Chapter 149 Set piece taker...
The crowd erupted into a chorus of cheers, heralding the arrival of the supersub, Wick and Kan beside him.
A chant of "All hail the supersub!" echoed through the air as the injured player, supported on a stretcher, and Emily made their way out of the pitch. Wick and Kan stood in anticipation, waiting for the official exit of the departing players before they could make their entrance. The unspoken rule of not invading the pitch mid-game was to be respected.
"Still some similarities, I see," Kan noted the semblance of the rule of the game with how it was played his past life.
As Emily approached, her gaze avoided Kan, a subtle gesture he noted but decided to overlook. His focus was fixed on winning her favor to advance his quest and ascend to the next level.
Once the injured player and Emily had safely left the pitch, Wick and Kan darted onto the field, ready to fill the void left by their teammates. The tactical change altered the formation, with Kan taking on the role of an attacking midfielder to compensate for Emily's absence and leverage his proficiency with both feet and owing that he's also a forward.
The referee had already signaled a foul in favor of Kan's team, placing the ball near the center line of the opposing team's half. Positioned strategically, Kan awaited the pass from his teammate, poised for an imminent attack.
However, a confounding turn of events unfolded. Instead of facing towards Kan to play the ball, his teammate unexpectedly directed it back to Wick, stationed in front of their own goal post. Kan's perplexity mounted as he questioned the sanity of this decision.
"What the fuck is this? Why is Wick standing here? Is he one of those hyped but useless players?" Kan pondered, struggling to comprehend the sudden shift in the team's dynamics.
The referee's whistle marked the resumption of play, and to Kan's dismay, the ball was redirected towards Wick. A sense of disbelief enveloped Kan as he witnessed Wick, seemingly in defiance of conventional wisdom, moving the ball toward their own goal.
"What in the actual fuck is he doing?!!"
"Is he about to score an own goal? What's going on? Hey, stop him!" Kan exclaimed, his frustration palpable.
However, the other players seemed unfazed, suggesting this might be a strategic move.
Wick brought the ball to a stop right in front of their goal post, and then, with a sudden twist, he turned to face the pitch. Leaving the ball behind, he stepped back, creating the perfect space for a powerful kick.
Kan, still bewildered, sought an explanation from a grinning defender who stood by. "What's he trying to do?"
"He's just warming up," the defender replied simply.
As Wick prepared for the shot, a hush fell over the pitch. With eyes closed and a deep breath, he took a step back, mounting his right foot in front, he jumped up and unleashed a thunderous kick, sending the ball into the air. The ball soared through the air, tearing through the wind with unparalleled force. Its trajectory was swift, catching Kan off guard, and the opposing team's goalkeeper.
The ball hit the edge of the goal post, producing a whizzing sound before ascending high into the air and descending with a resounding thud. Wick's unconventional display had left the goalkeeper helpless, anticipating a direct shot on goal.
The opposing goalkeeper, anticipating a direct shot on goal, instinctively covered his face, fearing a collision that might lead to unconsciousness or worse.
Wick, undeterred, wore a satisfied smile, sauntering back to his position as if it were just another routine.
A new ball was brought onto the pitch instead of the old one. Kan was surprised and asked the defender, "Why won't they go and pick the previous ball instead of bringing in this new one?"
"That one is now not fit for play as it has already been torn, we're lucky enough that it didn't tear into tiny bits like some other days." Said the defender.
"Not the conventional way of taking a freekick and to be honest, less effective as well but...what do I know," Kan mumbled under his breath.
Enlightened by the defender, now Kan comprehended the need for multiple balls, given their wear and tear during intense matches.
With the new ball in play, the opposing team's goalkeeper initiated a goal kick. The match resumed, and the ball was swiftly controlled by an opposing player. Attempting to dribble past Wick, the opponent found himself overshadowed, and possession was swiftly regained.
Wick, with a keen eye, spotted Kan in an optimal position and passed the ball to him. To his surprise, Kan deftly controlled the ball, a testament to his latent skills despite the passage of time. Utilizing his speed, Kan outpaced the opposition, dodging their attempts at interception.
"The improved stats are really kicking in!" Kan said, seeing himself breeze past the helpless defenders.
