“PRRRPP!!”
Julian immediately sprang forward the moment the whistle went off, sprinting deep into the opponents half.
The blue bibs started the kick-off, their center forward passing the ball to the attacking midfielder, who passed the ball back into the feet of one of their defensive midfielders.
‘Their actually listening to Coach Irene’s words and passing the ball.’ Julian thought as the defensive midfielder passed the ball to his fellow player in the same position.
‘This wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t said anything.’
If she kept quiet, then everyone would’ve resorted to selfish play, wanting to prove themselves at all costs.
The yellow team pressed immediately, eager to win the ball back.
The ball rolled to a left winger of the blue team, and Julian could already tell from the look in his eyes what he was about to do next.
‘He’s not going to pass.
I need to drop down to receive the pass when he loses the ball.’
Julian made his move instantly, quickly running to the middle of their half.
And true to Julian’s words, instead of passing to his midfielder to complete the overlap, the blue team’s left winger tried to go solo.
With a quick touch and turn, the winger pushed the ball passed the right back into the space behind him, before chasing after the ball.
But the yellow team’s defender was quicker, clearing the ball before the winger could reach it.
The ball fell to the yellow team’s attacking midfielder, and Julian immediately sprang into action, sprinting forward.
The attacking midfielder turned and spotted Julian’s run.
He rolled the ball into Julian’s path before his marker could close him down.
‘These kids really are elite.’
Honestly, he didn’t think that the attacking midfielder would be able to read his movements, much less pick out the pass.
A smile unconsciously spread across his face when he received the ball in the center, tapping it in front of him without losing momentum.
He lifted his head, analyzing his options, eyes moving fast across the field in front of him.
He brought his head down, tapping the ball forward again as he sprinted down the middle of the field with only the defense of the blue team and his fellow attackers ahead of him.
‘We’re on a counterattack.’ Julian’s mind moved fast, faster than he thought possible.
‘My striker is sprinting ahead of me–two defenders are with him.’
The image was clearly in his mind, as if he could still see it despite his gaze focusing on the ball at his feet.
‘My right winger is currently in a contest of speed against their left back, while their right back is closing in on me from the front.’
He tapped the ball forward again, continuing his run into the opponents half of the pitch.
‘I have two options: take on their right back or…’
Julian lifted his head.
Decision made.
He leaned back slightly and passed the ball to the wing, perfectly timed with when his right winger won the contest of speed against the right back, throwing a arm in front of him.
Julian continued his run, sprinting forward even faster now that he doesn’t have the ball on him anymore.
The right winger didn’t dally on the ball, passing it forward with his first touch, rolling it ahead of the striker at the side edge of the box.
Julian gritted his teeth as he pushed his legs to go faster, pulling ahead of the right back that was on him.
“Inside!”
The striker squared the ball without lifting his head, sending it to where the voice came from.
The defenders immediately turned and ran to the ball, intending to block the shot.
The ball rolled to Julian at the edge of the box.
He leaned back, threw his right hand up, and lifted his right foot.
The defenders lunged, throwing their whole bodies forward, committed to blocking the ball at all cost.
But the shot never came.
At least not when they thought it would.
Instead of shooting, Julian faked with the right, before rolling the ball back with his left foot, causing the defenders to lunged at thin air while the ball went the other direction.
Julian sacrificed precision for power, hitting the ball with the laces on top of his boot, sending it forward with speed.
The ball flew to the far side of the net, the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand got a touch, but it only served to push the ball up into the roof of the net.
“Haaa…” Julian released a breath he didn’t know he was holding, eyes locked on the ball in the opponents net, rolling before coming to a stop.
–ding–
[Finishing +(1)]
“PRRPP!!”
“1-0 to yellow!”
The referee’s sharp whistle and announcement followed soon after, signaling that the goal stands.
There was no celebration from anyone, not even the goal scorer himself, with everyone turning around and going back to their positions, eager to get the match going so that they can make a impact too.
“Nice goal, young Master Valecrest.”
The striker clasped a hand on Julian’s shoulder as they walked back to their positions, a smile on his face.
“Nice pass.” Julian nodded, returning the compliment.
********
“PRRRPP!!”
The blue team started the game again, but this time they looked more fierce and determined than before.
They’re forwards immediately ran into the yellow team’s half when the whistle blew.
The ball came to one of their defensive midfielders who kicked it forward with power, making it soar through the air before dropping to the right side.
The right winger of the blue team and the left back of the yellow team jumped for the ball, both wanting to win the aerial duel.
The taller left back came out on top, heading the ball out for a throw in.
The ball bounced against the fence and into the right winger’s hands who quickly took the throw in.
He threw the ball for the attacking midfielder who sneakily moved in behind the left back, leaving the whole right side exposed.
With a simple but confident touch, he rolled the ball into the gap in front of his own path before sprinting after it.
“Stop him!.”
The shout from one of the teammates caused the yellow team’s defender to leave his position and move to the attacking midfielder in a bid to stop the attack. This chapter was taken from novelping dot com without permission.
The midfielder faked the cross, making the defender turn his head and throw his body forward.
The midfielder cut the ball back into his left foot, his dominant foot.
And just as calmly as he took control of the ball and faked out the defender, the midfielder send a high cross into the yellow team’s box.
The cross was pinpoint, heading for the left winger, who made a straight forward and uncontested header into the back of the net.
“PRRPP!!”
“1-1”
“Yeeaah!!” The left winger celebrated, happy to make up for the blunder he made earlier.
‘It is the same kid.’
Julian thought as the attacking midfielder jogged back with the same bored expression, purple hair bouncing with every step he took, purple eyes staring at nothing.
‘The coach’s brother.’ A smile spread across Julian’s face.
‘I knew he was a baller.’
Meanwhile, the same boy’s eyes fell on Julian, noticing the smile on his face, making his facial expression change for a moment before instantly switching back.
********
“PRRRPP!!”
The yellow team kicked the ball off this time, their fighting spirit flaring after getting scored against.
The blue team pressed aggressively as soon as the game resumed, chasing after the ball immediately.
The yellow team’s defensive midfielder didn’t expect the sudden pressure and made a reckless pass forward when the nerves got to him.
“No!” Julian shouted, but it was too late.
The defensive midfielder saw the open attacking midfielder and tried to pass to him, but the ball was read perfectly and intercepted by the purple haired boy.
‘Idiot!’
Julian was too far away, so all he could do was watch.
The defensive midfielder, seeing his pass fail, tried to win the ball back, running towards the blue team’s attacking midfielder and committing to a slide tackle.
As calm and composed as always, the purple haired boy dribbled past him effortlessly, rolling the ball through his legs before jumping over the tackle.
As the ball rolled, the purple haired boy positioned himself next to it, his left foot went underneath the ball, lifting it with his toe.
The lofted pass sailed over the right team’s defense who weren’t quick enough to react.
The ball spun through the air as it dropped in front of the left winger.
The left winger striked the ball with his left foot before it could touch the grass.
The powerful volley left the goalkeeper powerless as it flew straight into the top corner, rattling the nets.
“PRRRPP!!”
“1-2 to blue.” The referee loudly announced.
“YEEAAHHH!!”
The blue team’s left winger’s shout was louder and more boisterous than before as he scored a beautiful second goal.