Chapter 220 Ultimate Showdown X
Although they had prevented a possible threatening situation just now, that didn't mean they were completely safe. The threat was still lingering around them as they had an impending corner to defend against.
Thus, they still had to keep their guards up and prepare accordingly to face the corner.
And as one of the opposing player began to march towards the corner to take the corner kick, players of both the teams started to position themselves inside the penalty box of Kawasaki.
For that corner almost every single one of the opposing players had came forward, even though it wasn't even the last corner kick of the match. Those opposing players were currently swarming inside the penalty box of Kawasaki like ants gathered for a feast.
And because of that faces of most players of Kawasaki looked quited tensed at the moment.
Giving command to his fellow teammates, Shun was standing in an alert position right beside one of the left pole while facing the set-piece taker.
His jersey smeared with dirt and his eyes looking a little restless, clearly even Shun was affected by the pressure of the opposing team.
However even in that moment, he still hadn't lost his cool.
Along with commanding his team to cover up the vacant spaces, he was also trying to figure out the intention of the set-piece taker.
Where will he pass?
Will he play a short pass?
Will he deliver a long pass?
Such were the thoughts which were running on Shun's mind right now.
The opposing set-piece taker then launched the ball inside the box. Players of both the team leaped upwards as they competed for the ball. However the one who reached the ball before anyone else was Shun.
Leaving his position, he punched the ball away as he once again prevented an impending danger.
As the ball flew outside the penalty box, Ryotaro who wasn't at the penalty box and was at the centre circle sprinted towards the direction of ball as he shot a powerful volley from outside the box.
May be it was because he put too much force on the ball or may be he simply couldn't connect well, whatever be the reason, his shot went astray as it flew over the post, into the stands behind the post.
Crowds of people who were seated behind the post tried to head or punch the ball as they let out an euphoric and disappointed roar.
"Ahhh!!"
"Someone has to remind Ryotaro that he's not playing American football right now, hahahah" commentator made a sarcastic comment as he tried to crack a joke to alleviate the mood in the stadium.
Witnessing the ball flying above the post, Ryotaro made an ugly expression as he disappointedly clicked his tongue,"Tch-" before returning back to his position.
After that for some while, game went into a complete stalement as neither side succeeded in scoring another goal.
Until the 77th minute of the match, it was anybody's game. Although statistically speaking, Kawasaki were dominating the match, they still hadn't been able to find the back of the net.
Despite both team failing to score another goal, fans weren't bored either. The match was just too fierce and exciting for anybody to feel boredom, despite the lack of goals.
Then at 77th minute of the match, a potential goal scoring opportunity presented itself as Hiro received a long ball from Akihiro.
It was pass most players couldn't trap. However to Hiro who had an excellent ball control receiving passes like this was child's play.
Breaking through the defense of opposing midfielders, once again Hiro came face to face against Ryotaro.
Having learnt from his past mistakes, this time Ryotaro didn't rush forward all alone, instead he gestured two of his fellow defenders behind to charge towards Hiro while he maintained his distance and kept guard.
While moving the ball forward, Hiro rolled his eyes to his left and right as he tried to look for his teammates and possible openings.
If those two defender came at him at the same, as long as he was not physically pushed or fouled, he was confident that he could dribble past those two defenders.
However even if he managed to evade those two defenders, there was still a mountain lile figure infront of him.
Already in a bitter mood because of that last shot which he made, Ryotaro Imamura was fiercely staring at Hiro. Just like a hungry tiger waiting to initiate it's attack, Ryotaro was glaring at Hiro while also keeping a solemn facade.
'What if I strugglingly dribble past these two defenders and use my skill to catch him off-guard?' Instantly thought Hiro as he failed to find any spot open.
Hiro then tried to dribble past those two defenders without using any flashy skills. He pretended like he was struggling to get past those two defenders to deceive Ryotaro who was observing the situation from behind, patiently waiting for a perfect moment to make his move.
But just as he got past those two defenders, Ryotaro slid down as he tried to tackle Hiro.
Hiro who was just about to use his skill "Lightning Steps" had to alter his plan at the nick of time.
He wasn't expecting such a rough tackle from Ryotaro out of nowhere. He had planned to deceive him to lower his guard, that's why he struggled to get past those two defenders, even though he could get past them with ease.
Fortunately he made a quick decision as he leaped upwards the figure of sliding Ryotaro while also lifting the ball above effortlessly.
For a moment it seemed liked the ball was glued to his feet. And the way he spread his arms made him look like an eagle soaring high in the sky.
Hiro then safely landed behind Ryotaro as he avoided the reach of Ryotaro.
But just as he landed, he noticed the two other opposing fullbacks rushing towards him.
At the same time the opposing keeper was also closing in towards him. At this moment even if he used his skill Lightning Steps, he'd probably get tackled by the opposing keeper even if he did managed to evade those two fullbacks.
His other teammates were all behind him and Tatsuki who was the only person infront of him was in an offside position as well.
He had no other choice but to shoot the ball. Well he could also have chosen to close the distance between him and keeper, eventually tricking the opposing keeper and dribbling past him, thereafter scoring an easy goal.
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