Chapter 189 About time
"Show us what you're made of," Coach Nami's words echoed in Kan's ears.
"She's referring to you, dude," remarked one of the attackers, a tall and muscular guy with a mocking smile and a thick mustache above his mouth.
Without uttering a word, Kan turned his face away from the taunt. As he began to walk, he caught Emily's eyes fixed on him. Their eyes met, and she smiled, giving him a reassuring thumbs-up.
Encouraged by Emily's gesture, Kan smiled back at her and proceeded to the spot where the first attacker stood.
"Go!" Coach Nami's shout echoed, and the official outside kicked the ball with the same accuracy towards Kan. Time seemed to slow as the ball approached him, and a wave of uncertainty washed over him.
"What if I make a mistake? What if Coach loses interest in me?" Kan thought, battling his own doubts.
However, he quickly shook off the fear, reminding himself, "No! This isn't something to be scared about. I can do this!" Encouraging himself, Kan prepared to showcase his skills with determination.
As the ball approached Kan with precision, he focused intensely, channeling the encouragement from Emily and his internal resolve.
With a swift movement, he skillfully controlled the ball using the top of his foot, displaying a surprising finesse.
Taking a breath, Kan then unleashed a powerful kick, sending the ball hurtling toward the goalpost with accuracy.
The goalkeeper, agile and alert, anticipated the strike. With a lightning-fast reaction, he leaped and extended his arms, managing to punch the ball forcefully outside the goal area.
The echoing impact resonated through the air, highlighting the skillful exchange between Kan and the goalkeeper.
"Fuck!" Kan whispered slightly as his shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, a sudden disappointed look crossing his face.
He sighed heavily before turning back to his original position. As he walked back, Coach Nami was clapping and smiling at him.
"That's a nice try; you can do better next time," Coach Nami encouraged him.
However, the attacker with the mustache wasn't as kind. "That wasn't nice at all. You did really awful; you're a disappointment. Even a non-football player can do better," he taunted, making jest of Kan.
Anger welled up in Kan, but he restrained himself, avoiding a confrontation to stay in Coach Nami's good graces.
As the guy continued his taunts, Coach Nami pointed at him. "You're next, Alfred," she said.
Alfred, the guy with the mustache, smirked at Kan, saying, "Watch and learn, novice." Kan scoffed at the arrogance, wondering why Alfred seemed so confident.
Alfred positioned himself in the center of the pitch, waiting for the ball. The official kicked the ball towards him, and Alfred, eager to strike, controlled the ball hastily.
He planted his foot and unleashed a powerful shot at the goalkeeper. The shot had power but lacked accuracy, unlike Kan's precise attempt.
The ball went straight to the goalkeeper, who effortlessly held it with one hand. Laughter erupted, with the goalkeeper joining in. "That was real awful, mate," he shouted, fueling the collective amusement.
Alfred walked back to join Kan, muttering uncertain words with a mix of disappointment and anger in his eyes. Despite this, he scanned around, giving those who laughed at him an angry look.
Joining Kan and the others, Alfred started complaining to no one in particular. "I bet there was something wrong with the ball. It hasn't been properly inflated, I believe, or maybe it was overinflated," he asserted.
"I believe the official that kicked the ball didn't do it properly, might have over-twisted the ball, that's why it went that way. No one can even score with that type of ball."
"You're next, Wick," Coach Nami announced, pointing at Wick. Wick, with his usual nonchalant demeanor, walked to the pitch and stood still, waiting for the official to kick the ball.
"This dude will definitely not play the ball perfectly considering how lax he is. Letting him play is just a waste of time," Alfred continued ranting.
As the official kicked the ball to Wick, it came straight to him. Without moving a muscle, Wick calmly awaited the ball.
"What's he trying to do?" Alfred asked curiously.
As the ball approached, Wick moved his feet backward in an unusual manner. Then, in a surprising move, he jumped up and met the ball in the air, controlling it without his feet touching the ground.
Still mid-air, Wick unleashed a thunderous shot that caught the goalkeeper off guard. The ball moved with great power and precision, heading straight to the top corner. The goalkeeper, barely seeing the ball, didn't even attempt to dive.
