256 Final group match
After Hiro walked out of the pitch with the support of the medics, another player entered the pitch; inturn replacing him.
Not only the people present in the stadium but even his teammates who were seated at the substitution box were looking at Hiro with eyes full of reverence.
Despite leaving the pitch, Hiro didn't stay at the stadium. Instead he was taken to hospital for further checkups.
Shouldering the responsibility left behind by Hiro, Yutaka stepped forward to take the penalty kick.
Yutaka who was appointed as the penalty taker by Hiro didn't let Hiro down as he easily slotted the goal from the spot and registered his first goal in the tournament.
However that goal proved to be the very last goal of Japan and also the last goal of the entire match.
And with that the match finally came to an end and Jordan's misery also finally came to an end. Japan easily defeated Jordan more like they easily obliterated Jordan.
In the LED scoreboard, the final score of the match read as such; Japan U17: 8 and Jordan U17: 0.
After the end of the match while the players of Japan rejoiced their victory, players of other team who were yet to face this abomination of a team called Japan u17 national team after few days, slowly walked out of the stadium carrying a grim expression on their face.
Their eyes filled with horror and their complexion a little ashen, nobody among them dared to think that they could easily beat Japan like before.
Seed of fear had already began to sprout within their heart.
**** ****
About a day has passed since the match with Jordan national u17 team.
Currently inside a spacious room, Hiro was lying on a bed while a person dressed in white coat was examining his legs.
Beside him manager of Japan u17 national team was standing upright, concernedly looking at the examination taking place.
Frowning his brows, everytime when the person in white coat pressed Hiro's legs, as if he was the one who was hurt instead of Hiro, manager Haruki was squinting his eyes while making painful expression.
Everytime when he made those pained expression, wrinkles on his face similar to growth rings on trees was being exposed.
Although Hiro hadn't suffered any serious injuries still unfortunately that bluish red spot where he had taken the hit had started to swell.
"Does it hurt?" Asked the doctor while increasing his pressure on the swelled area. Since the doctor was speaking in chinese, he couldn't understand. Thus he turned to look at manager Haruki.
Surprisingly manager Haruki was fluent in chinese. Even he hadn't known about that matter before.
It was matter of shock when he found about that matter.
Manager Haruki who was fluent in chinese, translated the doctor's words to him.
Until now, while gritting his teeth, Hiro had been trying his best to endure the pain. At the same time he had also been trying his best to hold back himself from screaming in pain.
But now faced with doctor's question, Hiro didn't dare to hide his pain. Thus he answered genuinely, "It... hurts a lot doctor"
He was well aware of the fact that if he answered with such sincerity infront of the manager, his chances of playing in the next game could be reduced.
Even so, he didn't hide his injuries. Hiding his condition from doctor could lead to a disaster in the future.
And he who had already suffered once wasn't willing to risk another suffering.
The doctor then slowly released his pressure and lifted his hand from Hiro's legs.
Facing manager Haruki, he then spoke, "It's just a normal swelling. You don't have to worry about it. With time it'll heal by itself. However considering that he's an important player of your team, I'd suggest to rest him for few games"
Manager Haruki immediately bowed his head thanking the doctor, "Thank you sir"
Speaking such, doctor then turned to leave while the nurse who had been standing beside him started applying some cream on the swelled area.
Despite hearing the words of the doctor, Hiro understood nothing because the doctor was speaking in chinese.
Thus he could only guess.
**** ****
Because of the doctor's suggestion, Hiro was forced to sit out for the next two games.
However even without him, his team still managed to attain victory in both those game. Although they couldn't dominate their opponents like they did when he was playing they still managed to clench victory in both the games.
In their second match with Philippines, they narrowly clenched the victory with a score of 3:2. Likewise in their third match with Vietnam, once again they managed to win the game with one goal lead.
Because of his sudden absence, a lot of audience who had came to see him play had to leave the stadium with a dejected face.
With three wins team Japan was comfortably sitting at the top of the league. With two wins and one loss Vietnam was sitting at the 2nd place right below them. Likewise at the third place Jordan, at fourth place India and at last Philippines.
Despite sitting at the top of the table, they still hadn't managed to secure a spot at the playoffs. Only top team from each league could advance to the playoffs.
And Vietnam who were right behind them were eyeing for their position like hungry hyenas. With two wins and one loss, they hadn't been ruled out of the cometition.
If somehow Japan were to lose and Vietnam were to win with more than 6 goals, in such a scenario Vietnam would advance to the playoffs on the basis of goal-difference.
Thus if Japan wanted to advance to the playoffs they had to either win or draw their last game.
And right now, at one of the stadium Japan's last group match was taking place.
More than 60 minutes had already passed. However the scoresheet remained tied. With each team scoring two goals each, both Japan and India were trying their best to win the game.
Even though India had already been ruled out of the competition, they were putting up their last struggle to stop Japan from advancing forward.
As if they had taken an oath to stop Japan at all cost, even without any real gains, India were playing this match as if it was the last match of their life.
Currently at this very instant after Japan failed to score from their offense, India were counter attacking and the situation was looking very bleak for Japan.
With only Akutsu in the defense almost the entire Japanese team had moved upfield to attack India.
Faced with India's counterattack, Akutsu was carefully retreating while keeping his gaze fixated at all three forwards of India.
His eyes as calm as night sky, his breathing a little hurried, Akutsu wasn't panicking despite finding himself in such tough situation.
Not only was he retreating steadily, he was also forcing the opposing centre forward to move towards the direction he wanted him to move.
Seated at one of the seat in the substitution box, Hiro was carefully observing the situation unfolding infront of his eyes.
Despite seeing his team in such dire situation, there wasn't even a hint of panic in his face.
Infact right now he was analysing the play with a solemn look on his face, 'Akutsu really is top class defender. Even faced with three opponents, it's impressive how he's maintaining his composure. And not only is he maintaining his composure, he's also forcing the opponent to move towards the direction of his will'
While he was analysing the situation unfolding in the pitch, a voice rung in his ear out of nowhere.
"Hiro, go warm up"
It was the voice of manager Haruki.
Turning to look at manager Haruki, Hiro's eyes glowed with excitement. Completely discarding his analysis of the match, he immediately stood up.
Finally after 63 minutes, he had finally got the chance to step on the field.
Just then at the same time, all of a sudden the opposing centre forward sent the ball flying towards the left flank.
He sent a through ball towards the left flank.
Akutsu who had been leading the opposing forward towards the left flank, immediately rushed towards the left flank.
And since his body was already facing the left flank, Akutsu reacted immediately without wasting any time.
Opposing right winger came sprinting towards the flank where the ball had been sent flying.
Looking from afar, it seemed like Akutsu would lose out to the opposing right winger. And he did lose too as opposing right winger got to the ball before him.
However although he lost the battle of speed, he didn't lose the battle of attrition as he still managed to defend the attack.
By performing a sliding tackle, not only did he managed to disrupt the momentum of the opposing team, he also managed to clear the ball away.
All by himself, he managed to defend his goal against three opponents. This showed how capable he was as a defender.
As the ball got out of bounds, assistant referee raised his flags, signalling a throw in.
At the same time, all of a suddenly the stadium erupted with the cheers of the fans.
It wasn't for Akutsu who had managed to put an stop to a threatening counterattack.
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