"That guy they just subbed in is super fast, for an elf even!!" Someone in the opposing stance from Prinx college said.
As Kan ran, simultaneously, Wick positioned himself strategically, ready to capitalize on any loose balls or incoming crosses. The opposing team, struggling to match Kan's pace, could only watch as he surged forward, one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
As the audience held its collective breath, hoping for a solo goal from Kan, he executed a masterful play. Pushing the ball gently toward his left leg, he cleverly feigned a direct shot on goal, tricking the goalkeeper into a desperate attempt to block the imaginary trajectory.
In a swift move, Kan utilized the back of his left heel to play the ball backward. Wick, strategically positioned, received the ball and unleashed a powerful shot that found its mark, tearing through the net and scoring a spectacular goal.
The cheers from their teammates resonated across the pitch as they rushed to celebrate the successful play. Wick, jubilant, ran toward Kan and embraced him before other teammates joined the revelry.
"Not bad, newbie!" Wick said, embracing kan.
Pleased with their collaborative effort, Kan simply replied, "It's called teamwork."
Coach Nami, observing from the sidelines, couldn't help but smile. Her initial concern about a lack of strategic gameplay in Emily's absence was alleviated by the display of skill and coordination between Kan and Wick. Perhaps, she thought, there was untapped potential in her team that extended beyond her initial assessment.
As the referee's whistle pierced the air, signifying the resumption of play after Wick's spectacular goal, the opposing team initiated a meticulous sequence of passes among themselves. Conscious of Kan's formidable defenders, they sought a strategic opening to secure an equalizer and salvage their chances in the match.
The ball eventually found its way to the feet of the opposing team's star player, the same individual who had launched a powerful shot from the center of the pitch in the first half. With a keen eye for opportunity, he attempted another long-range shot, confident in the potency of his striking prowess. Little did he anticipate the prowess of Kan's goalkeeper.
In a swift and calculated move, the goalkeeper dove, clasping the ball securely with both hands. Rising swiftly to his feet, he wasted no time and threw the ball with precision to Kan, initiating a swift counter-attack.
True to form, Kan received the ball and embarked on a lightning-fast sprint. Exploiting the gaps left by the opponents' defenders, who had ventured forward in their attempt to thwart the attack, Kan moved with precision. In his wake, only two defenders remained—one desperately racing to impede Kan's advance, while the other tracked alongside Wick, who positioned himself strategically for the impending goal attempt.
As Kan approached the opposing team's goal, he prepared to unleash a shot that would potentially double the lead. The defender in his path executed a sliding tackle, determined to block the ball from reaching the goalkeeper.
In a moment of sublime skill, Kan adeptly feigned the shot, deftly placing his legs on the ball instead. The defender, committed to the slide, found himself lunging through thin air, missing the anticipated interception, sliding straight past Kan.
With newfound space and an opportunity to extend their lead, Kan, aware of the encroaching defenders, made a decisive move. Opting for a tactical play, he passed the ball back to Wick, who found himself in a promising position.
Wick, eager to capitalize on the opportunity, prepared to strike the ball within the penalty area. However, an opponent committed a foul on Wick, disrupting the play and prompting the referee to award a penalty kick to Kan's team. The referee approached the offender and raised his hand out to the air, showing a faint red glow which served as a stern warning to the offending defender.
Taking charge of the penalty, Wick placed the ball meticulously on the designated spot. The opposing goalkeeper, stationed between the goalposts, appeared apprehensive, perhaps wisely choosing not to confront the imminent challenge head-on.
The stakes were high, and the penalty kick presented a golden opportunity for Kan's team to further solidify their lead.
Wick, with a confident smile, turned to Kan and uttered the words, "Come and score your first goal for the club."
The stage was set for Kan to seize this defining moment. A hush fell over the pitch as he approached the ball, the opposing goalkeeper bracing himself for the impending strike.
"What if I miss this kick?"
"Why am I being entrusted with such a duty?! Will Emily be happy about this? I can't afford to miss this..... The goalkeeper looks pretty tactical, what if he blocks my shot?" Kan wondered as he stood still staring at the goalkeeper in the eyes.
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