Chapter 224 Ultimate Showdown XIV
After hearing Kenta's question, Hiro started to rack his mind to think of an excuse which could not only mask his intentions but also convince his teammates.
Rolling his eyes to his left and right, he could clearly see the anxiousness and trepidation in the faces of his teammates.
Finally he thought of an excuse, "If even our opponents are trying their best to prevent the goal then shouldn't we also try hard to score? If we just respond halfheartedly then won't it look like we are mocking their efforts?"
His tone polite and his face solemn, while speaking such Hiro looked in the eyes of every teammates who were standing infront of him.
Immediately most of them retreated thier gazes as they locked eyes with Hiro.
Faced with Hiro's questions, how could they not be moved. Afterall their opponents were indeed trying hard to defend.
Even at the moment, they were all clustered inside the penalty box, strategically positioning themselves to prevent the goal.
And what were they doing at the moment? They were thinking of bottling the corner kick.
Pondering about Hiro's statement, they all subconsciously looked at the scene unfolding infront of their eyes. And as they noticed the efforts those opposing players were putting currently, they all felt ashamed of themselves.
Looking at their reaction, Hiro could tell that he had hit the nail.
'Let's strike the iron while it's still hot' Hiro mused inwardly.
"Whether we succeed to score or not, it depends on fate. But let us all give our best guys" mumbled Hiro as he tried to instigate his teammates to give their best.
"Yeah our captain's right guys. Whether we score or not, we should still give our best until the last moment" roared Akihiro as he declared his support for Hiro.
His eyes glowing and his voice full of passion, Akihiro seemed like he was full of vigor at the moment.
That feeling of burning passion which Akihiro was feeling at the moment proved to be extremely contagious as it immediately spread to other players who were present beside him at the moment.
And soon everyone rallied together as all of them agreed to Hiro's suggestion, "Yeah!! Let's give our best guys."
"Yeah!! Let's score another goal guys"
Determinedly yelled the players of Kawasaki who were gathered infront of Hiro. Their voices full of vigor, they were brimming with determination at the moment.
'Instead of getting angry at them a moment ago, if I had chosen this route I wouldn't have looked bad in their eyes' sighed Hiro inwardly as he regretted his earlier actions.
Then again he smiled as he felt his plan succeeding.
All of them then rushed towards the penalty box with a fire burning in their hearts and eyes. They were all hungry for another goal.
On the other hand, Hiro before leaving his spot, whispered something in Kenta's ear.
Probably he asked Kenta to supply him the cross. But since nobody heard it, who knows what he said?
Just like all his teammates, Hiro then positioned himself infront of the goal-post.
Despite it being probably the last corner of the match, Shun had still stayed behind to prepare for any counterattacks. He simply couldn't let his guard down.
Kenta then before kicking the ball raised his hands gesturing something.
That gesture was meant for Hiro. And since nobody beside the two of them knew about the meaning behind that gesture most of them thought that it was a signal that he was going to make the cross.
Even Sagan Tosu's players were dumbfounded by Kenta's gesture.
At this moment just as Kenta rushed towards the ball, Hiro too used his skill Lightning Steps to rush towards Kenta.
It was his third time using the skill "Lightning Steps" today. His daily limit was only two. But now that he had surpassed his limit there was bound to be some sort of consequences he'd have to face.
But since he had decided to use that skill, most probably he was prepared to face the aftermath.
Ryotaro who was marking Hiro wasn't expecting Hiro to rush forward either. Thus the moment, he saw Hiro running past him, his eyes widened as he also tried to chase Hiro.
But there were just too many opposing players behind him. Leaving his position meant gifting his opponents opportunity to score another goal.
Thus despite seeing Hiro running past him, he sticked to his place.
Kenta kicked the ball towards the penalty box. Hitting the ball with the inside of his right foot, he supplied a cross towards the box.
However for a moment it seemed like his short lacked the power as before even reaching towards the middle of the box where most of the players were clustered, it's velocity decreased as it started to descend at the outer edge of the penalty box where Hiro was making his run.
Spectators in the stand held on to their breath as they followed the movement of the ball. Anticipation and fear in their eyes, for a while the whole stadium turned silent.
Just then as he reached the ball, Hiro leaped from the ground. Turning his head while making contact with the ball, he headed the ball towards the post.
The ball as it headed towards the post, evaded the reach of many players present in the box.
It was headed to the opposite corner of the post which happened to be the right corner.
The keeper of Sagan Tosu who was positioned at the pole close to the set-piece taker, extended his hands as he leaped towards the direction of ball, hoping to save the ball.
The ball was well within his reach. And for a while it seemed like he could defend that ball as well.
However the next moment the ball changed it's direction. Previously it was headed towards the top right corner.
But in an instant he found the ball in his top left corner.
Clearly someone had touched the ball midway.
"Gooooaaaaallllllll!!!!"
Roared the fans in ecstasy as they jumped from their seats.
Looking at the direction where the ball fell down, Hiro's face was filled with horror. His eyes dull and his expression grim as if he had seen ghost, Hiro was devastated by the outcome.
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