The ball hit the net with a resounding sound. While experienced players weren't surprised by Wick's performance, the new players were in awe of his exceptional skill.
Coach Nami, unsurprised by the performance, clapped as she did for the other players. Alfred, initially doubtful, stood watching in astonishment, eyes fixed on Wick as he rejoined them. Wick's display left Alfred speechless, and other attackers, attempting to replicate, struggled with no successful shots.
When defenders took their turn, some performed well. Midfielders also executed their tasks, observed by their teammates. Emily excelled, skillfully dribbling past defenders and passing the ball to the official outside, as customary.
After the session, Coach Nami stood before the team again, expressing satisfaction, "I'm pleased with your performances in the first round today.
Some of you did well, while others need additional training to improve. You can choose to train individually at home, focusing on your respective positions. There are various balls in the store; make sure not to misplace any," she urged.
Highlighting a need for free-kick takers, Coach Nami asked the players. A sudden silence ensued, players exchanging looks. After a few moments, Emily boldly raised her hand. Coach Nami, furrowing her brows, looked away. "Anybody?" she inquired once more, met with silence. Eventually, she sighed and called upon Emily, who approached for a conversation.
"We've discussed this, remember? No powerful long-range shots or excessive dribbling, or you might risk injuring yourself again," Coach Nami cautioned Emily.
"But Mum, I'm already healed, look," Emily explained, demonstrating with a powerful kick to the ground. Coach Nami sighed and responded, "Just forget it. I will find another person among the players who can handle it."
"Wick can't do that, remember? The only person that might be able to do it is Kan, the other striker," Emily suggested, describing Kan's capabilities.
"Yeah, I know him. Why then didn't he raise his hand?" Coach Nami asked.
"I don't really know. But he might also be good if you're not using me," Emily replied.
Coach Nami sighed, replying to Emily, "Go back; let me give a brief demonstration first." Emily walked back to join the other players.
"Some of you might be good at taking free kicks, and you don't even know it. I'm ready to explore the free-kick skills in you! Watch and learn," Coach Nami announced.
She gestured to the other goalkeeper, indicating him to enter the goal post, and he complied. Placing a ball before her, she moved it back to a considerable distance from the goal post.
Coach Nami, standing confidently at almost the center of the pitch, adjusted the ball with precision. With a focused expression, she took a step back, measuring her distance meticulously. The players watched in anticipation as Coach Nami, displaying finesse, approached the ball with a smooth stride.
In a swift motion, she executed a perfect side-foot kick, sending the ball soaring through the air. The players witnessed the ball's trajectory, arcing gracefully towards the top corner of the goal.
With pinpoint accuracy, it struck the net with a resounding thud despite the goalkeepers attempt to stop it, leaving everyone in awe.
"Next!" Coach Nami shouted, signaling the first goalkeeper to step up. The first goalkeeper briskly walked into the goalpost, making way for the second who positioned himself outside.
"I will try the other goalkeeper and see which one is better among them," Coach Nami declared as the second goalkeeper entered the scene. The ball was passed back to her, and she meticulously placed it exactly where it had been initially.
Coach Nami, demonstrating versatility, prepared for the free kick with a poised stance.
Instead of the side of her foot, she opted for the top, showcasing a different technique. As she approached the ball, there was a hushed anticipation among the players.
With a powerful strike, the ball soared from the left side to the right in a calculated trajectory, leaving the goalkeeper momentarily bewildered.
Despite the goalkeeper leaping and managing to lay his fingers on the ball, the sheer force and precision behind Coach Nami's kick proved insurmountable.
The ball found its way into the net, scoring a remarkable goal that left the players in admiration of Coach Nami's skillful execution.
She walked back to the amused players and explained, "The second technique I used is special. It requires using the top of your foot. The ball changes direction mid-air, thereby confusing the goalkeeper. It works most of the time," she shared, earning nods of understanding from the players.
"Whoever scores a goal from the distance like me and with the same technique will have an upper hand to qualify for the upcoming competition," Coach Nami declared, causing a murmur of excitement in the crowd. Eager to try it, the players prepared for the challenge.
"You all have 2 trials!" she added, injecting a sense of competition into the atmosphere.
"Are you up for the challenge?"
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