Chapter 198 Winning mentality
Just as Shun spoke those words, something perked up inside Hiro.
He realised how wrong he was to think that his friend had lost his fighting spirit. Although he looked devastated, he hadn't lost even a bit of his fighting spirit.
The flame inside him had dimmed but it hadn't been extinguished yet.
And even though he had approached Shun with the intention of cheering him up, Shun's words actually cheered him instead.
Hiro then nodded his head as he spoke, "Yeah let's give our best."
While saying those words, suddenly he realised something. He realised how devastated Yutaka would be feeling right now with his D+ mentality.
Hiro then immediately shifted his gaze towards Yutaka. Looking at the direction of Yutaka, his premonition did actually come true.
Sulking his head, Yutaka was anxiously biting his nails. His countenance ghastly pale, he had a worried look on his face.
Not only Yutaka but more than 5 or 6 players of his team were in the same state as Yutaka. They all looked like zombies in jerseys who had lost their will to play any further.
As if they were praying for the match to end right away, they all had an anxious look on their faces.
However there were still some players who looked a lot better compared to the rest.
As much as it pained to concede that goal, it also gave Hiro the opportunity to see the real colours of his teammates.
Analysing and taking everything into account, he finally knew about the players he needed to continue the game.
As there's a saying, "A person with winning mentality sees opportunity even in adversaries."
And by no means Hiro had a loser mentality in this present life. Although his previous life was a different story. In this present life, after coming this far, he had both the skills and healthy body of which the former he lacked in his previous life.
With less than 5 minutes remaining on the clock for the first half to end, Hiro began to rummage his mind to think of a strategy to turn the table.
However he was also aware of his limits, so he wasn't overstating his capabilities. With the available players, it was near to impossible to completely turn the table.
At most he could only slightly reduce the dominance of opposing team.
But right now he couldn't do anything. Afterall they'd have to resume the game immediately thus giving him no time to talk to his teammates.
Hiro could only sigh deeply while looking at the pathetic scene taking place infront of him. Right now he was like a puppet king without any power.
Even so he couldn't simply watch while keeping his hands folded. Afterall he was still the captain of the team.
So before the start of the match, he gave a short message to all the players of his team, "Let's all defend until the end of first half."
Beep!!
The game then resumed normally with referee's whistle as every player got to their respective positions.
National U-23 team as aggressive and flawless as ever, they continued to attack for the next five minutes giving Hiro's team no break to regain their composure.
Showering Shun with shot after shot, they went on full offense. Coupled with the morale boost which they had attained after that goal from Kein, they were even more lethal now.
Even so they couldn't take the lead.
As instructed by Hiro, everybody from Hiro's team played defensively for the next 5 minutes. And even though their form didn't improve, they still somehow prevented the opposing team from scoring another goal and taking the lead.
By the time the first half came to an end, almost every player of Hiro's team looked like surviving soldiers who had returned from the battlefield after a fierce battle.
Sweat dripping from their body, their faces smeared with dirt and some with their legs wobbling, they looked extremely exhausted.
Especially Shun, his condition was way terrible than the rest.
Diving constantly and making that many saves, some part of his body were bruised. Even part of his green coloured jersey was tainted with blood.
With his sweat invading his minor cut wounds and his body very sore, he looked like he was in lot of pain.
Although he didn't let out a single moan of pain, Hiro could notice Shun pursing his lips and gritting his teeths.
Hiro's condition wasn't better either. After dropping deep, he had to throw his body countless times to prevent the opposing team from scoring goal.
For the first time in his life, he had played a game while putting his life on the line.
National U-23 team on the other hand looked a lot better than Hiro's team. Although their jerseys were drenched in sweat and some of them even looked exhausted, however most of them looked like they were still full of energy.
And as the players walked out of the pitch, some medics walked towards both the side to treat the injured players.
Nobody had expected that a simple friendly game to select the players for U-17 team would turn this intense.
Even the selecters were amazed by the tenaciousness and perseverance shown by Hiro, Shun and few other players of Hiro's team.
The sky a mixture of black and blue, sun's rays were already dimmed as it was on the verge of setting down completely.
Mist like white clouds were floating in the sky. Stars and moon had finally come out of their hiding while the sky was turning darker.
Just when Hiro was looking at the sky and thinking how peaceful the sky looked, sudden bright light coming from the floodlights made him squint his eyes.
And as the floodlights were turned on, once again the ground was illuminated brightly.
The ground wasn't the only thing which the floodlights illuminated, his mind was also illuminated as he remembered that he had a job to do.
Hiro then walked infront of his teammates while the medics were treating the injured players.
Even the players who were not looking infront were drawn by Hiro's silhouette as they noticed Hiro's elongated shadow falling towards them.
Looking at Hiro's lonely figure, they started to wonder about Hiro's announcement. They could very well telll that he stood infront of them to speak something.
His expression solemn and his tone full of vigor, Hiro spoke, "Most of you may think that it's impossible to win against National U-23 team, but I very much disagree with that thought. They were dominant but since the beginning of the match we were in the lead."
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m