brought him a history of humiliation.
Faced with the taunt, Suk gave him a cool glance and casually held up three fingers.
Seeing this, Unovic grew even more furious. "You won't score a single goal in this match!"
Unovic was furious, but his teammates beside him were roaring with laughter.
They were clearly enjoying their teammate's predicament.
"Alright, final prep time. Just like we practiced, let's show them a different tactical style," Oripé said, then continued, "Don't feel too much pressure. Just treat it like a friendly match."
Everyone nodded.
Suk tightened his socks and followed his teammates onto the field.
The fans in the stands were already letting out waves of cheers.
For a small town lacking in entertainment, the weekly football matches were the moment they savored most.
On Saturdays, there was the Mostar Wanderers match.
On Sundays, there was the Mostar Zrinjski match.
Of course, compared to the currently stagnant Mostar Zrinjski, the Mostar Wanderers—despite playing in the Second Division League—always managed to give their fans different kinds of surprises. Their matches were also more intense, which was one of the reasons for the Mostar Wanderers' booming popularity.